Disability Sport Wales's Cynnig Cymraeg

Disability Sport Wales (DSW) are a charity that help disabled people benefit from sport and physical activity. Ensuring disabled people are as likely to enjoy physical activity as non-disabled people.  

What Welsh-language services do you offer?

We are committed to offering bilingual services wherever possible. This includes communicating in Welsh across our website, social media channels and marketing materials, as well as delivering bilingual programmes. We encourage and support staff to use Welsh in their day-to-day work, and we ensure that participants can engage with our services in Welsh if they choose. We are proud to support the sector through Disability Inclusion Training, which is available free of charge in Welsh.

Why is using Welsh important to the organisation and to the sports sector more generally?

The Welsh language is a fundamental part of Wales’s identity and culture. For us, using Welsh is about inclusion, respect and opportunity. In the sports sector, language can be a powerful engagement tool, helping individuals feel comfortable and confident. Promoting Welsh supports community cohesion and ensures that sport is genuinely accessible to everyone, through their language of choice.

Describe the process of preparing a Welsh Language Development Plan, from the decision to prepare a plan to receiving recognition from the Commissioner.

Our journey began with a clear commitment to strengthening our Welsh-language provision. We assessed our current use of Welsh, identified areas for improvement, and consulted with staff and stakeholders. From there, we developed a Welsh Language Development Plan, setting out practical actions and achievable goals. This included staff training, increasing consistent bilingual content, and embedding Welsh into our programmes.

Why was it important to receive the Cynnig Cymraeg? What are the benefits for you?

Receiving Cynnig Cymraeg recognition was a meaningful milestone for us. It validates our commitment and provides a framework and steps for continuous improvement. It also signals to our partners, participants and communities that we take the Welsh language seriously. The process has strengthened our internal culture and given us greater confidence in delivering bilingual services.

What are the benefits of offering Welsh-medium services to your service users?

Offering services in Welsh creates a more inclusive and welcoming environment. For many people, it is also about identity – being able to take part in sport through the medium of Welsh is empowering and meaningful.

Can you share a recent example of good Welsh-language use?

A recent example of our commitment to the Welsh language is our presence at key cultural events across Wales, including the Urdd Eisteddfod, the Royal Welsh Show, and Tafwyl. These events are central to Welsh culture and provide an ideal platform to ensure that inclusive sport is visible, accessible, and delivered through the medium of Welsh.

At each event, we created welcoming and inclusive activity spaces where disabled people of all ages could take part in sport and physical activity sessions delivered bilingually, with Welsh playing a leading role.
Another example is the ongoing development of our trilingual coaching resource. Designed to support inclusive coaching across Wales and beyond, this resource is available in Welsh, English and British Sign Language, with read-aloud and phonetic translations. The resource ensures that language is placed directly ‘on the field’ with coaches and deliverers across Wales, enabling them to deliver sessions in all three languages with greater confidence.

Would you encourage others to apply for the Cynnig Cymraeg, and why?

Absolutely. The process is excellent and effective. It helps organisations reflect on their practices, engage more meaningfully with communities, and contribute to the growth of the Welsh language.

Do you have any advice for other organisations considering working towards the Cynnig Cymraeg?

Start small and be realistic. Look at where you are now and build from there. Engage with your wider team and create a supportive environment for learning Welsh or for using more of their Welsh. Ask for guidance when needed and remember that every step forward makes a difference – see it as an opportunity to strengthen and share your programmes with a wider audience.