about us

Everyday Language Solutions (ELS) is a not for profit organisation that provides a comprehensive range of premium quality interpretation and translation services to the North East community and beyond.

As a registered charity our aim is to support the promotion of good race relations and the elimination of discrimination through more effective communication.

We provide interpreting services to a wide variety of customers including:

  • Primary Care Trusts
  • Doctors
  • Dentists
  • Opticians
  • Crown Courts
  • Magistrates Courts
  • Mental Health
  • Police
  • Solicitors
  • Schools
  • Immigration
  • Housing
  • Job Centres
  • Care Homes
  • Social Services
  • Asylum Support
  • Registry Offices
  • Banks

Objects and Activities:

  • To provide a professional, confidential, impartial interpretation, translation and advocacy service for the North East region of England serving community groups, individuals and local service providers.
  • To encourage local community groups to formalise their language skills to become professional Translators and Interpreters to enhance their employment opportunities.
  • To encourage local agencies to create an equal access to their services for non English speakers by acknowledging the need for professional interpretation and translation services.
  • To identify and understand the barriers faced by ethnic minority communities and negotiate policy issues with service providers.
  • To support and advise all BME voluntary and community organisations in Teesside to develop and maintain themselves effectively, understand their statutory and non statutory rights and establish a positive relationship with mainstream service providers.
  • To provide educational and other bi-lingual information, including the use of audio tapes, on mainstream and local services.
  • To provide translation and tutor materials and translated information on mainstream and local services.
  • To provide an advocacy service for those community and voluntary groups and individuals who require advice and information and have limited access to statutory service.

The Charity has a general aim to improve the quality of life of the local BME community by providing support for them to access services and advice in the region and thereby facilitate their integration into the wider community.

The main objective continues to be the provision of professional confidential, impartial interpretation, translation and advocacy service for the North East region of England serving community groups, individuals and local service providers. The Charity has been able to achieve this through a structured strategy designed to build upon the good work already undertaken by the Charity and to broaden its scope of operations by reaching more beneficiaries and service providers.

Trustee Details:

Dr Nazar Imam: Chairman

Hugh Prior: Company Secretary
Hugh Prior has been a Trustee of ELS for five years and comes from a background involving Third and Public Sector development. He is currently the senior partner in a business and training consultancy firm based in the Tees Valley and continues to support charities and social enterprises in the area as well as private sector clients. His particular specialty is in HR management and organisational development.

David Dorman-Smith: Treasurer

Jeff Lupton
Retired from a career in the Chemical Industry, current activities include: Board member of the Industry, Nature, Conservation Association ( INCA), Trustee of the Stockton Almshouses and a Magistrate. Other interests include, Past President of The Rotary Club of Teesside West, member of Dinsdale Spa Golf Club, Art, Bridge, and the Accordion.

Bill Overin

Ian Collinson
Chartered Engineer, Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers
and retired Director of BASF plc.