Business

Betsan Pearce
Community Translator

Menter Iaith Abertawe is an organisation which promotes and encourages the use of the Welsh language throughout the city of Swansea. The Menter Iaith works in a number of different ways and ensures that the Welsh language is accessible to the whole community. One aspect of the Menter’s work is promoting and increasing bilingualism and the use of the Welsh language in business within the city and county of Swansea. Part of my work as a business officer is to ensure that businesses have the help and support that is needed in achieving these aims. Here in the Menter Iaith, we encourage businesses to take advantage of the opportunities to work bilingually, by giving advice about translating and effective bilingual design as well as the various grants that are available. These grants are funded by the Welsh Language Board, and are available to cover the costs of developing bilingual signs.

We are available for free information and advice on how to achieve instant results and benefit from using Welsh in your business. Even the smallest of changes will have a dramatic effect on your businesses image. Contact Menter Iaith Abertawe on 01792 460906 or e-mail > message

Advice
We can give advice on various aspects of using the Welsh language in business and the workplace. She can come and meet you in the workplace to discuss how you can improve and develop the Welsh language provision in your business. There are many materials and services available to support you through this process.

Grants
There are two different grants available to support the process of creating bilingual material. You can apply for a grant to help with the translating, designing and production costs, and it is available to businesses in the private and voluntary sector that wish to create bilingual material.

Business Grant
The Welsh language Board offer this grant to business and their objective is to “give financial support to organisations wishing to operate bilingually”.
The grant can be used to produce the following:

· booklets
· brochures
· leaflets
· packaging/labels
· posters
· signage
· websites
· banners

A grant of around 30-50% of the total can be awarded, up to a maximum of £1000. Only one application can be made in every financial year.

Sense of Place Scheme
The Wales Tourist Board in partnership with Mentrau Iaith Cymru awards this grant. The main objective of the grant is to promote the provision of bilingual signage by businesses in the private sector. The grant is available for placing new bilingual signage – internally or externally. A grant of 50% is available for eligible projects of over £100 up to a total sum of £1000 to each individual business.

Welsh Lessons
The Department of Adult Continuing Education at the University of Wales, Swansea offer free Welsh lessons to Private Businesses and Voluntary Associations. The courses are tailored to you specific needs and can be held at your workplace. For more information about the lessons, contact Caryl Clement on 01792 513377 or j.c.clement@abertawe.ac.uk.

Translating
We employ a Community Translator who can translate pieces of work for you, including brochures, reports, signage, websites etc. For more information see the Translating page on this website or contact her on 01792 652252, e-mail > message

Other Materials
You can also take advantage of other free materials available to businesses. The Menter has a bilingual open/closed door sign, and the Welsh Language Board have various materials including a counter device and door sticker stating that Welsh is spoken in the business, and badges for Welsh speakers and learners.