James Pantefedwyn Foundation

01970 612806post@jamespantyfedwen.cymru

☰ Menu

Sioned Elin Rowlands

During the pandemic, many people had to change their career paths. Personally, after completing my undergraduate studies, I decided to use the lock-down period to my advantage by starting a Masters in Health and Clinical Psychology. I truly appreciated receiving the James Pantyfedwen Foundation grant; it was crucial in enabling me to complete the course, especially given the long and costly path of a career in Psychology.

It is fairly well-known that there is a shortage of Welsh-medium psychologists, especially in applied settings such as Clinical Psychology. I am therefore keen to help fill the gap because I believe it is vital that patients with mental health difficulties should have the option to receive a service in their first language. The Foundation gave me the confidence to write some of my assignments and essays in Welsh, even though the course was taught in English. I also managed to complete the final project through the medium of Welsh.

The topic of my final project was the difference between subjective well-being and the perceived social support of key workers who continued to work face-to-face during the pandemic compared to those who were forced to work from home. This question arose because I felt that many seemed to be starting to over-think, and as a result, struggling emotionally in an isolated situation without much social contact. However, it was discovered that key workers, such as those in the NHS, had been under a lot more pressure than the average person during the period and had therefore experienced a significant reduction in their health and wellbeing.

Following my Masters course, I feel much readier to enter the world of work. I hope to continue in the same field by starting as an Assistant Psychologist, with the hope of studying for a doctorate in future. Receiving a grant was essential for me to complete the course and I am so grateful to the James Pantyfedwen Foundation.