With the unique challenges faced by businesses across the world, practicing social distancing is arguably one of the biggest, set to be part of our lives for the foreseeable future. The rules in place have meant that not only socially do we need to be aware of our distance between each other, but in the way that we work and provide services.

Here at Talking Heads, we took this challenge head-on to ensure that our services will still reach as many people as possible whilst maintaining social distancing guidelines to keep both our clients and staff safe. Previously, we posted about how in general social distancing has challenged translation services due to remote working and the restriction on large gatherings, but how have we managed to adapt in particular?

Here, we’ll detail the changes we’ve made for adapting post-COVID-19 whilst providing an uninterrupted service.

The ‘New Norm’ from Talking Heads

One of the biggest hurdles was ensuring we could still provide our clients with interpreting services despite not being able to do face-to-face interpreting whilst lockdown measures where enforced. Now that lockdown is easing and many places are reopening, this has improved, but before so we adapted in the following ways: ·        

• Telephone Interpreting – currently available at a reduced rate, our multilingual telephone operators will arrange telephone interpretation where meeting in person is not possible.

• Multi-Person Conference Calling - with call recording included, we arrange conference calling facilities for multiple attendees that includes an interpreter.

• Video Interpreting – available on any video platform including Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp, FB Messenger, we’re providing video interpreting currently at a reduced rate including our own conference facility video.

• Excellent Written Translation Services - continuing as usual, this service has been uninterrupted throughout lockdown and going forward. This has all helped to provide our clients with alternative options to our regular face-to-face interpreting meetings and services that ensure the level of service they would normally experience is not affected. Now that lockdown is easing, we have been able to start providing socially distanced services.  

Face-to-Face Interpreting Sessions are provided in our cleansed, socially distance enabled spaces in central Leeds and Sheffield; we are happy to provide our excellent face to face interpretation again to clients where requested.

• COVID Clean Facilities - all facilities are disinfected before each session / use with hand sanitiser available and hand-washing areas clearly marked.

• Easy Booking Facility – book a room in our Leeds or Sheffield location at the same time as you book your Interpreter or hire separately for your own use.

• Ample Free Parking On-Site – as well as following social distancing guidelines within our facilities, our on-site parking is also maintained to follow safe distancing.

Our Reopened Facilities

We are pleased to be able to offer two central locations that follow strict guidelines to ensure the safety of those visiting and using them:

Leeds (LS1)
Our meeting rooms within our Leeds office are open for booking face to face interpreting sessions at the same time as you book your Interpreter - or hired separately for your own use. The spaces are set up for safe use, including 2-metre social distancing spots, one-way directional arrows and Perspex screens that are placed in between workstations, if required.

Sheffield (S4)
Our large Head Office ground floor meeting room is also available for safe use. The meeting table accommodates up to 10 people (all at 2-metre separation) and has downstairs toilet facilities, which would only be used by the meeting attendees.

If you would like to find out more about our ‘new norm’ and book a meeting room for face-to-face interpreting services, please do get in touch and we’ll be able to arrange and discuss your requirements. Find out more about our excellent sector-specific Translation Services here.