Two women from Ceredigion have launched a new society for Welsh speakers who work or have an interest in Communications.

SYLW aims to create a community of Communication experts to share ideas, make connections and develop their careers in a Welsh environment.

Manon Wyn James of Tregaron and Gwenan Davies originally from Mydroilyn but now settled in Crymych are behind the new venture. Manon has over twenty years' experience in the field of Communications and currently works for S4C as Head of the Press Department. Gwenan specialises in the Welsh language in the public sector and has worked on plans to promote the Welsh language in Hywel Dda Health Board for a number of years before moving to the Marketing Department of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

“Communication is an ever growing area” said Manon. “No organisation or company is going to be able to operate without a Communications team or person at the helm.” It's an exciting area to work in, and it's an area where connections are so important. So hopefully SYLW will be an opportunity for Communications Wales experts to get to know each other and learn from each other's experiences too. ”

With a large number of training courses already available in English, there is no doubt that there is a great demand for a Welsh speaking community to host specialist Communication events.

“We started chatting a few months ago, having attended several training courses in English and saw a real demand for something similar in Welsh. Welsh speakers working in the field need to be given the opportunity to network in Welsh.” said Gwenan

Both agree that working in the field of Communications in Wales is completely different.

“Welsh communications is a different ball game and requires a particular expertise. The communication often has to be more subtle. Of course we all know each other in Wales and so we want to develop those links to make sure we learn from each other's experiences. ”

SYLW will be holding its first virtual conference in June, and then plans to launch a mentoring scheme some months later. The aim is also to share information about jobs in the field, share tips and good practice and hold training sessions throughout the year.

And with Communications now an extremely broad field, it is hoped that SYLW will attract members in marketing, promotion, branding, public relations, press, public affairs and social media.

“As Communicators – our work is to gain attention and coverage. Hopefully the SYLW community will give us the opportunity to do that together in Welsh. ”