Rapport Interpreting

Based in Warwickshire, Rapport Interpreting operates within a region that blends rural communities with growing urban centres, including Coventry, Birmingham, and the wider West Midlands. This area has a diverse population and a strong public sector presence, including universities, healthcare trusts, and local government bodies. The demand for high-quality interpreting services, particularly British Sign Language (BSL), has grown steadily as organisations seek to improve accessibility and comply with equality legislation. Rapport Interpreting was founded in 2018 by Sarah Butt, a registered sign language interpreter, to address this need with a focus on building genuine relationships between all parties involved in communication.

What Rapport Interpreting Does

Rapport Interpreting specialises in British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting and related communication support services. The agency’s core offering is connecting deaf and hearing individuals through skilled, professional interpretation across a wide range of settings. This includes business interpreting for meetings, conferences, and client interactions; community interpreting in healthcare, social services, and legal contexts; and specialised work in higher education, arts and media, and religious or faith-based environments. The agency also provides remote interpreting services, which have become increasingly important for flexibility and accessibility. Beyond interpretation, Rapport Interpreting offers sign language coaching and consulting, helping organisations and individuals develop their own communication skills. The agency’s name reflects its guiding principle: putting relationship at the heart of communication, ensuring that every assignment is handled with sensitivity, professionalism, and a focus on mutual understanding.

Who They Serve

Rapport Interpreting works with a broad client base across the public, private, and voluntary sectors. Their clients include businesses needing interpreting for meetings or events, universities supporting deaf students and staff, healthcare providers requiring patient-facing interpretation, and arts organisations looking to make performances and exhibitions accessible. The agency also serves faith communities, offering Christian interpreting and work in Christian-affirming settings, as well as religious interpretation in other domains. Nonprofit organisations and charities benefit from their expertise in nonprofit governance and community interpreting. The agency’s clients often require interpreters registered with the National Register of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD), and Rapport Interpreting ensures all assignments are staffed by qualified, registered professionals. Their work in business management and business administration contexts means they are familiar with corporate environments, while their experience in higher education interpreting positions them well for academic settings.

Areas of Expertise

Rapport Interpreting’s expertise spans multiple interpreting domains, reflecting the diverse needs of their clients. Key areas include:

• British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting for business, community, and public sector settings
• Remote interpreting services with secure WiFi setup for virtual meetings and events
• Sign language coaching and training for individuals and organisations
• Consulting on inclusive communication, including access to work interpreting arrangements
• Specialised interpreting in arts, media, and higher education contexts
• Faith-based and religious interpretation, including Christian and affirming settings
• Professional supervision and client relationship management to ensure consistent quality

Rapport Interpreting also maintains a clear cancellation policy and prioritises professional supervision for their interpreters, ensuring ongoing development and adherence to best practices. The agency’s founder, Sarah Butt, brings a personal commitment to inclusive, relationship-driven work that goes beyond transactional service delivery.

Who Rapport Interpreting Is a Good Fit For

Rapport Interpreting is well-suited for organisations in Warwickshire and the wider West Midlands that require reliable, professional BSL interpreting services with a personal touch. It is an excellent choice for businesses, public sector bodies, universities, and charities that value clear, ethical communication and want to work with an interpreter who prioritises building rapport. The agency is particularly appropriate for clients in faith-based or arts settings, where sensitivity to context and audience is crucial. For those seeking a consistent, NRCPD-registered interpreter who understands the nuances of different domains, Rapport Interpreting offers a focused, relationship-centred approach that stands apart from larger, less personalised agencies.