First Minister Nicola Sturgeon unveiled a new mobile app produced by Happy to Translate, a Scottish initiative which helps organisations communicate with customers who face a language barrier.

The innovative mobile app helps to identify a customer’s language and takes them through a series of simple steps and phrases in languages from the across the world. The app also has the option to connect the organisation to their preferred interpretation supplier, providing a seamless communication and service delivery to customers whose first language is not English.

The mobile app, developed with funding from the National Lottery and Lintel Trust, is available to use by members of Happy to Translate, which is managed by Trust Housing Association.

“Happy to Translate has always been dynamic in its response to the needs of its members”, said Rhona McLeod, Chief Executive of Trust Housing Association. “This latest move towards the use of technology was the obvious next step in the growth of the initiative and the mobile app will prove to be a successful addition to the existing portfolio of Happy to Translate tools.”

Ms Sturgeon, said: “This is a new and innovative approach from Happy to Translate. I’m delighted to launch it and I look forward to hearing how the mobile app is helping service providers meet the needs of people who face a language barrier.”