Jodie Evans, an area manager at St Aubin Nurseries & Out of School Clubs, has today been named the winner of the 2026 Caring in Welsh award at an event at Y Garreg Las National Eisteddfod.
The Caring in Welsh award is an annual event, which recognises and celebrates care workers who provide excellent care and support through the medium of Welsh.
An area manager for nine nurseries and out-of-school childcare clubs across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, Jodie won the award for creating a fully bilingual environment where the Welsh language is valued and visible.
Under Jodie’s guidance, the nurseries and childcare clubs have become an inclusive environment for children and families from Welsh speaking and non-Welsh speaking homes.
Jodie was nominated for the award by Megan Morris, who works with Jodie through her role at Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs.
Jodie was one of three individuals from across Wales chosen as finalists for the award by an expert panel of judges, which included Gwenllian Lansdown Davies, Chief Executive of Dysgu, and Ellen Thirsk, Chief Executive of Antur Waunfawr.
Jodie was chosen as the award winner through a public vote, which saw almost 3,200 people voting.
She received her award at a lunchtime ceremony earlier today in the Welsh Government tent at Y Garreg Las National Eisteddfod in Pembrokeshire.
The other finalists, who were also present at the award ceremony and were highly commended by the judges, were:
- Owain Simpson, an operational manager at children’s residential care organisation Enfys Care, who was nominated for being a passionate advocate for Welsh language care
- Sian Francis, ICAN Connector at KIM Inspire, who provides community mental health support through the medium of Welsh in rural south Denbighshire, where she supports around 250 people each year.
Sarah McCarty, Chief Executive of Social Care Wales, said: “Many congratulations to Jodie and all our highly commended finalists!
“Being able to receive care and support from someone who can speak your language is an important part of receiving dignified, high-quality care.
“This year’s award highlights fantastic examples of inspiring and dedicated care workers who are providing excellent care through the medium of Welsh. The finalists all demonstrate the positive impact this makes to people’s lives.
“We’d encourage all care workers to use the Welsh they have at work, and we have lots of resources to help you develop and improve your Welsh to support the provision of services in people’s language of choice.”
