Community Interpreting Service (CIS)

Our Community Interpreting Service (CIS)

If you're a member of the public

We want to make sure all residents can access our services equally. If you need help understanding or using a council service because English is not your first language, you are entitled to an interpreter. This will be provided at no cost to you.

Members of the public cannot book an interpreter directly with our Community Interpreting Service (CIS). Interpreters must be arranged by the service you are dealing with, for example, your social worker, housing officer, school, GP surgery or other organisation supporting you.

If you need an interpreter, please tell the service you are contacting. They have a responsibility to arrange one for you and will make the booking on your behalf.

If you wish to book an interpreter privately for your own use, you may do so, but you will need to pay for this service.

If you're a service provider

We offer a 24/7 interpreting service at extremely competitive rates.

Advantages of using our service include a:

  • minimum booking time of 30 minutes for face-to-face interpreting
  • minimum booking of 5 minutes for phone interpreting
  • commitment to using only qualified interpreters.

Our services can offer: 

  • face-to-face interpreting
  • document translation
  • phone interpreting
  • video link interpreting
  • transcription
  • cultural awareness advice
  • training on working with interpreters.

We will ensure:

  • a personal service
  • confidentiality and impartiality
  • effective communication
  • appropriate use of language and dialect
  • you have interpreters to suit your needs
  • value for money.

View the languages we cover.

Find out how to book an interpreter.

Interpreters for health professionals

Interpreters can help patients who find it difficult to express their needs or find English difficult to understand. 

Our interpreters can help:

  • take the case history from the patient
  • explain the purpose, describe test procedures and gain consent
  • give and explain test results
  • give a diagnosis and prognosis
  • prescribe the treatment.

Interpreters for solicitors

Our service is also available to solicitors at legal aid rates. 

Queries

You can contact us with any queries by:

  • email: cis@medway.gov.uk
  • phone: 01634 335 577
  • phone (out of hours): 01634 304 400
  • post: Community Interpreting Service, Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TR.