Ask Marie-Pascale

Mental Health Support Worker, Marie-Pascale, recently completed a Learn Welsh course at Nant Gwrtheyrn.

The course was developed by the National Centre for Learning Welsh and is part of the Centre's comprehensive range of services for the Health and Social Care sector. It was created to support the Welsh Government's 'More than just words' ('Mwy na Geiriau') strategy, which aims to provide healthcare services through the medium of Welsh.

Marie-Pascale tells us about her experience at Nant Gwrtheyrn.

Tell us a bit about yourself...

I'm Marie-Pascale. I'm from Nigeria. I now live in Bangor. I work at Ysbyty Bryn y Neuadd Hospital in Llanfairfechan as a Mental Health Support Worker.

What inspired you to start learning Welsh?

I speak a little bit of Welsh. Most of the patients speak Welsh, and I want to learn because I want to communicate with them in their own language. It gives you a bond with the patient. I love culture, it is very important to me, and I believe language is at its heart. A culture without a language is a culture without a heart.

How was the course at Nant Gwrtheyrn?

The environment was wonderful. Everyone was very supportive, encouraging me to speak Welsh. It's a quiet, calm, beautiful place to learn. I want to come here again.

How will you use your Welsh at work?

I have always been passionate about speaking Welsh with patients. I already use Welsh greetings at work, but I would like to learn at a more advanced level so that I can communicate fluently and support patients with their needs through the medium of Welsh. Patients always appreciate it when you speak to them in their first language.