Welsh Language Policy

Our Welsh Language Mission Statement:

At M-SParc, the Welsh language is part of who we are, it shapes our community and helps us ignite ambition. By placing the language at the heart of our work, we show that innovation can be powered by both culture and technology.

THE WAY WE COMMUNICATE – IGNITING CONNECTIONS

Our commitment:

At M-SParc, the Welsh language is part of our DNA. We use it naturally, confidently, and proudly in everything we do, from daily conversations to world leading innovations. We see bilingualism as a strength, it helps make our work more creative, more inclusive, and more connected. We value people’s choice to engage with us in Welsh or English, and we will always make the Welsh language a visible, proactive option in the way we work.

How we deliver this day-to-day:

1. Written correspondence

1.1 We welcome written correspondence in Welsh and English. If we receive correspondence in Welsh, we will always reply in Welsh.

1.2 We believe in the active offer, our correspondence will clearly state that we welcome communication in Welsh, and doing so will not lead to delay.

1.3 We actively look for opportunities to bring the Welsh language into everyday communication and engagement by using Welsh greetings and signoffs on all correspondence including when the main content is in English. This means our bilingual culture is visible and that we are authentic in all we do.

1.4 All staff will have bilingual email signatures and out of office messages.

2. Over the telephone

2.1 All callers will be greeted in Welsh, and encouraged to continue in their language of choice. Where a member of staff cannot handle the enquiry confidently in Welsh, callers will be offered the option of transferring to a Welsh speaking colleague.

3. Website and digital platforms

3.1 Our website and digital platforms will be fully bilingual by design, ensuring seamless navigation and user experience in both Welsh and English. A prominent language toggle will be available to ensure visitors are provided with an active offer.

3.2 Any new technology, app, or digital system we develop or commission will be bilingual from the outset, ensuring the Welsh language is designed in, not added on.

4. Social media

4.1 All M-SParc anchor content will be in Welsh and English, with the Welsh usually appearing first.

4.2 We will use Welsh creatively and confidently on our channels, showing that it belongs in everyday, modern, and tech driven conversations.

4.3 When we re-post third party content, our comments will be published bilingually.

4.4 When someone comments on our social media post and we feel we need to reply, we will do so in Welsh and English.

4.5 When someone contacts us directly in Welsh on social media, we will reply in Welsh as we would with any other form of correspondence.

5. Brand and identity

5.1 Our brand is naturally bilingual. From our visual identity, tone of voice, and storytelling it reflects our bilingual culture and ensures the language will always sit at the heart of our brand.

5.2 We will showcase Welsh in a modern, creative way that reflects our role in shaping the future of innovation in Wales and expanding its use in our sector.

6. Publications and promotional material

6.1 All public facing publications, forms, and promotional materials will be available in Welsh and English, with a preference for single bilingual documents set in a ‘tilt and turn’ format or in a way which the Welsh Language is likely to be read first. Where that is not possible, Welsh and English versions will be available at the same time.

6.2 Welsh language publications and collateral will always be clear, natural, and authentic.

7. Media activity

7.1 All press and media releases will be issued bilingually, and we will proactively engage with Welsh and English language media outlets.

7.2 Reactive media statements will be issued in the language of the publication.

7.3 Wherever possible, we will offer Welsh speakers for media interviews, positioning M-SParc as a bilingual thought leader in science, technology, and entrepreneurship.

8. Engagement

8.1 We will make the Welsh language central to how we engage with partners, tenants and communities so that everyone feels welcome and represented.

8.2 When we arrange events, conferences or meetings which are open to the public, we will ensure Welsh is fully included by:

• Promoting the conference, event or meeting in Welsh and English
• Issuing bilingual invitations and registration forms
• Providing simultaneous translation in main plenary sessions, and where appropriate in any workshop or breakout discussion. We will ensure enough Welsh speaking staff are present at informal community events
• Ensuring exhibition or consultation materials are always bilingual

8.3 All written engagement or consultation materials will be produced in Welsh and English.

8.4 We will encourage and support our tenants and partners to embrace Welsh in their own communications, branding, and events, by offering guidance and resources.

8.5 We will deliver workshops, outreach, and STEM engagement opportunities in Welsh, or bilingually, wherever possible, ensuring the next generation sees Welsh as a language of innovation and opportunity.

9. Spaces and Signage

9.1 Our reception will always have a Welsh speaker on hand to ensure visitors receive a warm Welsh welcome, our Welsh speakers and learners will also wear ‘iaith gwaith’ badges to make them easily identifiable.

9.2 All internal and external signage will be bilingual and designed with equal prominence. We will also ensure that our commercial partners adopt this principle in ‘Tanio’.

9.3 Our shared spaces will reflect and celebrate our bilingual culture, making it visible to everyone who visits M-SParc.

THE WAY WE SUPPORT AND DEVELOP COLLEAGUES – IGNITING CONFIDENCE

Our commitment:

At M-SParc, we see bilingualism as a strength helping to spark creativity, build inclusivity, and connect us with our community. We will make space for the Welsh language to thrive by supporting every colleague to develop their language skills and confidence. We will celebrate progress at every level, recognising that every word and every effort makes a difference.

