Sussex Interpreting Services

What Sussex Interpreting Services does

Sussex Interpreting Services (SIS) is a Brighton, UK-based registered charity (1081284) and Company Limited by Guarantee (3893084), founded in 1994, that provides language access services across Sussex. Its core deliverable is face-to-face and remote interpreting, supported by translation, social prescribing, and community research offerings, delivered through a vetted pool of self-employed sessional linguists covering 49 languages and handling approximately 18,000 interpreting sessions per year. The organisation reports an NPS of 79, positioning it in a top-quartile range on service quality.

SIS operates a B2B/B2G model selling blocks of interpreting and translation capacity predominantly to public-sector commissioners, with NHS Sussex and Brighton & Hove Council among its named institutional buyers. The 49-language supply model and a long operating history function as the principal barriers to entry for new entrants in the region. Strategic direction since 2021 has broadened the catalogue beyond pure interpretation: enhanced interpreting options were introduced in February 2021, the Bilingual Health Promotion Project launched in May 2021, and in 2024 the charity entered a £1.3 million, three-year Climate for Communities partnership and a collaboration with the Sussex Cancer Research Centre. Reported headcount is in the 11-50 band, consistent with a coordination-heavy, asset-light delivery model.

Governance is exercised through a charitable board; in 2024 Chair Aidan Pettitt stepped down after approximately two years, occurring in the same year as SIS's 30th anniversary. There is no evidence in the available data of AI/ML capabilities, proprietary technology platforms, or material recurring funding rounds beyond grant and contract income from public-sector and lottery-funded programmes.

Name

Sussex Interpreting Services

Legal name

Sussex Interpreting Services

Website

https://sussexinterpreting.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sussex Interpreting Services is a Brighton-based charity, founded in 1994, providing interpreting, translation, and community research services across 49 languages primarily to NHS Sussex, Brighton & Hove Council, and other public-sector commissioners in the Sussex region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Language Services / Community Interpreting & Translation

NAICS

Translation and Interpretation Services (541930), Translation and Interpretation Services (54193)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Business Services (7380), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Interpretation, Translation & Language Access Training (Community Interpreting) (EDAAADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Content Localization, Translation & Transcreation (BPAFAIAH), Translation & Transcreation Services (Script/Dialogue Adaptation) (MPAHAFAD), Note-Taking, Interpreting & Communication Access Services (EDALAGAD)

Keywords

• Community interpreting services
• Language access services
• Translation services
• Public sector interpreting
• Bilingual community support

Headquarters

HQ city

Brighton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Sector Contracts: Contracted interpreting and translation services commissioned by NHS trusts, Clinical Commissioning Groups, and Local Authorities (Brighton & Hove City Council, Sussex councils). Services delivered under framework agreements for health, social care, and community settings.
2. Service User Fees: Interpreting and translation services charged to organisations and individuals. Pricing available upon request for translation work; interpreting charges published on website.
3. Grant Funding: Project-based funding from National Lottery players, Sussex Research Engagement Network membership funding, and partnership grants (e.g., Climate for Communities £1.3 million over 3 years from Trust for Developing Communities).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Sussex Interpreting Services (SIS) delivers community interpreting (face-to-face, telephone, and video) and document translation across 49 languages to NHS trusts, local authorities, voluntary sector organisations, and individual service users across Sussex. The organisation supplements its core interpreting services with social prescribing, bilingual community navigation, advocacy, befriending, community research, health promotion, and consultancy, all coordinated through a proprietary Interpreter Management System (IMS) booking platform.

