Before qualifiying as a BSL/English interpreter I was a Communication Support Worker at a local Nottinghamshire college. I was also employed as a Welfare Rights Worker with Deaf People, initially at Leicester Centre for Deaf People, and subsequently at Nottinghamshire Deaf Society (NDS). In 2001 I qualified with a PG Diploma from UCLan and went on to work as a member of the interpreting team at NDS. I have a PhD, from Heriot-Watt University, which looks at the ways in which the interpreter impacts on workplace interaction. I am an experienced, well-rounded practitioner in the following domains:
Community: all medical appointments, social services, mental health, therapy sessions, counselling.
Education & Training: further education, higher education, needs assessments, ongoing professional development training courses.
I particularly enjoy working with Deaf professionals in the workplace setting. In addition to the standard skillset expected of a BSL/English interpreter, I also offer the following:
High level English skills, working from BSL into written English.
Proofreading.
Converting policies, procedures, and other documentation into ‘plain English’.
Some assignments or domains are outside of my skillset and/or comfort zone. Accordingly, I am generally not available for: theatre performances, signed songs, events relating to religion or faith.
My Terms and Conditions can be viewed here. Once a booking has been confirmed and/or agreed by email, telephone, SMS or verbally, a contractual agreement is considered to have been formed and my Terms and Conditions apply.
I believe that we all have a responsibility to continuously improve our skills and practice and I engage in ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activity at a level that goes beyond the requirements of the NRCPD CPD scheme. I have a keen interest in supporting the development of individual interpreters and the wider interpreting profession. This is evidenced through the training I provide for interpreters and other communication professionals, my role as a Professional Supervisor, and my standards advisor work. I believe it is essential that interpreters engage in Professional Supervision. I have group supervision, facilitated by a psychotherapist, every 6 weeks.