When language becomes a barrier: how intercultural mediators make healthcare more accessible

A conversation with a doctor, nurse or social worker may seem straightforward. However, when language or cultural differences come into play, clear communication can become more difficult. This is where Foyer’s intercultural mediators make a real difference: by building bridges between people and healthcare and social services.

Foyer’s Intercultural Mediation Service in Healthcare and Social Support works with healthcare professionals, social organisations and families by providing language assistance and cultural interpretation. Through this support, mediators help conversations run more smoothly and ensure that everyone can understand important information and access the support they need.

In 2025, Foyer’s intercultural mediators received 2,545 requests from organisations across the Brussels-Capital Region. Requests came mainly from healthcare services, education partners and social organisations. Working in different languages, mediators do more than translate words: they also help bridge cultural differences that may influence communication and understanding.

An important part of their work focuses on prevention and access to health information. Mediators contribute to initiatives around vaccination, diabetes prevention and making health information more accessible for people with a migration background. In 2025, Foyer organised several activities around HPV vaccination, giving parents the opportunity to receive information and ask questions in their own language.

Some topics require particular attention and sensitivity. Through its project on discussing end-of-life care with people from migrant backgrounds, Foyer brought together healthcare professionals, intercultural mediators and people with lived experience to encourage dialogue around a subject that can still be difficult to discuss.

Intercultural mediators are also present close to families and communities. Two mediators are active every week at the Mommaertsstraat consultation centre, an Anchor Point of Brussels’ House of the Child network. There, they support parents and help make questions around health, parenting and well-being easier to discuss.

By recognising language and culture as essential parts of communication, Foyer helps build a healthcare system where everyone can be heard and understood.

This article is part of our series about Foyer’s 2025 Activity Report. Through this series, we highlight several projects and themes that shaped our work over the past year.