Product overview

Sussex Interpreting Services (SIS) provides a comprehensive suite of language access services delivered through a combination of core interpreting services and supporting community programs. The core offering consists of three interpreting modalities: Face to Face Interpreting (in-person sessions), Telephone Interpreting (remote phone-based), and Video Interpreting (remote video-based), supplemented by a 24-hour Emergency Interpreting Service. Translation Work provides document and material translation. These core services are supported by a portfolio of community programs including Social Prescribing, Bilingual Community Navigation (BCN), Befriending, Community Advocacy, Community Engagement, Community Research, Health Promotion, and Consultancy Services. An internal Interpreter Management System (IMS) platform enables organisational bookings. The organisation serves 49+ languages and operates primarily in Sussex, UK, functioning as a registered charity dedicated to improving access to public services for people with language needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Face to Face Interpreting In-person community interpreting delivered by qualified bilingual interpreters at healthcare, social care, and voluntary sector settings across Sussex. Used by NHS trusts, local authorities, VCSE organisations, and individual service users who need language support at appointments.
• Telephone Interpreting Remote interpreting via telephone for individuals and organisations requiring immediate or scheduled language support over phone calls. Provides on-demand language access for service providers and service users.
• Video Interpreting Remote interpreting via video platforms enabling face-to-face visual communication between service users and providers while maintaining language accessibility. Used by healthcare, social care, and community organisations.
• Emergency Interpreting Service 24-hour emergency interpreting service available for urgent language support needs, accessible via dedicated phone line 0800 999 1950. Provides immediate response interpreting for time-critical public service situations.
• Translation Work Community translation services for documents, materials, and resources requiring conversion between English and multiple community languages. Pricing is quote-based.
• Social Prescribing Holistic support service connecting people with language needs to community resources, activities, and services addressing social, emotional, and practical wellbeing. Includes Bilingual Community Navigation casework support.
• Bilingual Community Navigation (BCN) Casework support service providing one-to-one assistance for Service Users in Brighton & Hove addressing social, emotional and practical needs through dedicated Bilingual Community Navigators.
• Befriending Bilingual telephone befriending service to reduce isolation for vulnerable people with language needs, delivered in partnership with Together Co Befriending which provides coordination and oversight.
• Community Advocacy Bilingual advocacy services supporting individuals to express their views, defend their rights, and access services. Delivered as part of the Sussex Advocacy Partnership alongside POhWER, Mind, MindOut, Brighton & Hove Speak Out, and Impact Advocacy.
• Community Engagement Outreach and engagement activities connecting diverse ethnic communities with public services and community resources, supporting council and NHS engagement programmes.
• Community Research Community-led research using Bilingual Community Researchers to gather insights from underserved communities, particularly those with language needs. Includes 12 trained researchers receiving 45 hours of CPAR training from Health Education England.
• Health Promotion Health promotion activities commissioned by Sussex Health and Care Partnership to improve health outcomes for people with language needs from diverse ethnic communities. The Bilingual Health Promotion Project launched in May 2021 as a Sussex-wide commissioned project.
• Consultancy Services Expert consultancy services for organisations seeking guidance on language access, community engagement, and culturally appropriate service delivery.

