Setting the (Welsh language) standard

This week, all housing associations in Wales received the Welsh Language Standards regulations which set out draft Standards that we’ll need to comply with when they come into force.

These have been a long time coming, but they’re here and out for consultation.

For some associations, this will be a significant change. However, this is a great opportunity for the sector to shape services for tenants right across Wales, to make sure that tenants receive a service in the language of their choice. And key to this is collaboration – working together across county boundaries and housing associations to share ideas and resources.

Other sectors are already complying with Welsh Language Standards and these set of regulations will mean that more organisations will need to comply – with the aim of contributing to Welsh Government’s target of reaching a million Welsh speakers in Wales by 2050.

We’re in a strong position at Adra as we have a clear Welsh Language Scheme in place. We have a Welsh Language Charter and Language Champions across the organisation, fully supported by our Board, directors and heads of service.

We’ve made a firm commitment to providing information and services completely bilingual.  It’s part of our culture. We take great pride in this and it puts us in a strong position.

However, there is always room for improvement and we’ll look at the Standards as a bit of a health and sense check, but also look at what we need to do to improve services further.  Resting on our laurels is not an option.