Celebrating Shwmae Day!

Earlier this year, our CEO Bethan Evans, shared her thoughts on the importance of the Welsh Active Offer in delivering truly person-centred care within care homes across Wales. For Welsh-speaking residents, being able to use their first language should not be a request, it should be a core component of their everyday care.

The Active Offer means providing Welsh language services proactively, without residents or their families needing to ask. For many individuals, especially older people or those living with cognitive decline, the Welsh language is not just a means of communication, it is deeply connected to their identity, history and sense of belonging.

At our care homes, we believe that promoting the Welsh language, culture and heritage, even in small ways, can make a big difference to residents’ well-being.

That’s why we were proud to take part in Shwmae Day last Wednesday,15th October.

Shwmae Day (or Su’mae Day) is an annual celebration that encourages everyone in Wales to start conversations in Welsh. A simple “Shwmae!” meaning "Hello" or "How are you?“ can open the door to deeper connection, pride and cultural inclusion.

To celebrate the day, residents and staff across our homes got involved in a variety of fun activities, including:

• Making Welsh cakes

• Colouring and craft sessions inspired by Welsh themes

• A visit to a local Welsh castle

• Singing traditional Welsh songs

• Using Welsh words and phrases throughout the day

It was wonderful to see so many smiles and hear so many voices using the Welsh language. The day was filled with laughter, learning and a shared sense of pride in Welsh heritage.

Celebrating Shwmae Day reminds us how meaningful it is to embrace and support the language and culture that matters most to the people we care for.

Diolch yn fawr to everyone who took part – we look forward to next year!