Quantifiable outcome

• 18,000+ interpreting sessions delivered annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Sussex Research Engagement Network (REN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025SIS is a VCSE partner of Sussex REN, participating in research projects that engage underserved communities. Through REN membership, SIS has collaborated on cancer research, digital inclusion studies, and community researcher programmes. REN provides funding support and facilitates research partnerships with academic institutions including University of Brighton and University of Sussex.
• Sussex Cancer Research Centre (SCRC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to develop Public and Community Involvement and Engagement (PCIE) plan. SIS hosted 7 Bilingual Community Researchers who recruited and interviewed individuals from underserved communities about cancer research participation. The co-developed report provides community-driven recommendations for inclusive cancer research engagement.
• Trust for Developing Communities (TDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead partner in Climate for Communities project awarded £1.3 million over 3 years from National Lottery players. SIS participates as community partner gathering insight from language communities on climate action. Partnership involves Brighton & Hove council, Community Works, Climate Outreach, and 14 local organisations.
• Brighton & Hove City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey commissioner of SIS services; council leader presents awards at SIS AGM. Partnership includes community hub support, translated information, climate action, and support for Afghan refugees through ARAP programme.
• Sussex Health and Care PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary NHS commissioner of SIS services including Bilingual Health Promotion Project. SIS supports NHS consultations, community ambassador recruitment, and mental health inpatient bed consultations through translated surveys and outreach.
• Sussex Advocacy PartnershipmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIS provides Bilingual Advocacy services as part of Sussex Advocacy Partnership alongside POhWER, Mind in Brighton and Hove, MindOut, Brighton & Hove Speak Out, and Impact Advocacy. New advocacy hub for Brighton & Hove, East Sussex and West Sussex.
• Together Co BefriendingsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to upscale Bilingual Telephone Befriending service for isolated and vulnerable people with language needs. SIS provides bilingual volunteer befrienders while Together Co provides coordination and oversight.
• Friends Families and TravellerssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial Prescribing Plus partner; runner up in RSPH Health and Wellbeing Awards Community Health Development category. SIS collaborates on community health outreach to underserved populations.
• Voices in ExilesupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal migrant support charity that refers service users to SIS social prescribing services. Example: Service User K was referred to SIS Bilingual Community Navigation through Voices in Exile.
• University of Sussex - Digital Inclusion LabmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership on Digital Inclusion Lab project to make research more inclusive for people with language needs. SIS provided expertise on local language communities, supported participant recruitment through bilingual interpreters, and contributed to findings on digital barriers.
• Hangleton and Knoll ProjectsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing community partnership for BME engagement; collaborated on COVID-19 research, Black Asian and Minoritised Ethnic refugee experience studies, and multicultural women's group support.
• RISE (Domestic Violence Charity)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal domestic violence charity providing interpreting services for BAMER women accessing refuges. SIS ensures language access to RISE services for non-English speakers.
• Community BasesupportingOthersSIS is headquartered at Community Base, 113 Queens Road, Brighton. Shared office space with other VCSE organisations.
• Tongue TiedsupportingTechnology or IntegrationInterpreting and translation provider referenced as third-party data processor under SIS privacy arrangements for service delivery.
• Introworld (Langserv)supportingTechnology or IntegrationSIS Database developer; maintains eLangserv booking service and IMS platform used for interpreter management and service user registration.
• FastnetsupportingTechnology or IntegrationSIS Cloud Provider referenced in privacy notice as third-party data processor for cloud infrastructure services.
• Health Education EnglandsupportingOthersDelivered 45 hours of free CPAR (Community Participatory Action Research) training and mentoring to 12 Community Researchers through partnership with Scottish Community Development Centre.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Language Empire: UK provider of interpreting and translation services to public sector clients including NHS trusts and local authorities. Directly comparable to SIS in target customers, modality mix and compliance requirements, with similar reliance on freelance linguists.
• Prestige Network: UK-based interpreting and translation agency supplying face-to-face, telephone and video interpreting to NHS, councils and private clients. Directly comparable to SIS in core services and customer segments, including public-sector health and local authority contracts.
• DA Languages: UK-based language services provider delivering face-to-face, telephone and video interpreting to NHS trusts, local authorities and businesses. Direct competitor to SIS in public-sector commissioned interpreting, with similar service mix and customer base but a wider geographic footprint.
• Word360: UK language services provider focused on NHS, local government and private healthcare interpreting and translation. Closely comparable customer base (NHS, councils) and service offering (face-to-face, telephone, video interpreting) to SIS, though operating across a wider UK footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Capita Translation and Interpreting: Large UK outsourcer offering translation and interpreting services as part of broader public-sector contracts. Comparable to SIS in delivering interpreting for NHS and government, but operating as part of a much wider services portfolio.
• The Big Word: Global translation and interpreting provider with strong UK public-sector presence, offering interpreting, translation and localisation to enterprises and government. Comparable service categories to SIS, including face-to-face and remote interpreting, but at significantly larger scale.
• LanguageLine Solutions: The largest UK and US provider of telephone, video and face-to-face interpreting, serving NHS, local authorities and large enterprises. Highly comparable as a direct public-sector language services competitor to SIS, but operating at national scale with broader modality and customer reach.

Regional players

• Translator Group: UK translation and interpreting agency providing multilingual services to public and private sector clients. Comparable service offering to SIS, with overlapping public-sector customer base but broader UK regional coverage.
• Global Languages: Smaller UK interpreting and translation provider serving NHS trusts and local authorities with face-to-face and remote interpreting. Comparable business model and customer mix to SIS at a similarly modest scale.

Others

• Friends, Families and Travellers: UK charity supporting Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, partnered with SIS on health outreach and Social Prescribing Plus. Not a direct interpreting competitor but a peer ecosystem partner addressing similar health-equity outcomes for marginalised language communities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sussexinterpret
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@sussexinterpretingservices
• Facebookfacebook.com/sis.interpreting.services
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sussex-interpreting-services
• Instagraminstagram.com/sussexinterpret

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sussex Interpreting Services