Starting Out - Welsh Beginner Award

Tom Dyer turned the pandemic into an opportunity to try something new. “When Covid came along and I was made redundant, I decided to move back from Cardiff to Haverfordwest to help my sister homeschool my niece. I thought Covid would blow over quite quickly,” says Tom. Tom’s sister was a keyworker, so he quickly took over the reins of the homeschooling. During online lessons, he was busy thinking what he could do next. He had worked at Tenovus Cancer Care as the lead for the ‘Activate Your Life’ programme, which uses the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help anyone affected by cancer.

“My sister and I decided to release short videos on Facebook to help people cope in lockdown. I wanted to use the principles of ACT to help people get through lockdown. It’s all about finding your values, accepting what you can’t change but committing to who you want to be now and in the future.” From Monday to Thursday, a new video would drop at lunchtime with a singalong music item on a Friday evening and the duo soon attracted the attention of Pure West Radio.

“We got in touch to tell them about our Facebook item, and they offered us a show. We both started presenting early breakfast which was brilliant fun.” Tom has now been presenting a show for over two years. Early on, the station asked him if he would consider learning Welsh as part of a fast-track programme with Dysgu Cymraeg Sir Benfro. “This is what got me started learning Welsh but it’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” says Tom. “I’ve basically done four years’ worth of learning in two so it’s quite intense. Luckily, my girlfriend Helen, is first language Welsh. It’s good to be able to have conversations in Welsh with someone outside of lessons.” Tom has passed the first level ‘Mynediad’ and his ‘Sylfaen’ level and will advance to ‘Canolradd’ in September. He always tries to incorporate Welsh phrases and culture into his radio show: “I always try to weave little phrases into the show. We greet people in English and Welsh, and I do a 10-minute item called ‘Welsh Phrase of the Week’.”

He has also been keeping a video diary so he can share his progress and encourage others to learn and is committed to his own learning. “I am someone who grasps opportunities. In many ways, Covid created opportunities for me. I was lucky that I didn’t lose anyone, or that anyone close to me was very unwell, but I don’t think I’d be learning Welsh if I hadn’t been made redundant.” Tomos Hopkins, Welsh tutor at Dysgu Cymraeg Sir Benfro, says: “Tom has an enthusiasm for the Welsh language which is incredibly infectious. And he’s now bringing it to a new audience with his radio show which is a massive benefit to the language.”