Grŵp Llandrillo Menai shines a spotlight on staff commitment to the Welsh Language at annual awards ceremony
The grŵp’s 2025/26 Welsh Language Awards celebrate staff who have shown a commitment to learning Welsh and those that have gone above and beyond in supporting colleagues and students to improve their Welsh language skills.
“Learning Welsh has been an incredible journey so far!. I know there’s still a long road ahead, but I’m excited for every step of it,” said Michelle Crocker, ESOL Lecturer and winner of a Work Welsh Learner of the Year award.
From Coleg Llandrillo’s Principal, Paul Flanagan to dedicated managers, teaching and support staff from across the Grŵp, the 19 winners were recognised recently in an awards ceremony at our Rhos-on-Sea campus.
Paul Flanagan, Principal of Coleg Llandrillo, said: “I’m genuinely honoured to receive an award. Learning Welsh has been both a personal challenge and a privilege - mae’r Gymraeg yn perthyn i ni i gyd - and developing my own confidence has deepened my appreciation of its cultural, social and economic importance to our region.
“At Coleg Llandrillo, we are rooted in our communities; we have a responsibility not only to teach skills and qualifications but also to nurture identity, belonging and opportunity. The Welsh language is central to that. I hope this encourages colleagues and learners alike to take their own steps forward - however small - because every conversation, every lesson and every effort helps strengthen our bilingual culture for the future.”
Our Work Welsh Learners of the Year are all at different stages of their Welsh language journey, attending lessons and seeking out every opportunity to practice, pushing themselves out of their comfort zone to improve their skills.
“Having moved to North Wales in December 2023. I wanted to learn the Welsh language to help me integrate into the community and engage with the culture as much as possible,” said another winner, Health and Social Care Lecturer, Kimberly Farrell.
Other winners are higher level or first language Welsh speakers who go above and beyond to support others in making Grŵp Llandrillo Menai truly bilingual. Our Welsh Champions of the Year are recognised for their dedication to helping others improve and grow in confidence, providing practical support and encouragement for students and colleagues on a daily basis.
“It means a great deal to be recognised, and I’m really proud to play a part in supporting and celebrating the Welsh language across our work within the College,” commented Public Services Lecturer and Welsh Champion, Malcolm Roberts.
Staff members are nominated by their managers, with a panel then selecting the winners.
This year’s panel was chaired by Gwenllian Roberts, Executive Director of Commercial Development and chair of GLLM’s Panel Iaith, and included Aled Jones-Griffith, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai Chief Executive; Angharad Roberts, Director of Bilingual Development, Learning Resources and Skills; Siân Pritchard, Sgiliaith, Bilingual Development and Equality Manager; and Gwenan Roberts, Welsh Language Tutor.
This year’s winners are:
Work Welsh Learners of the Year - Management
James Nelson
Sharon Bowker
Paul Flanagan
Gavin Jones
Welsh Champions of the Year
Rhian Owena Hughes
Malcolm Roberts
Work Welsh Learners of the Year - Teaching Staff
Kimberly Farrell
Tudor Morris
Tom Parry
Cara Baker
Collette McDowell
Lynne Moody
Michelle Crocker
Work Welsh Learners of the Year - Support Staff
Leon Arndt
Lisa Nobbs
Heather Evans
Suzanne Jones-Roberts
James Penney
Elisabeth Kettlewell
The winners were congratulated by Gwenllian Roberts, Director of Commercial Development and chair of GLLM Panel Iaith, and presented with a book and framed print by Cardiff-based artist, author and Welsh learner, Joshua Morgan, known as Sketchy Welsh.
Gwenllian said: “As the main deliverer of bilingual provision in further education across Wales today, we as a Grŵp take great pride in the effort and dedication our staff put into using and improving their Welsh language skills.
“It’s a great pleasure to be a part of these awards. Not only do they shine a spotlight on the innovative ways our incredible staff are embedding Welsh into their work on a daily basis, this ceremony also highlights our commitment to nurturing the next generation of Welsh speakers. From creating bilingual resources, providing supportive environments for colleagues and students to practice, and hosting celebrations of Welsh culture, we are making sure that our learners have the skills and confidence to use Welsh not just in the classroom but in all areas of their lives.
“We’d like to say a big thank you to all of our staff who are learning Welsh and the colleagues that are supporting them on their journey. You are all key to our success as Grŵp Llandrillo Menai strives to create a stage where the Welsh language is not just present, but celebrated. We are proud of you all.”
Angharad Roberts, Director of Bilingual Development, Learning Resources and Skills, said: "We are immensely proud of the strides our staff have made, from those beginning their Welsh language journey to the champions who weave Cymraeg into the fabric of our daily operations. Their commitment has a direct, positive impact on our learners, creating a supportive environment where the language is lived, not just taught. These awards celebrate our role as a trailblazer for bilingual delivery in the FE sector and reinforce our unwavering commitment to the Welsh Government's ambition of reaching a million Welsh speakers."
