TLS to supply North East London ICB area pharmacies
We are delighted to announce that through our partnership with North-East London Integrated Care Board (ICB), TLS is now the approved language services supplier to all pharmacies in its area.
As pharmacies take on an increased role in care provision to relieve pressure on GP surgeries, there is a corresponding increased need to offer communication support for patients. That is where TLS will step in, supplying interpreters to cover spoken language communication needs.
The area includes more than 360 pharmacies, all of which can now benefit from the same high-quality services and competitive rates as the ICB itself.
Important dates for your diary - June
4-9 (dependent on moon sighting), Hajj, Islam
Hajj is the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It always takes place during the 12th month of the Islamic year, Dhu’al-Hijjah. Every practising Muslim is expected to make the journey at least once, as long as they are able. Once at the Masjid al-Haram, the Great Mosque of Mecca, pilgrims must perform a series of rituals. The pilgrimage is physically and emotionally demanding and a chance to cleanse oneself spiritually.
18, Autistic Pride Day
Autistic Pride Day is held annually on 18 June. The day aims to bring together autistic people and celebrate their unique identities. It promotes awareness and understanding of autism and other forms of neurodiversity as ways of being, rather than conditions that need to be cured. Originally based on the gay Pride model, it uses the rainbow infinity symbol as its logo. Organisers make resources available closer to the day so that anyone can get involved, hosting an event or celebration to mark it. Go to www.autisticprideday.org for more information.
June’s dates at a glance
Religious/Cultural
2-3 – Shavuot, Judaism
5-9 – Hajj, Islam
6 – Waqf Al Arafa, Islam
7 – Saturday of Souls, Orthodox Christian
7-10 – Eid Al-Adha, Islam
8 – Pentecost, Christian
12 – Guru Hargobind Jayanti, Sikh
15 – Eid Al-Ghadir, Islam
15 – Trinity Sunday, Christian
16 – The Apostles’ Fast begins, Orthodox Christian
16 – Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev, Sikh
19 – The Feast of Corpus Christi, Catholic Christian
20 – Litha, Wicca and Pagan
24 – Nativity of Saint John The Baptist, Christian
26 – Islamic New Year, Islam
27 – Feast of The Sacred Heart of Jesus, Catholic Christian
29 – Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, Christian
Awareness and Events
4 – International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression
8 – Race Unity Day
9-15 – Men’s Health Week
12 – World Day Against Child Labour
14 – Global Wellness Day
15 – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
15 – Father’s Day
15-21 – Refugee Week
18 – Autistic Pride Day
20 – World Refugee Day
21 – Summer Solstice
22 – UK Windrush Day
23-27 – School Diversity Week
Language Fact File - Ukrainian
Ukrainian is spoken as a native language in: Ukraine
Number of native speakers: 33 million
Learn some: Greet someone at any time of day with the casual ‘pryvit’, which means hello or hi. If you want to go one further and ask how they are, it’s ‘yak spravy?’
Fast facts:
It’s easy to make your writing more interesting in Ukrainian, as there are so many synonyms – words that have approximately the same meaning. Even a very specific word like ‘horizon’ has 12 synonyms!
Ukrainian is a very old language, though exactly how old is the subject of debate. It evolved from Old East Slavic, which diverged into several modern Eastern European languages.
Ukrainian is known for its widespread use of diminutive forms (making the subject little, eg the diminutive of ‘book’ in English is ‘booklet’), which is made by changing the word ending. This is often applied to names to express affection, eg Oksana would be Oksanchik or Oksanochka. Like Spanish, Ukrainian uses these a lot!
The linguist's story - May '25
Every month, we get to know a bit more about one of our linguists. This month we meet Valeriia Davies an interpreter working in Ukrainian and Russian.
Tell us about the work you do for TLS.
In my role with TLS, I mostly complete bookings via our on-demand telephone service and pre-booked video calls.
What has been your biggest challenge?
One of the biggest challenges I faced was during a call where I had to interpret the news that a patient from Ukraine — a beloved family member – had just passed away in a UK hospital. In that moment, the greatest difficulty was balancing the need to stay professionally accurate while also being sensitive to the deep emotional pain the family was experiencing.
I had to deliver devastating news in a way that was clear, respectful and compassionate, even though my instinct as a human being was to comfort them. I also had to manage my own emotions to remain professional for both the medical team and the family, ensuring that nothing was lost in translation at such a critical time. It was a reminder that as interpreters, we are not just conveying words — we are carrying emotions, and we must do so with great care.
Can you tell us about a time your work has made a difference to someone’s life?
Every time I hear “thank you” from the clients or service users, it makes my day.
One experience that stands out is when I interpreted for a Ukrainian patient during an emergency call where the client was experiencing signs of a stroke. The client spoke very limited English and was extremely frightened. I worked closely with the medical team, ensuring that every symptom and response was accurately and immediately communicated. Because time is critical in stroke cases, being able to quickly and clearly interpret both the patient’s words and the medical team's questions helped speed up diagnosis and treatment. The doctors later told me that our rapid communication helped them administer life-saving care in the crucial window. It was an emotionally exhausting call for me, but at the same time I felt relieved that I helped a lot to save this patient’s life.
