Nicola Sturgeon Launches Happy to Translate Mobile App

Scottish initiative places the power to overcome language barriers in the palm of your hand
Glasgow, 13th November 2015: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon unveiled the new mobile app produced by Happy to Translate, a Scottish initiative which helps organisations communicate with customers who face a language barrier.

The innovative mobile app helps to identify a customer's language and takes them through a series of simple steps and phrases in languages from across the world. The app also has the option to connect the organisation to their preferred interpretation supplier, providing a seamless communication and service delivery to customers whose first language is not English.

The mobile app, developed with funding from the National Lottery and Lintel Trust, is available to use by members of Happy to Translate, which is managed by Trust Housing Association.

'Happy to Translate has always been dynamic in its response to the needs of its members', said Rhona McLeod, Chief Executive of Trust Housing Association. 'This latest move towards the use of technology was the obvious next step in the growth of the initiative and the mobile app will prove to be a successful addition to the existing portfolio of Happy to Translate tools.'

Ms Sturgeon, said: 'This is a new and innovative approach from Happy to Translate. I'm delighted to launch it and I look forward to hearing how the mobile app is helping service providers meet the needs of people who face a language barrier.'

Pictured L-R:

Heather Pearson (Chair - Trust Enterprises Ltd.);
Rhona McLeod (Chief Executive - Trust Housing Association);
Nicola Sturgeon (First Minister);
Rohini Sharma Joshi (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Manager - Trust Housing Association);
Ian Crawford (Board Member - Trust Enterprises Ltd.);
Jack Marshall (Director of Business Services - Trust Housing Association)