Christmas decorations hanging on a piece of string

Over the Christmas period, a number of Welsh charities will be selling Welsh-language merchandise in their shops..

Tŷ Gobaith, MacMillan and the NSPCC are part of a charity network led by the Welsh Language Commissioner’s Hybu team. The nework’s aim is to encourage charities to use the Welsh language. and to share good practice with each other. . 

Richard Pugh, Head of Partnerships at Macmillan Cancer Support Cymru, said: 'Macmillan is pleased to be able to offer a range of Welsh Christmas cards to our supporters to raise money. This will help us to support those living with cancer in Wales. We want our supporters and those who need our help to be able to get the assistance they need through the medium of Welsh whenever possible.'

Tŷ Gobaith will also be selling Welsh language Christmas cards, and Kelly Hughes Assistant Fundraiser Officer who works for the charity says that there is an important reason that the charity offers provision in Welsh. 'As a local charity it is very important that we keep close to our local communities, and the Welsh language is one of the ways in which we can do this. Being able to receive help and support in Welsh means the world to our families. Many of our children have communication difficulties, so communicating with them in their first language is very important.'

According to Sian Regan, the NSPCC’s  Development Officer, 'Being able to provide information and services in Welsh is important to the NSPCC in helping us achieve our goal of stopping child abuse and neglect. We’re proud that these letters are available in Welsh, and they are always popular with our supporters.'

Awel Trefor, Senior Hybu Team Officer with the Welsh Language Commissioner said: 'We are delighted to see the charities selling Welsh cards again this year. As we live in Wales, it is important that we are able to buy merchandise in our own language. I would also like to take the opportunity to praise the commitment shown to the Welsh language by the charities within the network during the past year. We look forward to working with them again in future.'

If you work for a charity, and want support from the Welsh Language Commissioner on your Welsh language provision, please do not hesitate to contact hybu@cyg-wlc.wales.