Roberts read Welsh and History at University of Wales College Cardiff where he was elected President of the Students Union 1954–1955.
[2] Roberts was appointed Chief Officer of South Gwent Community Health Council 1974–1993 and was Honorary Secretary of the Association of Welsh CHCs 1988–92.
After retirement Roberts became more active in Rhymni Valley MIND, serving as Treasurer for many years, and was a founder member of Caerphilly FORUS user involvement forum.
After moving back to Cardiff in 1997 Roberts was for many years the Treasurer of the South Wales branch of Cymru-Cuba and involved in raising money to send medical and educational supplies to Cuba in defiance of the US embargo.
Roberts was a humanist and communitarian and believed democracy could only be effective when decision making power remained within communities because large, remote governments are not accountable to the electorate and disenfranchise minorities.
[7] Roberts's own account of his career, "A Bee or Two in My Bonnet" (2011), was published online by Plaid Cymru History Society.