Last year we celebrated 30 years with 160 people from across our extensive community networks. The memory of that AGM carried us through the challenges of 2025.
Our vision for the 2025 AGM was to bring people together, build resilience and counter anti-refugee narratives.
We wanted to live up to our reputation as `The People`s United Nations`, which is how a former Mayor of Brighton & Hove described us.
“I have never seen such an international event in Brighton & Hove” (Caterer from Sussex Surplus)
We had fewer and shorter presentations and spent more time eating together and catching up with attendees.
We particularly wanted to celebrate our amazing CSE success – https://sussexinterpreting.org.uk/news/wow/
We were pleased to welcome Councillor Mitchie Alexander from Brighton & Hove City Council and Cabinet member for Communities, Equalities, Public Health and Adult Social Care. Mitchie was attending on behalf of Bella Sankey, the BHCC Leader.
We were delighted to have the support of Imran Hussain from the Refugee Council – Executive Director Communications & External Affairs – who spoke about building support for refugees.
Rosie – our new Learning & Development Manager – prepared and delivered an entertaining interactive Quiz which gave opportunities to meet new people and have some fun.
“Until today I haven`t spoken Ukrainian to another speaker in 7 years!” (Ukrainian speaking Service User)
Once again, our Linguists were at the heart of everything, and we were delighted with their continuing enthusiasm and support.
We shared delicious food from Sussex Surplus and finished with our friend Kourosh playing a beautiful improvisation of Kurdish and Farsi songs on the Tar.
Thank you to everybody who showed their support by attending – we really appreciate every one of you!
- 139 attendees
- 55 Service Users
- 36 Linguists
- 21 languages represented
- 14 representatives from communities and organisations
- 13 SIS members
A huge thank you to John (SIS Office Administrator) for leading the AGM organisation. As a colleague said in our Team debriefing – “The AGM was beautifully organised, and everybody left with a smile on their face!”
You can read more about our achievements in 2024-2025 in our Annual Review: https://sussexinterpreting.org.uk/news/sis-annual-review-2024-2025-we-are-number-one/
We can only keep moving forward because we have an amazing group of staff, trustees, linguists and partners. Each deserves praise. Without their skill, dedication and humanity we could not do what we do.
THANK YOU!
We are very keen to recruit new trustees.
If you would to support our vital work by becoming a Trustee you can find out more by contacting:
arran@sussexinterpreting.org.uk or
shahreen@sussexinterpreting.org.uk
or visit our website: https://sussexinterpreting.org.uk/recruitment-trustees/
Arran – Director
Once again a big thank you to Howard Davies for taking photographs – pics@eye-camera.com
