Tolk is a leading provider of digital and AI-based language solutions, dedicated to breaking down language barriers and fostering effective communication.

Founded in 2015, we have grown rapidly, securing major contracts with councils, healthcare providers, and law enforcement, making a significant impact in Sweden. Our innovative platform offers a range of language services, from real-time interpreting to in-language messaging, tailored to meet the needs of diverse populations. Our unique proposition includes not just technological solutions but also quick access to our customer support, ensuring that we provide both high-quality service and are readily available for our customers. Now, we are excited to bring our expertise to the UK and to help create a more inclusive and connected London. 

We are excited to share our journey as Tolk expands its services into the UK, aiming to bridge language gaps and empower communities through clear and effective communication. With London’s vibrant and multicultural tapestry, we see an immense opportunity to ensure everyone has access to essential services regardless of the language they speak. 

 

The Challenges and Opportunities of Language Solutions in the UK  

The UK’s rich linguistic diversity, with over 300 languages spoken, presents significant challenges and opportunities in areas such as healthcare, education, public services, legal services, and support for crime victims. Ensuring effective communication across language barriers is essential for social inclusion and equality. Traditional interpreting services often struggle to meet the high demand, necessitating innovative solutions that can scale efficiently and provide high-quality service. 

As interpreters must navigate complex cultural nuances, which can lead to miscommunications and misunderstandings if not handled properly. For example, certain social service terminologies or legal jargon may not have direct translations, causing critical information to be lost or misunderstood. This can lead to serious consequences such as incorrect social service interventions or educational placements. Additionally, maintaining consistency and quality across multiple sessions is challenging, especially when different interpreters are involved. Clients often face difficulties in ensuring that the same terminology and style are used consistently, which can disrupt continuity and cause confusion. Tolk addresses these accuracy challenges with a unique matching engine that pairs clients with interpreters who have the appropriate training, skill sets and experience in specific fields like social services and education. 

Geographical limitations further exacerbate these issues. In-person interpretation services are often limited by location, making it difficult for people in remote areas to access qualified interpreters. This can result in delays and increased travel costs, making it less feasible for regular use. Tolk’s platform helps reduce travel costs and CO2 emissions by recommending which conversations can be changed to remote and by matching clients with the highest qualified interpreter who is nearest to the customer for face-to-face interactions, ensuring timely and efficient services.

Moreover, the evolving nature of languages, with new slang and terms emerging regularly, poses a constant challenge for interpreters to stay updated. This can lead to outdated or inaccurate translations, impacting the effectiveness of communication. Tolk addresses this by utilizing a sophisticated rating system and a self-learning platform that continuously updates interpreter profiles based on feedback and performance. This system prioritizes the most preferred interpreters for clients, ensuring that those with the highest ratings and relevant experience are matched to assignments. This approach not only keeps our interpreters up-to-date with language changes but also ensures that clients receive consistent, high-quality service from their preferred interpreters. 

Availability and scheduling also present significant challenges. Customers often face uncertainty with traditional providers, not knowing if they will get an interpreter at all. This unpredictability can be particularly problematic in urgent or planned scenarios within boroughs and councils, where timely decisions affecting citizens are crucial. Tolk solves this by allowing clients to pre-book interpreters and receive confirmation several days in advance, ensuring reliability and peace of mind. By leveraging advanced technology and a vast network of skilled interpreters, Tolk ensures precise, culturally sensitive communication and addresses these challenges effectively. 

By continuously working closely with customers in the public sector, we have systematically addressed these challenges by deeply understanding their needs and being dedicated to resolving them through technology and improved processes and workflows.

 

The Human-Centric Approach 

At Tolk, our vision is to ensure every voice is heard. We achieve this by seamlessly matching each customer’s unique needs with cutting-edge language services, primarily through professional human interpreters. While our platform leverages cutting-edge digital and AI technology, the heart of our service is the human interpreters who facilitate clear and effective communication. Our digital solution comprises a mobile application and an accessible web platform where instant access to interpreters can be obtained. Additionally, we provide both human-based and AI-based translation services, ensuring that all translation needs are met with precision and speed. We also conduct extensive R&D in AI translations and interpretations, a journey we began in 2017, to continuously improve our services and be a transformative partner in the AI journey for our clients. 

 

Tolk’s Ethos 

Our ethos is deeply rooted in using technology to help those in need. We believe in leveraging our innovative solutions to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. Every year, we help hundreds of thousands of clients through our high-impact and quality language services. Our commitment to social good drives us to ensure that everyone, regardless of their language, can access the services and support they need. 

