Ruth Lloyd from Llanwrtyd Wells was honoured for her outstanding work at the Inspire! Tutor Awards 2026 ceremony at the Senedd in Cardiff on Tuesday, 17 March.

Ruth is a Work Welsh tutor who works for Learn Welsh Glamorgan, run by the University of South Wales on behalf of the National Centre for Learning Welsh.

The Llanwrtyd Wells woman was one of six tutors from across Wales that were honoured for their outstanding work.

Her work creating ‘O’r gair i’r gerdd’, a Welsh-medium creative writing and poetry course designed in response to demand from adult learners, has won praise from Estyn inspectors recently also.

She teaches in the workplace from Entry to Advanced level, using skills gained as a primary and secondary school teacher earlier in her career.

Ruth is currently on secondment to the Ministry of Defence, teaching leamers across many Welsh Battalions, including the Head of the Army in Wales, having previously delivered classes for Careers Wales, the NHS and HMRC.

Co-ordinated by Learning and Work Institute in partnership with Welsh Government, the awards recognised outstanding tutors who go above and beyond to empower adult learners, transform lives and strengthen communities.

John Griffiths, Labour MS for Newport East, also received an award for his outstanding contribution to lifelong learning.

He is due to retire as an MS on May 7, having served the Senedd since its formation in 1999, including in ministerial roles and chairs the Cross Party Group on Further Education and Skills.

He praised tutors for helping learners to develop the skills they need to secure high quality jobs to support the Welsh economy and community cohesion.

“Wales aspires to be a nation of lifelong learning and it’s wonderful tutors, learners and institutions that make that possible,” he said. “These awards are so important in recognising all the quality, value and achievement.”