School of Social Sciences' Initiative Brings Language Support to Booth Centre鈥檚 Multilingual Community
The Booth Centre, a vibrant community hub supporting individuals affected by homelessness in 91直播, recently worked with The University of Manchester鈥檚 School of Social Sciences to address a pressing need: language support for non-English speakers.
This collaboration, funded and developed by the School of Social Sciences (SoSS) Social Responsibility Committee, brought on 50 student volunteers as translators, ensuring critical services remain accessible to all, including those whose first language is not English. The initiative addressed a growing need, as many of the 鈥檚 visitors navigate complex processes related to housing, benefits, and employment support.
Launched in early 2023, the volunteer translator programme has achieved notable success in a short period, offering both document translation and in-person interpretation services. Student volunteers translated essential materials - such as informational leaflets, forms, and letters - into 22 different languages to ensure that non-English-speaking clients can access critical information.
Two students have also provided in-person interpretation during important meetings and appointments at the Centre, bridging communication gaps that might otherwise prevent individuals from fully accessing support.
Phil Drake, Director of Social Responsibility for the School of Social Sciences, said:
This is a fantastic initiative where the students of the School of Social Sciences have been able to use their language skills to help those people affected by homelessness, who may otherwise not have a voice.
Megan Hadfield, a representative from the University and trustee of the Booth Centre, emphasised the programme鈥檚 importance, noting:
This programme is vital. It is the opportunity to provide an essential service with the ability to carry out its activities in an inclusive and accessible manner. There are more and more people accessing the Booth Centre with issues surrounding immigration, and with the success of the RESS (Restricted Eligibility Support Service), whose clientele often do not have English as their first language, this Volunteer Translator Programme could not have come at a better time.
For someone who is struggling with accessing benefits, accommodation, navigating their way through the UK鈥檚 immigration system, and trying to secure employment, to be able to speak in their native language, secure in the knowledge they have a better understanding than they previously did of their situation, is the heart of this programme.
Reflecting on the initiative, Conor Miller, the Booth Centre鈥檚 facilities manager, shared:
The programme has been incredibly beneficial for us. Having accurate translations of essential information and dedicated interpreters on hand was invaluable. We鈥檙e excited to see this grow.
Looking ahead, the Booth Centre, with the assistance of the SoSS Social Responsibility Committee, aims to expand the programme. Plans included increasing student engagement by refining the induction process and aligning training schedules with academic calendars to accommodate students鈥� availability. Additionally, the committee intends to recruit volunteers proficient in high-demand languages, such as Arabic and Eastern European dialects, to meet the evolving needs of the Centre鈥檚 community.
Through funding and support from the SoSS Social Responsibility Committee, this initiative empowered students to use their skills meaningfully while providing crucial language support that helps Booth Centre clients navigate complex systems. This collaboration exemplified the University鈥檚 mission to foster social responsibility by addressing community needs through sustainable, impactful projects.