How we deliver this day to day:

10. Recruitment

10.1 Welsh speaking staff are integral to delivering our commitments and ensuring the language is part of daily life at M-SParc.

• Before advertising a role, we will consider whether Welsh language skills are essential or desirable and be transparent about this in the job description. We will be clear about the level of skills needed and the support available.
• All job adverts, descriptions, and recruitment campaigns will be bilingual, and we will actively target Welsh speakers.
• Candidates will always be able to apply in Welsh or English.
• Interviews will be conducted in Welsh where roles have been classed as being ‘Welsh Essential’.

11. Awareness

11.1 We want every colleague to feel part of our bilingual culture.

• All staff will be supported to adopt bilingual ways of working and to promote the Welsh language as a natural part of M-SParc life.
• Welsh language and cultural awareness training will be offered to everyone, ensuring our team understands not just the “how” but the “why” of bilingualism.

12. Training and Development

12.1 We will spark confidence for staff to learn and improve their Welsh and to keep building their skills over time.

• We will keep a record of our staff’s Welsh language ability and opportunities to learn Welsh, from taster sessions to advanced courses will be available, with time and support given to attend.
• We will encourage colleagues to practise and use Welsh in a safe, supportive environment, where making mistakes is seen as part of the learning journey, this includes when corresponding with colleagues internally.
• Buddies and Welsh champions within the team will be recognised and celebrated for supporting others.
• Induction for new staff will include training on this policy and practical guidance on how to work bilingually at M-SParc.

13. Support

13.1 We want the quality of our Welsh to reflect the quality of our organisation.

• Where needed, we will commission qualified translators and interpreters who can provide a high quality, consistent service.
• We will never rely on unverified machine translation. Any digital tools we use will be checked by a suitably skilled member of staff or translator.
• No colleague will be expected to act as a translator or proofreader unless it is part of their role and they are qualified to do so.
• Translated material will always meet the same high standards as the original, with clarity, meaning, and tone consistent across both languages.

THE WAY WE INFLUENCE OTHERS – IGNITING PASSION

Our commitment:

M-SParc is more than a building – we’re a community and a catalyst. The Welsh language is part of how we shape that community, inspire others in our sector, and lead by example. We believe that using Welsh in science, technology, and entrepreneurship helps to normalise the language in spaces where it hasn’t always been visible, and makes our sector stronger, more inclusive, and more distinctive.

How we deliver this day to day:

14. Supporting Our Tenants

14.1 We will actively encourage our tenants to embrace Welsh in their own work, from branding and signage to digital content and events.

14.2 We will celebrate and showcase tenant companies who use Welsh creatively and authentically, positioning them as role models within our community.

14.3 We will, where appropriate, provide practical support and guidance for tenants who wish to increase their use of the Welsh Language and incorporate the language into their operations in a practical way.

15. Shaping the Sector

15.1 We will use our platform to influence the wider innovation, business support and technology ecosystem in Wales, highlighting that bilingualism is modern, professional and future facing.

15.2 By embedding Welsh into new industries like green energy, creative technology, and digital entrepreneurship, we will help make the language part of tomorrow’s opportunities as well as today’s.

15.3 When we deliver projects, we will ensure activity aligns with the principles of this policy and use those platforms to share our learning and best practice with partners, funders, and networks, ensuring that the Welsh language is seen as an enabler of growth and creativity, not a barrier.

16. Inspiring the Next Generation

16.1 We will continue to deliver STEM engagement, outreach, and mentoring opportunities in Welsh, ensuring young people see the language as a natural part of innovation and discovery.

16.2 We will champion Welsh as a language of ambition, showing future innovators that they don’t need to choose between global opportunity and local identity.

THE WAY WE EMBED THE LANGUAGE – IGNITING IMPACT

Our commitment:

At M-SParc, the Welsh language isn’t an add on, it’s a thread that runs through all our plans, projects, and initiatives. We will make sure that every policy, programme and idea we develop reflects the commitments in this policy, and nothing we deliver will undermine our ambition to see Welsh thrive at the heart of innovation.

How we deliver this day to day:

17. Considering Impact

17.1 Before launching any new project, policy, or way of working, we will ask ourselves a simple question: what does this mean for the Welsh language?

• Every initiative will be assessed for its impact on people’s ability to use Welsh and to ensure it is never treated less favourably than English.
• We will look for ways to design activity so that it creates positive effects for Welsh, and we will avoid decisions that could have negative impacts.
• Where projects go out to consultation, we will ask openly for views on their impact on Welsh, so that community voices shape how we move forward.

18. Monitoring and Reporting

18.1 We will review our Welsh language activity each year, looking at what we’ve achieved and where we can do more.

18.2 We will listen to feedback from colleagues, tenants, and partners to understand their experiences of our bilingual culture.

18.3 We will share our progress openly, celebrating success and learning from challenges, so that the Welsh language continues to thrive at the heart of our innovative community.

19. Feedback

19.1 We would love to hear when we ignite success, and we want to know when we can do better. Feedback on our use of the Welsh language is part of how we grow and improve. By listening and learning, we can keep building a service that is bilingual, creative, and inclusive at every level.