A group of talented Cardiff and Vale University Health Board staff have received recognition for artwork they have created to celebrate the Welsh language and culture.
Implemented by the Health Board’s Welsh Language team and Employee Health and Wellbeing Service in partnership with Cardiff & Vale Health Charity, the inaugural CAV Eisteddfod competition invited Health Board employees to submit artwork represent ‘A Place of Happiness’.
Submissions were received across a variety of media depicting physical locations across Wales and in people’s neighbourhoods, as well as mental spaces used to support wellbeing.
A panel of judges chose the following four winners:
- Joanna Waring, Dementia Research Nurse, UHL – Drawing and Print
- Dr Nichola Norman, Senior Biomedical Scientist, UHL – Embroidery
- Stephen Thomas, Laboratory Technical Officer, UHW – Photography
- John German, Supply Chain Officer, UHL – Written Word
Part of the Health Board’s Meddwl Cymraeg – Think Welsh campaign, which encourages use of the Welsh language and promotes Welsh culture and heritage, the competition observed the tradition of hosting smaller, local competitions to celebrate the National Eisteddfod.
The CAV Eisteddfod winners were presented trophies and £50 Amazon vouchers funded by Cardiff & Vale Health Charity.
Simone Joslyn, Head of Arts and Health Charity, said: “We have seen through our arts programme how engaging in the arts can have a huge positive impact on our wellbeing, so we were pleased to support this competition for our staff who have dealt with so much during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There is a talented and active arts community among our workforce so it was no surprise to see a number of high quality submissions for this competition. I’d like to thank everyone who took part and congratulate our winners, who all fully deserve the prizes that as a Health Charity we were delighted to fund.”
Nicky Bevan, Head of Employee Wellbeing, said: “Our staff do a fantastic job of caring for our patients, but having been under severe pressure for an extended period of time as we head into what we anticipate will be another challenging winter, it’s equally important that they look after their own wellbeing.
“Engaging in activities such as the arts can be a really effective tool for managing our mental health, but I’d encourage any member of staff who is struggling and does need further support to reach out – the Employee Health and Wellbeing Service is here and ready to help should they need us.”
You can find out more about the Health Board’s arts programme on the Arts for Health and Wellbeing Website, or support patients and staff by making a donation on the Cardiff & Vale Health Charity website.
Information about wellbeing support available for staff is available on the Employee Wellbeing Service webpages.