Course a success in any language

OLDHAM Mayor Councillor Richard Knowles took time out on his birthday to support interpreters who have volunteered to help others.

He presented certificates to a group of local interpreters who have completed a course organised by Great Places Housing Group.

The free course — funded by the Neighbourhood for Deprived Communities Fund (NLDCF), led by North West Interpreting Ltd, and supported by the Workers’ Education Association — has helped residents gain new skills in return for giving up their own time to volunteer to help other local people who are not good English speakers.

A total of 15 residents have gained an Open College Network qualification at level 2/3 in Introduction to Advanced Community Interpreting.

The interpreters speak a range of languages including Chinese, Urdu, Pahari, Punjabi, Pushto, Bangla, and Sylheti.