A PWLLHELI nurse who has used the Welsh language to help support schoolchildren’s understanding of dementia has received a top health award.

Edwin Humphreys, who works as a mental health nurse at Ysbyty Bryn Beryl, scooped the Welsh Language Award at this year’s

Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board’s Staff Achievement Awards.

In the last year the gifted musician has worked with several organisations on projects which have helped primary school children better understand those living with dementia through the use of poetry and art.

Edwin, an advocate for the Welsh language, was part of organising the project in Ysgol Llewelyn in Rhyl where the children wrote, recorded and published their own song on You Tube called ‘Respect the Elderly’ which has helped them better understand people living with dementia.

Following the success of this project it was then developed into Project Anti Glenda which was carried out through the Welsh Language at Ysgol Pentreuchaf in Pwllheli.

Edwin said: “With the increasing numbers of people with dementia across Wales there is a national drive to build dementia supportive communities and I believe this project directly relates to that as well as showing respect and sensitivity to the Welsh language as a means of bringing that about.

“It is fantastic to receive an award for this project, I worked with many different people and had great support from the South Gwynedd Elderly Mental Health team and Dr Catrin Hedd from the University of Bangor.

“I must thank local artist Tess Urbanska who was the artist on the project and also Kerry Macdonald, and Jane and David Lawson who invited me to join the project in Rhyl. Also Glenda Roberts who was the star of the project as well as Mari Ireland and Cheryl Williams who works for the Alzheimer’s Society as a dementia champion.”

Edwin was nominated by Sean Page, Consultant Nurse within Mental Health and Learning Disabilities at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, said this project had started to ‘demolish some of the myths of dementia’.

He said: “Edwin is one of our unsung heroes in older people’s mental health and he is using his very powerful talents in music and the arts to build bridges with children and show them that people with dementia are no one to be frightened of and that they themselves are able to support them by better understanding the condition.

“Edwin has undertaken a fabulous piece of work that has started to demolish some of the myths, stigma and fear of dementia and more broadly of mental health problems.

“He has shown that Welsh is a vibrant, living, poetic language and that has great meaning to the children involved.”