BAVO Staff & Volunteers

Bridgend Association of Voluntary Services (BAVO) is celebrating following commendation from the Welsh Language Commissioner on its Cynnig Cymraeg (Welsh Offer).

Cynnig Cymraeg is the Commissioner's official recognition and is given to organisations that have collaborated with the Commissioner's officers to develop and deliver ambitious Welsh language provision.

BAVO is the third county voluntary council to receive the commendation and it means that they will offer more services bilingually in the future according to the Chief Executive, Heidi Bennett,

"We are delighted to receive this commendation from the Welsh Language Commissioner. For many, this area is predominantly English speaking but there is a strong Welsh culture here, particularly in our valleys communities. We are also committed to offering equal opportunities to those who want to use our services and that means ensuring that they can use their preferred language.

"Our staff have worked diligently with the support of the Commissioner's officers and I am extremely proud of our success."

The organisation has 24 members of staff and over 400 member organisations who source advice and support on a daily basis. The long-term aim is that every element of the service will be provided bilingually.

Since launching the scheme in June 2020, 63 businesses and charities have had their Cynnig Cymraeg recognised, and the Commissioner's office is working with over a hundred other organisations to develop their schemes.

Awel Trefor, Senior Hybu [Promotion] Officer at the Commissioner's office, added,

“The Cynnig Cymraeg scheme gives organisations the opportunity to raise awareness of their Welsh language services. The aim is to see an increase in awareness leading to an increase in the use of Welsh language services. We offer support to those who wish to take it forward and we have been delighted with the response so far.

“BAVO offers a valuable service to many various organisations and individuals in the Bridgend County, and they are to be commended for trying to ensure that everyone has equal access to their services and can do so through the medium of Welsh or English.”  

 

More information on the Cynnig Cymraeg is available here.