Frequently Asked Questions

Booking an interpreter is easy. Simply complete the interpreter request form, ensuring you provide accurate details about the booking and provide contact details to allow the office to follow-up and confirm the booking. Alternatively, you can email or call the office.

At Deaf Services Lanarkshire, our interpreters can provide support for several occasions:

• NHS appointments
• Private medical appointments
• Legal
• Funerals
• Weddings
• Social work visits
• Pantomimes and Shows
• Graduations
• Work meetings
• Interviews
• Training
• Access to work

All our interpreters are registered with The Scottish Register: SRLPDC or the National Regulator: NRCPD. This will be detailed on their identification card, which will also contain a photo of the interpreter. For more information or to check the register please visit thescottishregister.co.uk or nrcpd.org.uk. If you have any concerns, please contact the office.

We would encourage all our users to ensure their interpreters are qualified and registered to ensure you receive the appropriate information. Our interpreters ensure that your rights are respected and communicate information using correct terminology and sign language. They have experience and abide by the code of conduct set out by the registry bodies. Using an interpreter also protects the individuals' rights and dignity by not relying on family members or friends.

Please provide Deaf Services Lanarkshire with as much notice as possible. We do request 2-week notice is given to allow adequate time for our staff to appoint for your request. Urgent and last-minute requests are unavoidable, and we will accommodate this as best we can. For urgent or last-minute requests please contact the office directly to ensure a quicker response.

Yes, our interpreters will cover appointments outside of typical business hours. We can also accommodate out of hours requests - to book this type of appointment please telephone the office number. Please note additional charges may apply to this type of appointment.

If you need to change or cancel your interpreter, please contact the office as soon as possible. Please note there may be a cancellation fee - details of this can be found within our cancellation policy.

Deaf Services Lanarkshire support has drop-in sessions Monday to Wednesday from 9am-4pm. Access to this service is also available by appointment or text/video call on Thursday and Friday. To book an appointment please contact the office.

Drop-in sessions are available Monday to Wednesday from 9am to 4pm, except for public holidays. Appointments can be made for support sessions on a Thursday and Friday - please contact the office to arrange an appointment.

Deaf Services Lanarkshire offers a range of services and supports access to mainstream services to the deaf community of Lanarkshire. This includes our interpreting service, making calls to Doctors, Hospitals, Social Work Departments and other public service providers. Access to our training centre, BSL café, befriending and local groups are also available, where we can help support advocacy and links with tackling poverty.

There are 2 halls for hire at Deaf Services Lanarkshire with a capacity of up to 50 people maximum. The small hall provides space for 15 people maximum.

To hire one of our halls please complete the booking form for hall hire. Please call the office if you have any questions about our halls.

Our halls are available on a regular basis. Please call the office to discuss availability.

At Deaf Services Lanarkshire, our halls can be hired from 9am to 10pm.

Deaf Services Lanarkshire does not currently hold an alcohol licence. This means no alcohol can be sold on the premises.

Deaf Services Lanarkshire's BSL courses are accredited by the SQA. If you are interested in joining the next available course, please complete the BSL course application form or email training@deafserviceslanarkshire.co.uk for further information.

Our British Sign Language (BSL) course Level 1 does not require prior qualifications. Anyone looking to start our courses at Level 2 or above will be required to demonstrate their ability through a short skills test before being accepted at that level.

At Deaf Services Lanarkshire all our British Sign Language courses are taught by our deaf tutors. Candidates will have the opportunity, during their courses, to meet members of the Deaf Community.

All courses available at Deaf Services Lanarkshire are SQA approved. On completion of the course, you will be issued with a SCQF certificate ranging from SCQF Level 3, for our introduction level, to SCQF Level 10, which provides our BSL/English Interpreter qualification.

At Deaf Services Lanarkshire we provide courses that will enable you to continue your education in British Sign Language. BSL course Level 1-3 will enable participants to communicate effectively and have a strong understanding of deaf culture. Our Professional Development Award in Deaf Studies (PDA) provides students the opportunity to become trainee interpreters. The BSL/English Interpreter Qualification is equivalent to an Honours degree - successfully completing this accredited qualification enables participants to register as a Sign Language Interpreter with bodies such as the Scottish Register of Language Professionals with the Deaf Community (SRLPDC).

Deaf Services Lanarkshire regularly run deaf awareness seminars for businesses and service providers in and around Lanarkshire. Bespoke deaf awareness sessions can also be requested - please contact the office for further information. Deaf awareness sessions provide a wider understanding of the barriers and issues faced by deaf people in their daily lives.

Deaf awareness training can take place within Deaf Services Lanarkshire's office. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

To book onto the next available deaf awareness course, please complete the application form online. To arrange a bespoke deaf awareness course, please contact the office by emailing training@deafserviceslanarkshire.co.uk.