Mentors in CEA Region
| Mike Ballinger | Gráinne Sheehan | Maureen Wood |
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Biography:
Having left school at 15 with no qualifications I spent a number of years doing various manual jobs including farming, fencing, motorcycle dispatch riding, working in a boatyard and working as a bin man. I studied BSL level 1 and 2 at evening college and in 1993 I started working as a Communication Support Worker (CSW) in mainstream schools in Northamptonshire, covering primary and secondary education. In 1999 I left to attend Wolverhampton University to undertake a Degree in BSL/English Interpreting. Having achieved a First Class Honours I left in June 2001 to become a freelance interpreter working in the Oxfordshire area. In October 2001 I started attending the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) Postgraduate Diploma in BSL/English Interpreting. In October 2002 I was involved in setting up an ‘interpreter-led’ agency (Lexicon Interpreting Services) operating out of Oxfordshire, supplying interpreters both locally and nationwide. In September 2003 I completed the UCLAN course and became a licensed member of ASLI. I am currently still employed as an interpreter and director of Lexicon. I live with my wife and two boys on a canal boat on the Oxford Canal.
Expertise:
Since leaving Wolverhampton University I have gained interpreting experience in a wide range of settings including community, conference, legal / quasi-legal, medical, mental health, social services, education, employment and theatre interpreting. During this time I have benefited from having a mentor myself and I believe mentoring plays an essential role within our profession. Through my own personal experience I understand the challenges and pitfalls associated with the journey of self-development, both personal and professional, and how it can initiate life-changing experiences.
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Biography:
I am an experienced Interpreter, having qualified in 1994. My interest in this role stemmed from the fact that I had Deaf parents and was therefore already a fluent / native signer. So I guess you could say I had a head start! When I was growing up there was no such thing a ‘Professional BSL / English Interpreter’. I worked for RAD (The Royal Association For Deaf People) for 16yrs starting out as an assistant social worker then becoming an interpreter, supervisor and finally bringing together the interpreters within RAD and developing a strong and dedicated team providing a wide ranging quality interpreting service. As part of my management role I supervised interpreters, encouraged & nurtured their development. I strongly believe in encouraging and supporting the development of trainee interpreters. We all have to begin somewhere and with so many trainee interpreters working freelance these days I believe it is vital that they have the opportunity to access experienced mentors or a peer support group. I have been a member of ASLI since approximately 1988 or 9! So long that I don’t recall when I wasn’t. I have always valued the support & benefits, particularly the training that the association has had to offer.
Expertise:
I feel that I am able to offer the benefit of my many years experience working mainly within the community setting, which I still very much enjoy. Although I did not follow an academic interpreting route (it is not ideal for everyone), I have undertaken a wide range of short courses to achieve a good working knowledge of the many community settings in which I work in today. I have a particular interest in health, police, legal, social care & child protection domains. I have encountered many different dilemmas along the way and feel that I am able to share & reflect on those experiences for the benefit of others. I believe that through reflection we can strive to continue & improve our practice.
I decided to leave RAD in 2003 in order to become freelance, work part time & to allow myself time to do other things such as going off now & again in our motor home with our three KC Cavalier spaniels! I also enjoy reading, walking & swimming & cooking & entertaining friends for dinner. I live near Colchester in Essex and am happy to travel within East Anglia & into London or Kent.