One of the other most impactful moments in my work with TLS was during a call where I interpreted for a client in severe emotional distress who was experiencing suicidal thoughts. They spoke no English, just Ukrainian, and it was clear they felt isolated and overwhelmed. Throughout the call, I focused not only on translating words accurately but also on conveying the emotion behind them and making sure the mental health crisis team could fully understand the urgency and pain the caller was expressing.
At the same time, I stayed calm and steady to help the caller feel heard and supported. Knowing that my role helped bridge the gap between someone in crisis and the help they needed is something I will always remember. Moments like that remind me how vital clear, compassionate interpretation can be — not just for understanding, but for saving lives.
Tell us something interesting about you
Originally from Kharkiv, Ukraine. I’m very passionate about linguistics, fluent in 5 languages, learning 2 new languages and working on my PHD. I'm very lucky to say that I love my job being a self-employed interpreter/translator and working for one of the leading UK translating agencies, TLS. I’m blessed with the opportunity to be able to help people daily and make a difference in other people’s lives.
Important dates for your diary - May
1, Beltane, Wicca and Pagan
Beltane is the ancient Celtic festival marking the beginning of summer and the rebirth of life – an important event in the agrarian year! The first mention of it is in a glossary thought to have been written by a bishop named Cormac, who died in 908 AD. This described cattle being led between two bonfires, to protect them from disease before they were sent out to pasture. This tradition was still being observed in Ireland as late as the 19th century, and today Beltane is still celebrated with the lighting of fires.
5-11, Deaf Awareness Week
Deaf Awareness Week was created by the UK Council on Deafness to make deafness and the barriers Deaf and hard of hearing people face more visible to hearing people. The theme for Deaf Awareness Week 2025 is Beyond Silence, encouraging better understanding of diverse communication methods, such as sign language, lip reading and assistive technology. It also aims to raise awareness of the barriers faced by Deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK.
May’s dates at a glance:
Religious/cultural
1 – Beltane, Wicca and Pagan
1 – Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Judaism
1 – Twelfth Day of Ridvan, Baha’i
3 – Feast of Saints Philip and James, Catholic Christian
11 – Guru Amar Das Jayanti, Sikh
12 – Vesak, Buddhist
14 – Feast of Saint Matthias, Catholic Christian
16 – Lag Baomer, Judaism
23 – Declaration of the Báb, Baha’i
26 – Yom Yerushalayim, Judaism
28 – Ascension of Baha‘U’llah, Baha’i
29 – Feast of the Ascension, Orthodox Christian
31 – Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Catholic Christian
Awareness and Events
1 – International Workers’ Day
4 – International Family Equality Day
5-11 – Deaf Awareness Week
8 – World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day
12-18 – Coeliac UK Awareness Week
Language fact file - Dutch
Language fact file: Dutch
Dutch is spoken as a native language in: The Netherlands, northern Belgium and Suriname.
Number of native speakers: 25 million
Learn some: English is very widely spoken in the Netherlands, but if you want to be polite, you can ask ‘spreek je Engels?’, which means ‘do you speak English?’
Fast facts:
Dutch is said to be halfway between German and English, making it easy - in theory - for English speakers to learn. However, pronunciation is notoriously difficult!
Like German, Dutch uses a lot of compound nouns – words that are created by lumping lots of nouns together! The longest one in the official Dutch dictionary is said to be meervoudigepersoonlijkheidsstoornissen, which means multiple personality disorders. However in 2007, a Dutch TV show called Lingo held a competition to see who could come up with the longest word and the winning entry was kindercarnavalsoptochtvoorbereidingswerkzaamhedencomitéleden, meaning ‘children’s carnival parade preparation work committee members’! Useful.
Dutch people call their language Nederlands and the German language Duits. The words Dutch, Duits and Deutsch (the German word for German) all come from an old Germanic word meaning the language of the people.
The TLS Employee’s Story (April)
Every month, we get to know a bit more about one of our linguists. This month however, we are introducing one of our TLS team: Lydia Smith, product manager.
How long have you been working for TLS?
I’ve been working at TLS for five and a half years, having joined as a graduate in late 2019. It’s been a varied and rewarding journey so far.
Tell us about the work you do for TLS.
I’m currently a product manager, focused on improving and developing our systems and app to enhance the user experience. My role involves gathering feedback from users and internal teams, shaping that into new features or optimisations, and working with our developers to deliver them.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work across different areas of the business. I started in the MOJ team, then moved into tenders and commercial work, and later became delivery manager in the Language Examinations Team. That role sparked my interest in using technology to solve problems, which ultimately led me to product management.
What’s been your favourite project at TLS?
