In September 2022, Abertillery resident Daniel Minty decided to learn Welsh, recognising it as potentially beneficial. When his small business ended last year, he found himself in need of a new job. Menter Iaith Casnewydd was advertising a position for an officer to create opportunities within the community to speak Welsh. Despite initial apprehension, but with ample support from his tutors, Daniel applied and secured the role.
“I applied for the post impulsively, thinking my Welsh learning journey might not be sufficient to work in a Welsh-speaking environment. I lacked the confidence to converse in Welsh five days a week with native speakers. My tutors encouraged me, and I attended my first-ever Welsh interview. It was the most Welsh I'd ever spoken, and as a result, they chose me to be the new Community Development Officer," stated Daniel. “Without my tutors, I would never have reached this point. Now, although still learning, I'm in a place of deep gratitude and aim to inspire others to take the leap.”
Daniel was honoured as the Welsh Learner of the Year at an awards ceremony at Sbarc Cardiff on 3rd July 2024.
Daniel actively engages with the community through his Facebook page where he organises events for Welsh speakers and learners to practice the language. These include bi-weekly dog-walking meetups at Tredegar Park (on the 2nd and 4th Sundays), along with sharing inspiring stories and his positive outlook. He has many more plans for the future.
Congratulations, Daniel, on this year's triumph and your remarkable achievements over the past two years. We eagerly anticipate what you will achieve next.
To follow in Daniel’s footsteps and learn more about the opportunities available for learning Welsh, visit the Learn Welsh link: