When we break down language barriers, we clear the path to potential.
It is impossible to overstate why mentoring in Welsh remains essential for social mobility, especially in a nation where identity and opportunity intertwine so deeply. Consequently, we at Brightside recognise that if a young person is to envision their future truly, they must first feel empowered to discuss it in their preferred language.
Why Linguistic Inclusion Matters
To address this need, Brightside fully supports the Welsh language on our mentoring platform. We do not simply provide a literal translation; rather, we foster a genuine sense of belonging. By actively removing the “linguistic ceiling,” we ensure that every mentee navigates their career journey with confidence. Ultimately, this approach transforms a mentee’s mother tongue into a bridge toward success instead of a barrier.
Building on Solid Foundations
The development of our bilingual platform certainly did not happen by accident. On the contrary, we built a space that fully supports the Welsh language because of the generous contributions and shared vision of our partners, Reaching Wider Mentoring.
Built-In, Not Bolted On
Furthermore, we refuse to treat this feature as a “nice-to-have” add-on or an optional extra. Instead, we have baked linguistic support directly into the very design of the platform. Consequently, when users navigate their mentoring journey in their mother tongue, they feel at ease from the very first click.
Deepening the Impact
Moreover, by actively removing the barrier of translation, we allow conversations to reach a much deeper level. As a result, mentors and mentees build trust faster, which ultimately ensures that the impact of the program lasts much longer.
Not a “Feature,” but a Necessity
Often, bilingualism is framed as a luxury in the professional world, but the data tells a different story. There is a documented, tangible demand for Welsh-language services, and that demand is growing year on year.
Look at the impact of MentorAcc:
- 32% of mentees specifically chose Welsh as their preferred language.
- 164 active users across just two partners are currently thriving by engaging entirely in Welsh.
These statistics prove that young people in Wales want to use their Welsh in a professional context. When mentoring “hits the mark,” it’s because the mentor and mentee can focus on progress and growth, rather than wrestling with how to translate their thoughts from one language to another.
A Future Moving Forward
Progress in professional spaces should move in only one direction: forward. We cannot talk about Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) or Social Mobility without accounting for linguistic identity. Being truly inclusive means respecting the culture and the “voice” of everyone in the community.
We are now looking for new partners across Wales who share this vision. We want to scale this impact and ensure that language never acts as a ceiling on a young person’s potential or a barrier to their ambition.
Join us in keeping this momentum going.
Yma mae paragraff agoriadol grymus i’r erthygl Gymraeg, gan ddefnyddio’r ymadrodd allweddol i wneud yr effaith fwyaf bosibl:
Mae mentora yn Gymraeg yn ffactor hollbwysig wrth sicrhau bod pob person ifanc yng Nghymru yn cael y dechrau gorau posibl mewn bywyd. Yn Brightside, rydym yn deall bod gallu cyfathrebu yn eich mamiaith yn meithrin hyder ac yn dyfnhau’r berthynas fentora, a dyna pam mae ein llwyfan yn cefnogi’r iaith Gymraeg yn llwyr. Drwy gynnig gofod lle mae’r Gymraeg yn ganolog, rydym yn chwalu rhwystrau ieithyddol ac yn sicrhau bod hunaniaeth ddiwylliannol yn dod yn rhan o’r daith tuag at lwyddiant proffesiynol, gan agor drysau i gyfleodd newydd heb gyfyngiadau.
Adeiladu ar Sylfeini Cadarn
Nid damwain oedd datblygiad ein llwyfan dwyieithog. Trwy gyfraniadau hael a gweledigaeth ein partneriaid, Reaching Wider Mentoring, llwyddon ni i greu gofod sy’n cefnogi’r iaith Gymraeg yn gyfan gwbl. Nid nodwedd ychwanegol neu “optional extra” yw hon; mae’n rhan o gynllun y tŷ.
Mae’r gallu i lywio taith fentora yn y famiaith yn caniatáu i ddefnyddwyr deimlo’n gartrefol o’r eiliad gyntaf un. Pan fo’r rhwystrau iaith yn diflannu, mae’r sgwrs yn dyfnhau, ac mae’r effaith yn para’n hwy.
Nid “Braf i’w Gael”, ond Anghenraid
Yn aml, clywn fod dwyieithrwydd yn “rhywbeth braf i’w gael” mewn byd proffesiynol, ond mae’r data’n dweud stori wahanol iawn. Mae gwir alw wedi’i ddogfennu am wasanaethau Cymraeg, ac mae’r galw hwnnw’n cynyddu bob blwyddyn.
Edrychwch ar effaith MentorAcc:
- 32% o fentoreion a ddewisodd y Gymraeg yn benodol fel eu hiaith dethol.
- 164 o ddefnyddwyr gweithgar ar draws dau bartner yn unig sy’n ffynnu trwy ymrwymo’n gyfan gwbl drwy’r Gymraeg.
Mae’r ystadegau hyn yn profi bod pobl ifanc Cymru eisiau defnyddio’u Cymraeg mewn cyd-destun proffesiynol. Pan fo mentora’n “taro deg”, mae hynny oherwydd bod y mentor a’r mentoree yn gallu canolbwyntio ar y cynnydd, heb orfod poeni am drosi meddyliau o un iaith i’r llall.
Dyfodol sy’n symud Ymlaen
Dylai cynnydd mewn mannau proffesiynol symud tuag at un cyfeiriad yn unig: ymlaen. Ni allwn siarad am amrywiaeth, tegwch a chynhwysiant (EDI) heb gynnwys hunaniaeth ieithyddol yn y sgwrs honno. Mae bod yn gynhwysol yn golygu parchu diwylliant a llais pawb sy’n rhan o’r gymuned.
Rydym nawr yn chwilio am bartneriaid newydd ledled Cymru sy’n rhannu ein gweledigaeth. Rydym eisiau ehangu’r effaith hon a sicrhau na fydd iaith byth yn rwystr i botensial person ifanc, nac yn nenfwd i’w uchelgais.
Ymunwch â ni i gynnal y momentwm.
