NEWS/BLOG
Vezire is our November interpreter of the month!
Every month we celebrate one of our fantastic interpreters and thank them for their hard work, dedication and for going the extra mile. Our November interpreter of the month is Vezire, one of our Albanian interpreters. The whole Clear Voice team send their thanks for the amazing feedback you receive!
We spoke to Vezire about why she became an interpreter, the benefits of the work, and what she enjoys about interpreting.
Vezire’s Story
I am an Albanian interpreter and I have lived in the UK for over seven years. I finished university in Albania and I then moved to Greece where I lived for almost five years. My husband is Greek which is why I made that move. We then came to the UK together and have lived here ever since.
Before I became an interpreter I worked as a senior paralegal and as an immigration advisor. For over four years, across two different firms, I worked on immigration issues and assisted Albanian clients. I am especially interested in immigration and I really like being able to help people. People are suffering and I understand their difficulties dealing with immigration system. I was glad to be able to support them and, for me, it was not at all about the money.
Why I became an interpreter
In January of this year I gave birth and so I went on maternity leave. When I was looking to return to work I wanted a different job, a new experience, and something more flexible. A friend and colleague of mine told me about Clear Voice and advised me to apply. With my years of experience helping Albanian clients, it was the perfect fit. Being an interpreter is flexible which is much more convenient for me, especially with my little one. I can work from home, choose my hours, and I am enjoying it!
How I approach interpreting
What I enjoy most about interpreting is being able to help people. Some clients are very scared. As an interpreter sometimes you feel you can’t do much. I am just there to interpret, to enable the conversations that might bring them help. But I try to offer reassurance that everything will be fine without saying words of my own. I try to make them feel good, relaxed and that I am the same person as them: I am not there to judge or show that I am above them, I am there to be their voice. This is why face-to-face interpreting, and the human interaction that comes through it, is important.
Going above and beyond
I also like to support the vulnerable clients as much as I can. When it is appropriate, I have donated clothes and household items to help support them. Recently I was interpreting for a client who gave birth prematurely and I was able to donate a steriliser to her which otherwise she would have had to apply and wait for. I’m grateful that sometimes I can offer this extra help to people in need.
I’m honoured
It is a real honour to be chosen as interpreter of the month and to read the generous feedback that I have received. Sometimes the clients thank you and say you’ve done a great job, but I’m really, really happy to hear that so many people are grateful for my work.