In February and March this year a group of 18 individuals from ethnically and culturally diverse communities came together to form the Community Voices Group. They discussed issues that are important to their communities, brought together common themes and then presented their findings to members of Brighton and Hove City Council and the local NHS…
We are thrilled to have achieved an unprecedented 8 areas of Compliance Plus in Customer Service Excellence! www.customerserviceexcellence.uk.com There is a rigorous external examination of how we work with NHS and Local Authority customers, partners, service users and staff. We have worked tremendously hard in the volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous environment of the pandemic.…
SIS is part of a new community research partnership for Community Participatory Action Research (CPAR) to tackle health issues related to COVID-19 12 Community Researchers from across Sussex, specialising in diverse ethnic communities, will receive 45 hours of free training and mentoring in CPAR from the Scottish Community Development Centre to develop their understanding of…
A new community group has formed as a result of the hardwork of SIS Hungarian Linguist Henrietta Izso. Here the group chair – Aliz Ferencne Mate, talks about how the group came together and their plans for the future. On a spring day, when the Covid 19 pandemic rounded on us, we pondered how…
We asked staff members, a trustee and a linguist about 2020 and the impact of the pandemic on their work with SIS. Here is an edited version of their interesting responses. With thanks to Nadine, Vikki, Sue, Matt, Aidan and Shahreen. What was your biggest challenge in the last year? Nadine Zeytoun (Community…
Sussex Interpreting Services exists to enable full access, for people with language needs, to publicly funded services in order to improve health, education and overall quality of life. NEW INTERPRETING OPTIONS Sussex Interpreting Services (SIS) have launched a range of new interpreting options to reflect the changing needs of our service users and service providers.…
The Brighton and Hove Social Prescribing Providers Network has collated information from members about gaps in services, across the city, which are causing health inequalities and inequity of access to produce an important Position Statement. The aim of this position statement is to inform strategic service development and commissioning practice whilst highlighting how the voluntary…
Thanks to funding from Brighton and Hove City Council, SIS now has fully accessible covid 19 information pages in the 6 most spoken languages in the city Arabic, Bengali, Simplified Chinese, Farsi, Polish and Portuguese. Details of the original resources are found here on the English language page and also on dedicated covid translated information…
At the request of Sussex Interpreting Services, Sussex Health and Care have translated their key information leaflet Right Time, Right Care into 12 of the most frequently spoken languages in the region which will be of great help to SIS service users. The guide highlights that the NHS is “still open for business” and directs…
The NHS in Sussex is calling on residents to remember simple steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19 as demand for services rises in the region. The demand for all NHS services across Sussex has risen significantly due to the higher infection rates of COVID-19 in the community in recent weeks. Staff across the NHS…
In Sussex the COVID-19 vaccination programme went live on 8 December 2020 at the Royal Sussex County Hospital – the first hospital hub for our region. The hospital teams have been vaccinating people over the age of 80 years old who are coming to the hospital as an inpatient or outpatient, hospital staff and…
The latest SIS Annual Review is now available online. The review provides a summary of the organisation’s activity over a 12+ months time period as well as other information about SIS. We hope you enjoy reading about our services and welcome any feedback you would like to give.