Working on the assessment management system for the Exams Team. It’s been a great opportunity to combine my current role with the experience I gained in that team previously. The project covers the full assessment lifecycle, from candidates submitting their responses through to assessor marking and feedback, which makes it both complex and rewarding to work on.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Supporting the transition to our new platform and app, as well as supporting all our users through the change. It was the first time TLS had developed an app, and the project involved many moving parts across different teams. It’s been a significant piece of work, but also a really rewarding one; seeing the positive impact on the user experience and how much easier it’s made managing bookings for customers, interpreters, and our team has made it all worthwhile. I’m continuing to enjoy building on it and making further improvements.
Tell us something interesting about you
I’ve got a real soft spot for animals. I love them to bits (except maybe snakes and wasps… they’re just a bit too unpredictable for my liking!). I’ve been surrounded by animals my whole life. My family have always had dogs, and we currently have a very spoilt Golden Retriever and Spaniel.
I’m also a huge Swiftie and a massive foodie. I love trying new dishes and exploring food from different cultures—especially when travelling.
Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation shows we are keeping data safe
We’re proud to announce that TLS has achieved Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation, a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to data security and best practices in cybersecurity.
Cyber Essentials Plus is a government-backed certification that goes beyond the basic requirements by including a rigorous hands-on technical verification. It demonstrates that our systems and processes not only meet but exceed industry standards for safeguarding against the most common cyber threats.
For our clients and partners, this accreditation offers added reassurance: your data is protected by robust, independently verified security measures. It reflects our proactive approach to risk management and our dedication to maintaining the highest levels of trust and compliance.
If you have any questions about Cyber Essentials Plus, please speak to your account manager.
your month ahead - April
14, Vaisakhi, Sikh
Vaisakhi is one of the most important dates of the calendar for Sikhs, marking the founding of the Khalsa in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh. Sikhs observe the day by visiting their gurdwara and singing devotional hymns. Vaisakhi is also a spring harvest festival; this aspect is celebrated by both Sikhs and Hindus, particularly in Punjab and the north of India. These festivities take the form of village fairs with music and decorated floats.
18-21, Easter Weekend, Christian
Easter weekend is a very significant holiday for Christians, remembering the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It covers four days: Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion and is a sombre day of reflection; Holy Saturday is another day of reflection and preparation for the following day; Easter Sunday marks Jesus’s resurrection and is celebrated with long church services and family meals; Easter Monday is a public holiday without any specific religious significance, other than to relax and reflect. Easter is also celebrated by non-Christians as a festival of spring, with chocolate eggs representing new life.
April dates at a glance
Religious/cultural
April dates at a glance
Religious/cultural
4 – Navpad Oli begins, Jain
6 – Rama Navami, Hindu
10 – Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, Jain
12 – Hanuman Jayanti, Hindu
12 – Lazarus Saturday, Orthodox Christian
13 – Palm Sunday, Orthodox Christian
13 – Songkran (Thai New Year), Buddhism
13-15 – Theravada New Year, Buddhism
13-20 – Passover, Judaism
14 – Puthandu, Hindu
14 – Vaisakhi, Hindu and Sikh
17 – Maundy Thursday, Christian
18 – Holy Friday, Orthodox Christian
18 – Guru Tegh Bahadur Jayanti, Sikh
18 – Good Friday, Christian
20 – Easter Sunday, Christian
20 – Pascha (Easter), Orthodox Christian
20 – First Day of Ridvan, Baha’i
20 – Guru Arjun Dev Jayanti, Sikh
21 – Easter Monday, Christian
21 – Grounation Day, Rastafari
23 – Saint George’s Day, Christian
24 – Yom Hashoah, Judaism
25 – Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist, Catholic Christian
28 – Ninth Day of Ridvan, Baha’i
28 – Guru Angad Dev Jayanti, Sikh
30 – Saint James the Great’s Day, Orthodox Christian
30 – Akshaya Tritiya, Hindu and Jain
30 – Yom Hazikaron, Judaism
Awareness and Events
1 – Fools’ Day
2 – World Autism Awareness Day
6 – International Asexuality Day
7 – World Health Day
8 – International Romani Day
11-13 – TUC's Black Workers' Conference
22 – Earth Day
25 – World Malaria Day
26 – Lesbian Visibility Day
28 – World Day for Health and Safety At Work
Language fact file: Mandarin
Mandarin is spoken in: Mainland China, Taiwan and Singapore
Number of native speakers: 918 million
Learn some: In Mandarin, the standard way to ask ‘how are you?’ is ‘ni hao ma?’ (你好吗?) But a more colloquial and Chinese way to ask is ‘ni chi le ma?’ (你吃了吗?), which literally means ‘have you eaten?’ and shows the importance of food to Chinese culture!
Fast facts:
Mandarin is tonal, which means the way you express a sound (high, rising, dip and falling) affects its meaning. There are four tones, plus a neutral one, so for learners there is a lot of potential for (sometimes embarrassing) mistakes!
Mandarin has lots of different names, which have various meanings. One of these is Putonghua, which means ‘common tongue’. This is used to highlight the existence of the many other Chinese languages and dialects, besides the standard.
We have several expressions taken directly from the Mandarin, such as ‘long time no see’ and ‘no can do’. These show how succinct and concise the language is; expressing yourself in Mandarin takes far fewer words than in English!