Plans to establish a Welsh-medium school at Builth Wells have been approved by Powys councillors, amid growing concerns that Welsh-language pupils are let down by mixed language education. The decision, made on March 25, 2025, comes following a report that highlighted significant issues with the current level of Welsh language educational provision.
The proposed plans detail that the school, affiliated with Ysgol Calon Cymru, will transition to a Welsh-only language setting by 2029. Students currently learning in English will move to a newly redeveloped campus in Llandrindod Wells, situated eight miles away. The report attached to the council's decision cited worries about the curriculum's limitations for Welsh-speaking students, indicating that the variety of subjects available in Welsh “varies significantly.”
Iwan Price, a Welsh speaker from Llanwrtyd Wells, shared his long-standing frustration regarding the lack of Welsh-medium secondary education. Price has had to make an 80-mile round trip to attend a Welsh secondary school in Carmarthenshire, recounting that "37 years to this day, we are still waiting for a Welsh-medium high school in Brecon and Radnor." He expressed enthusiasm over the new plans and emphasized how important this would be for his children, saying that such a school would provide them the opportunity to be fluent in both Welsh and English.
However, not everyone is in favor of the developments. Rhys Field, a local butcher, voiced his opposition to the logistics of transporting students from Builth Wells to Llandrindod for learning in English, stating, "Nobody speaks Welsh around here anymore, nobody is calling for a new Welsh school. And what about the additional costs of buses to take kids to Llandrindod and back?"
Elwyn Vaughan, the leader of the council’s Plaid Cymru group, acknowledged the community's longstanding desire for adequate Welsh-medium education in the area. He stated that the decision would curb the need for children to travel great distances for their education in Welsh.
Simultaneously, an initiative aiming to bolster Welsh language mental health support has been launched, led by Mind Cymru. The campaign coincides with a report by various health inspectors that pointed out an “overall lack” of Welsh language mental health services across Wales, particularly affecting children and young people. High-profile endorsements from the likes of actress Rhys ap William and Welsh politicians Sioned Williams and Llyr Gruffydd have brought attention to this urgent need.
This initiative has drawn on personal stories such as that of Elen Jones, who began experiencing depression and anxiety symptoms at the young age of 16. She spoke candidly about her past struggles with language barriers when seeking help, stating, "In the end, I did manage to get some support, but it was with an English medium counsellor, as they were the only one available, but I didn’t really benefit from it." Jones noted that her confidence in expressing herself is much higher when speaking Welsh, highlighting the importance of personal language choice when it comes to mental health care.
In a statement, Rhys ap William expressed the importance of being able to access mental health services in Welsh, echoing sentiments that need to be addressed, especially in rural communities where Welsh is the primary language. He noted, "The response to our storyline was overwhelming, and made me realise the reach we have into all parts of Wales, especially rural Wales, where the Welsh language is the mother tongue of many."
Mind Cymru has proactively launched the Cynnig Cymraeg initiative, set out in partnership with the Welsh Language Commissioner’s Office, providing a plethora of mental health resources tailored for Welsh speakers. Julian John, the associate director of Mind Cymru Operations, reinforced the organization’s commitment, stating, "We know how difficult taking that first step towards better mental health can be. The provision of information, advice and services through the medium of Welsh is inconsistent across Wales. This is why we are reminding people there is access to Welsh language mental health services - to make sure as many people as possible in Wales are able to get the support they need, in the language they speak."
This confluence of initiatives reflects a growing recognition of the importance of Welsh language support in education and mental health services. As the Powys Council advances its educational strategy, it appears to coincide perfectly with Mind Cymru's campaign for enhanced mental health services in the Welsh language. For communities in Powys and beyond, both developments could represent significant steps towards better support for Welsh-speaking individuals.