SIS is collaborating with some partner organisations to help us deliver bilingual support services in Urdu, Pashto, Hindi, and Dari. These languages aren’t widely requested in Brighton and Hove which means that, although SIS can provide interpreting in all of these language, we aren’t currently set up to deliver our other bilingual support services ;…
SIS has many contacts with EU citizens living in the city in particularly linguists and services users who deliver and use our services. SIS is keen to ensure that all our EU colleagues are able to remain in the Brighton and Hove. The Brexit transition period ends this year on 31 December. From 1 January…
In July 2020, SIS was involved in a partnership to gather feedback from BAMER people on their experience of Covid-19. The partnership was led by the Trust for Developing Communities and involved Hangleton & Knoll Project, Voices in Exile, Network of International Women and Fresh Youth Perspectives, The research was funded by Sussex NHS Commissioners…
Flu vaccination clinics across Brighton and Hove are underway this September and the NHS is encouraging anyone who is eligible for a free flu vaccination to book an appointment with their GP or pharmacist, as soon as they receive an invitation. Every year the flu virus kills people and hospitalises many more. This year it…
It has been announced today – 14/09/2020 – that NHS England is writing to all G.P. Surgeries to make sure they are communicating the fact doctors can be seen in person if necessary, as well as virtually. In a BBC Headline News Article Nikki Kanani, Medical Director of primary care for NHS England, said G.Ps…
Imperial College London, in partnership with the BME Health Forum and the North West London Clinical Commissioning Groups have produced a series of videos aimed at encouraging people to continue to use health services if they are unwell. They are available in English, Arabic, Farsi, Kurdish and Sylheti. English Arabic / العربية Farsi / فارسی…
Sussex Interpreting Services are fully resolved to comply with the Modern Slavery Act 2015. We believe strongly it is not acceptable that anyone should profit from the appalling abuse and exploitation of individuals. https://sussexinterpreting.org.uk/news/modern-slavery-act-2015-sis-position-statement/ Anti-Slavery UK Anti-Slavery UK has shared the information below to aid migrant workers in reporting concerns which may be helpful with helpful links to a…
Refugee week went by in such a blur of COVID crisis and Black Lives Matter protests that it proved challenging to fully appreciate the ingenuity and creativity of organisers in transposing workshops, film discussions, concerts, art exhibitions and stand-up comedy into the online space so that people could continue to meet and connect. Now that…
We recently read with great disappointment a Guardian article from 9th August 2020 about many BAMER women being turned away from domestic violence refuges because they do not speak English. We are so fortunate in Brighton and Hove that local commissioners recognise the needs of our diverse population. SIS supports local domestic violence charity RISE,…
SIS has been commissioned by B&H NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to undertake some community research to try and understand the disproportionate impact of COVID 19 on Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee (BAMER) people. This work is in a partnership led by Trust for Developing Communities along with Hangelton and Knoll Project, Voices in…
Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) launched a fund for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community groups in Brighton & Hove on 13th July 2020. The fund will support projects that improve the well-being of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic residents and promote fairness. The fund is open to organisations which: Are Black, Asian…
Doctors of the World have updated their translated guidance material to incorporate the latest government guidance. Each translated document includes Coronavirus (Covid-19) Guidance Who’s at high risk from Coronavirus How to protect yourself if you are at high risk Isolation guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection How long to follow the isolation guidance? When…
Psychologytools.com has produced an amazing set of free resources translated into 40 language to help people who are feeling anxious and worried about their current circumstances. “Our world is changing rapidly at the moment. Given some of the news coverage it is difficult not to worry about what it all means for yourself, and for…
SIS is working in partnership with Together Co Befriending to upscale services to enable isolated and vulnerable people with language needs to benefit from this valuable service. We recognise that people with language needs can feel particularly isolated. They often have few people they can connect with because of the language barrier. A simple, weekly…
SIS would like to say a big thank you to all the volunteers who have made such a massive contribution to our work. SIS works with a fabulous group of Volunteer Linguists who deliver Social Prescribing at our regular drop-in sessions as well as at appointments at Community Base and other locations around the city.…
Brighton and Hove City Council have produced a series of posters in English and 6 Community Languages giving information about the COVID19 Community Hub. The text was reviewed in consultation with migrant and refugee organisations to ensure it was as accessible and meaningful as possible. The Community Hub can support people, particularly the very vulnerable…
Public Health England’s Every Mind Matters service has launched a new suite of tips and advice, focussed on looking after people’s mental well-being during the coronavirus outbreak. The range of new resources include a tailored COVID-19 Mind Plan, content for individuals and their loved ones on managing their mental wellbeing during the outbreak, and support…
