Wonderful AGM!

#SISAGM19 – The SIS AGM is a showcase for our services and values. It is a great opportunity to celebrate achievements and connect with each other across language and community.

This year we also decided to arrange our Customer Service Excellence visit at our AGM.  This worked very well and people were pleased to have the opportunity to speak with Neil our external assessor.

People attending for the first time always comment on the `amazing buzz of interpreting`. This year we were delighted to welcome service users speaking 9 languages.  It can really feel like the People`s United Nations!`

Interpreters at the SIS AGM work very hard to ensure members and service users can learn about the support we offer and have the opportunity to engage with other well-being services.

Our `Tube Map` of services really helped everyone to understand how we can help.

We like to hear the stories of people who use our services. This is often the most moving part of the event.  We were very proud to hear from Aziza and George this year:

“I said to myself `when you are in need – SIS does everything for you`.  We had a look on the SIS website and noticed that you now have a Drop-In.  We spoke to people we know, and explained where they could go to get interpreters, and information and help with form filling.  We are so happy and grateful for the service you provide and have always provided to us”.

You can read more from George and Aziza in our Annual Review https://sussexinterpreting.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/SIS-Annual-Review-2017-2018.pdf

We will also publish more testimonies and `case studies` on our website https://sussexinterpreting.org.uk/sis-stories/

It was thrilling to see people using phones to scan Quick Response bar codes, taking them directly to translated web pages.  Our Digital Team explained other innovations and developments.

We also received appreciative support from Lloyd Russell-Moyle MP, who thanked us on behalf of all local MPs for the vital work we do.

Sussex Defend the NHS spoke about an important Pledge, which can be signed here: https://pledgeforthenhs.com/#pledge

We finished with live music from Koroush playing the Tar, an instrument designed by musicians to bring `community and kingdom` together – a fitting message for us all!

Thank you to the 120+ people who came along to make this such a vibrant and enjoyable afternoon.  We look forward to seeing you all again next year!

Arran – Director

Thank you to Howard Davies for all photographs ‘pics@eye-camera.com’