 

Our Journey and Achievements in Sweden 

Founded in 2015, Tolk has become a leading language service provider in Sweden. We have secured numerous multi-year contracts across various states, councils and government entities by combining technology with a deep commitment to quality and flexibility. Our automated platform delivers human-based remote interpreting services in seconds, significantly impacting sectors like healthcare, where timely and accurate communication is crucial. 

We have transformed interpreting services by offering interpreters for less commonly spoken languages and innovative features like automated text messages in patients’ native languages. This approach has set us apart and enabled us to address communication needs effectively. 

 

Support from the UK Government and Local Agencies 

Our expansion into the UK would not have been possible without the invaluable support from London & Partners and being accepted into the Department for Business and Trade’s flagship programme, the Global Entrepreneurship Program (GEP) by the UK government. These entities have been instrumental in facilitating our entry into the UK market, helping us navigate the complex landscape of local councils and boroughs. Their endorsement has validated our approach and underscored the pressing need for advanced language solutions in the UK.  

Since launching in the UK, we have received incredibly positive feedback from users who have been dissatisfied with their previous, more archaic providers. Our innovative approach and commitment to quality have resonated well with the community, further validating the need for our services. 

 

Impact on Patients, Crime Victims, and Citizens 

Our services have a profound impact on various segments of society, including patients, crime victims, and citizens in conversations with social services. Consider a story from Sweden: a young mother, referred to here as Maria, who spoke limited Swedish, was struggling to communicate with doctors about her child’s health. Thanks to our real-time interpreting services, Maria could understand the medical instructions, ask questions, and make informed decisions about her child’s care. This support not only alleviated her anxiety but also ensured her child received the best possible treatment.  

In another instance, a crime victim, whom we will call Ahmed, who did not speak the local language, faced significant barriers when seeking justice. Our interpreting services facilitated clear communication with law enforcement and legal professionals, ensuring that his voice was heard and that he received the support he needed. “Thanks to Tolk, we can now support crime victims in their own language, making the process less stressful and more effective,” shared a social worker. 

Citizens interacting with social services also benefit from our solutions. Language barriers can prevent individuals from accessing essential services, leading to social exclusion. Our platform enables social workers to communicate effectively with non-English speaking clients, ensuring they receive the services and support they need. This has led to more equitable access to government services and improved outcomes for individuals and families. 

We invite boroughs, councils, and any government entities to pilot our solutions and join us in this transformative journey. If you are interested in partnering with us, please reach out to explore how we can work together to meet your language service needs. 

 

Piloting Solutions in the UK 

We are excited to bring our expertise to the UK and to pilot our solutions with local users. Our initial focus will be on sectors where effective communication is critical, such as healthcare, education, public services, and legal services. We aim to replicate the success we have had in the private sector in the UK by providing flexible, reliable, and high-quality interpreting services that can be accessed quickly and easily. 

Our AI-powered platform is designed to meet the unique needs of the UK’s diverse population. It offers features such as instant access to interpreters, text translators, in-language messaging, and access to a wide range of language resources. These capabilities are not only innovative but also essential for ensuring that all residents, regardless of their linguistic background, can access the services they need. 

 

Impact and Future Vision 

The impact of our solutions has been profound. We have helped break down language barriers, enabling better access to services and improving the quality of life for many individuals. Our commitment to quality, flexibility, and innovation has been recognized through the numerous contracts we have secured and the positive feedback from our clients. 

Leyla Sarac, Co-Founder of Tolk, shares, “As we begin our journey in the UK, we are optimistic about the future. We believe that our solutions can make a significant difference in the UK, helping to create a more inclusive and connected city. Our goal is to work closely with local councils, boroughs, and other stakeholders to ensure that our services meet the specific needs of the community.”  

In conclusion, the launch of Tolk in the UK marks an exciting new chapter in our mission to bridge language gaps and foster better communication. We are deeply grateful for the support and validation we have received from London & Partners, our collaborators, and the GEP. Together, we can make a meaningful impact and help build a city where everyone, regardless of the language they speak, has access to the services and opportunities they need.  

Virpal Singh, CEO of Tolk, expresses, “We are immensely grateful to London & Partners for their unwavering support and validation. Their assistance has been crucial in our expansion into the UK market, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration to address London’s language challenges. We invite boroughs, councils, and any government entities to pilot our solutions and join us in this transformative journey. If you are interested in partnering with us, please reach out to explore how we can work together to meet your language service needs.” 

 To find out more or pilot with Tolk please reach out to jaskarn@tolk.co.uk