In this SIS story, we share a presentation by Nergiz one of our Community Interpreters. Nergiz spoke at our Community Interpreter Event at Friends Meeting House in Brighton in June 2025, offering her personal experience of Community Interpreting:
“Thank you for the opportunity to share my interpreting journey with SIS here today.
I became an interpreter because I know how hard it feels when you can’t explain yourself and have to depend on friends and family members. I never want others to feel that way — especially in important places like hospitals, schools, or when dealing with benefits and services.
My journey with interpreting started when a friend told me I could turn my language skills into a job — a way to help others and earn money at the same time. At that time, I was raising my child and looking for something meaningful to do. I joined a Community Interpreting Course and completed Levels 1, 2 and 3.
Soon after, I started working with SIS — and I loved it. It feels like we are a big family. I do many different roles with them: I’m a Community Interpreter, a Bilingual Community Navigator, a Bilingual Advocate, a Community Researcher, and a Volunteer. I first trained as a Bilingual Community Navigator, then later completed the advocacy course so I could support even more people in need.
With time, I’ve learned to listen carefully, stay calm, and speak clearly. I always try to be kind and respectful. Many people ask for me again because they say they feel heard and understood better. Sometimes, I challenge the Service Provider when something doesn’t feel right — and I’ve noticed that when I speak up with care and professionalism, people trust me even more.
One moment I’ll never forget was helping a young woman who had suffered from domestic violence for over many years. With my help, she found the support she needed and started a new life with her child. Today, they are safe and happy. I’m proud I could be part of that.
What I enjoy most is that I learn something new every day. The job is never boring. I also love that I can go to different places, and sometimes I visit parks or explore new areas between interpreting sessions. You can’t do that if you’re stuck in an office all day!
Of course, some parts of the job are hard. Once, I had to tell someone they were dying. In my culture, we don’t usually say things like that directly. We say, “Don’t lose your hope in God.” In that moment, I had to find the right way to say it — in a way that was honest, but also gentle and respectful.
Working with SIS has been such a great experience. I feel truly valued and supported, not just as a professional, but as a person. As interpreters, we are human, and it’s natural that some sessions can affect us emotionally. One of the ladies I interpreted for over a few sessions had a particularly emotional story that impacted me deeply. The SIS Service Coordinator, who is also a counsellor, kindly offered me a support session to help me process what I was feeling and gain a better understanding of how to manage such situations.
This experience reminded me how thoughtful and supportive the SIS team is. They genuinely care about our well-being, and that makes all the difference. I’m really proud to be part of such a compassionate and professional team. Their ongoing support has helped me grow not just in my role, but personally too — giving me the strength to continue this important work with clarity and confidence.
In the end, being an interpreter isn’t just about speaking two languages. It’s about helping people feel safe, heard, and respected — especially in their most vulnerable moments. And knowing I have a team like SIS behind me makes that responsibility feel all the more meaningful.”
We sincerely thank Nergiz for sharing her story and for her dedicated work and the valuable contributions she has made across all her freelance and voluntary roles at SIS.
If you or someone you know is fluent in English and another language and would like to find out more about enrolling with us as a Community Interpreter click here.
Photo credit: Howard Davies – November 2025 – Nergiz accepting an award for her support of Service Users alongside fellow linguists at the SIS 30th Anniversary AGM, presented by Bella Sankey leader of Brighton & Hove County Council
