Sarah Haynes
Chair
|
 Isobel Higgins
Rep |
 Rosemary Berry Training Rep |
|
|---|---|---|---|
ASLI Bristol / South West region has a large membership of enthusiastic, supportive interpreters.
We aim to meet monthly in Bristol or in other parts of the region (sometimes in the pub!). The meetings are open to all ASLI members and invited guests and we often have presentations from visitors as well as discussion about issues relating to interpreting in the region and nationally. Sometimes our meetings have a second part for working interpreters only which is a chance to discuss real life issues arising from our work and share experiences or seek advice if necessary. There is always plenty of healthy debate!
For more information about meeting dates and venues contact the Chair or Reps.
Our region has developed the Jane Powell Memorial Library.
Author: Sarah Haynes
Official ASLI email : southwest@asli.org.uk
Date of report: June 2008
Current membership of your Group: based on 2007-08 membership year
Full members: 24
Associate members: 12
Student members: 2
(Corporate & Individual supporters: 7)
Summary of recent events:
Regional meetings in March in Bristol to discuss the motions for the AGM (12 in attendance including 1 non-member who is considering ASLI membership who was invited as a guest) and May in Gloucester (7 in attendance)
Around half of our regional members attended conference in April. We also organised taking part of a quiz night in a local pub in April.
During March we also held a special meeting with invited Deaf professionals who work in interpreting or related roles in order to discuss how we can better work together and how ASLI members may be able to learn from these Deaf professionals and what support we can offer each other.
Summary of recent significant contacts:
ASLI regional representatives have been in contact with representatives from the Bristol BSL Forum to try to resolve ongoing issues that Deaf people are facing in getting suitable interpreter provision for hospital appointments.
We are also in contact with Bristol City Council to offer assistance in development of evacuation plans for major incidents in the city, including the possibility of creating a list of interpreters who could be contacted in an emergency.
Meetings planned in the next 3 months:
Regional meetings planned in north Bristol in June, and July, probably in Bath.
More correspondence will also be taking place with the contacts which have been developing over the last quarter. There may be the opportunity to pursue other contacts in relation to developments in the region which affect interpreters who have approached the regional Chair informally.
Dates for the ASLI Calendar:
19th June – Bristol & South West Regional Meeting 7pm
14th July – Bristol & South West Regional Meeting 7pm
Region : Bristol & South West
Report Author: Sarah Haynes
Date of report: February 2008
1. Current Membership of your group:
23 Full Members
13 Associate Members
2 Student Members
2 Affiliates
5 Corporate Affiliates
2. Your Contact email:
southwest@asli.org.uk
3. Summary of recent Events including attendance:
Two social events have taken place in the last quarter – A meal at Christmas and
bowling in February
4. Summary of recent significant contacts, networking, meetings:
2 ASLI reps were present at a meeting between the 2 regional BSL Forums from the
Deaf community and managers from one of the local NHS Trusts. This was to discuss
Deaf people’s access to the hospital systems, including the complaints procedures and
also access to interpreters. This is at present very variable and includes the use of
untrained and unqualified ‘bank’ members of staff, resulting in a list of complaints from
Deaf patients.
On 7th January 2008 twelve members visited a custody suite and VIPER suite (video
equivalent of an identity parade ‘line-up’) at a local police station. There was the
opportunity to ask questions and to see what processes happen to a Deaf person if they
are arrested and brought into custody.
Regional meetings have been held every month and included discussion about national
debates and proposals, as well as issues happening in the region (including the hospital
trusts issues)
5. Meetings planned in the next 3 months:
Meeting with some of the Deaf people in the region who work in an interpreting role to
discuss how we may be able to work together and support each other.
Regional meetings in March and May. The March meeting will focus on discussing and
motions to be raised at AGM in order for members to be encouraged to vote to help
them do this.
More meetings are planned with the NHS Trust (the first at the beginning of March) to try
to assist the Deaf community in resolving the interpreting issues in the hospitals.
7. Dates for the ASLI Calendar:
Regional meetings: 17th March, 13th May, 19th June 2008
November 2007
Since the summer Bristol & South West region have been meeting monthly and making plans for the coming months.
In September the region met to discuss plans for the next few months and discuss issues relating to the NEC Away Weekend.
In October we met with representatives from University of Bristol’s Centre for Deaf Studies to discuss plans for an improved student placement scheme for interpreting students at the University.
We also met for a second time this year with a rep from the tax office who talked to a small group about self employment and tax issues.
November sees the first of a series of meetings with agencies which are planned over the coming months to feedback to the agencies and improve working relationships.
Future plans
In early January the region is planning a visit and tour of a custody suite for those interpreters who are considering police related work. This will give members a better idea of the procedures at the police station.
We are also planning a meeting with Deaf professionals in the area who work in some kind of ‘interpreting’ role. We want to improve links with these Deaf people and explore possible ways of working together.
Click here to view our presentation to the recent NEC Away Weekend. 