Public Health England’s had sent out an 8 page leaflet to every household advising on COVID19. This leaflet is now available in in several languages; Bengali / বোাংলো Gujarati /ગુજરાતી Polish / Polski Punjabi / ਪੰਜਾਬੀ Romanian / Română Romani Russian / русский Somali / Soomaali Urdu / ارد و
SIS is working together with Brighton and Hove City Council (BHCC) and other local community organisations to ensure that people with language needs have access to accurate, up to date information. SIS has heard reports that some members of our communities have been too terrified to leave their house at all because they haven’t understood…
Leeds City Council has produced a series of videos in their main community languages to promote essential information about Corona Virus. The videos are available in Arabic, Bengali, Czech, Farsi, Hindi, Kurdish Sorani, Mandarin, Tigrinya, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, Slovak, Urdu. The videos cover Essential Information, Spotting the Signs of Corona Virus, Handwashing Guidance…
Doctors of the World have provided translated guidance material in the following languages which you can download here: Albanian / Shqip Armenian / ՀԱՅԵՐԵՆ Arabic / اللغة العربية Amharic / አማርኛ Bengali / বোাংলো Bulgarian / Български Burmese Cantonese /繁體中文 (Traditonal Chinese) Czech / Cesky Dari / زبان دري English Estonian / Eesti Farsi / فارسی…
HM Government and the NHS have produced some printable translated posters in some community languages. These can be printed for display. Bengali Gujarati Pashto Polish Romanian Russian Urdu
Big Leaf Foundation who “help displaced young people belong and grow” has produced written translations of NHS and WHO advice surrounding COVID-19 in several languages spoken by their young people. These resources also have illustrations to make the information easier to understand and absorb. You can download these resources below and please do share with…
We are here to help! We have been busy giving this clear and straightforward message to those who need our essential services in this unprecedented crisis. Our vital 24 hour emergency interpreting service continues and we have bolstered our capacity to deliver – 07811 459 315. We are offering and delivering remote interpreting options wherever…
Public Health England have published some translated guidance on 1. Stay at Home; guidance for households with possible coronavirus infections Arabic / اللغة العربية Bengali / বোাংলো Cantonese / 繁體中文 French / Francais Gujarati /ગુજરાતી Mandarin / 简体中文 Polish / Polski Portuguese /Português Punjabi / ਪੰਜਾਬੀ Urdu / ارد و 2. …
Doctors of the World have provided translated guidance material in the following languages which you can download here: Albanian / Shqip Arabic / اللغة العربية Bengali / বোাংলো Czech / Cesky Dari / زبان دري English Farsi / فارسی French / Français Greek / EΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ Hindi / ह िंदी Hungarian / Magyar Kurdish Sorani LITHUANIAN…
SIS was one of the first charities in England to apply for the Customer Service Excellence (CSE) Award https://www.customerserviceexcellence.uk.com/ There is a rigorous external validation that looks at how we work with NHS and Local Authority customers, service users and staff. We use the criteria to sustain improvement and innovation. We have done this every year…
We had a wonderful 25 year celebration and AGM on 28th February 2020! Central to our success is the dedication of SIS Linguists. They were at the centre of our event. The Mayor, Councillor Alexandra Phillips, and Bert Williams MBE, President of Brighton & Hove Black History, and long-serving SIS member, presented Awards to 48…
NEVER AGAIN! SIS has a specific commitment to supporting Holocaust Memorial Day in our Equal Opportunity & Diversity Policy This year is the 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and the 25th Anniversary of the Bosnian Genocide. Last year, as Convener of Brighton & Hove Stand Up To Racism (BHSUTR), I was proud to…
For 25 years SIS has provided language services at the heart of our BME communities. We are delighted to speak about this in our 2018-19 Annual Review. As our Chair Jen Henwood says – In this context , heart suggests the centre, the hub, the core, the nucleus and brings connotations of compassion, humanity and…
SIS is thrilled for our Social Prescribing Plus partner, Friends Families and Travellers (FFT) who’ve been announced as runners up in the Community Health Development category of the illustrious Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) Health and Wellbeing Awards. The team attended a glamorous event at the East Wintergarden in London to receive their award.The…
Do you speak fluent Vietnamese and English? Are you a community interpreter? Sussex Interpreting Services is looking to enrol freelance self-employed interpreters living in or near Brighton. Freelance Community Interpreters work in health and social care settings to ensure access to services for people whose first language is other than English. They help people feel…
Do you speak fluent Bulgarian and English? Are you a community interpreter? Sussex Interpreting Services is looking to enrol freelance self-employed interpreters living in or near Brighton. Freelance Community Interpreters work in health and social care settings to ensure access to services for people whose first language is other than English. They help people feel…
SIS was delighted to support our local Black History Family Day. This vibrant community event is part of Black History Month, founded to recognise the contributions that people of African and Caribbean backgrounds have made to this country over many generations. Black History Month has been celebrated for over 40 years and has expanded to…
I was very happy, last Sunday, to go along and celebrate in the 10th Anniversary Celebrations of the Hangleton and Knoll-Multi Cultural Women’s Group. SIS have collaborated with the Hangleton and Knoll Project (HKP) over many years. The day showed how successful HKP’s strategy towards engagement with BME women has been. The approach taken, has…