Be it a book, the newspaper, the local match report on Saturday or even following signs at an appointment, many of us take reading for granted. But without the ability to read, everything in life is so much more difficult. It does not just affect your ability to enjoy a good book. It can affect employment opportunities, health and mental wellbeing.
One such example has been highlighted over the period of the recent pandemic. Many parents and guardians have found home-schooling a challenge, but imagine adding not being able to read to this. Adults who cannot read really struggle to support their children’s learning, which can lead to feelings of guilt and embarrassment.
Read Easy can help anyone in this position.
Karen Wood has recently taken up a new post as Read Easy North West Regional Adviser.
“There was support for a Read Easy Group in Oldham earlier this year but, as with everything, Covid – 19 meant the plan was put on hold.
We are looking for your support to help us get the ball rolling on a brand new Read Easy Group for Oldham. We know that over 135,000 adults in Oldham struggle with everyday reading, that is over 8% of the population of the town who struggle with everyday tasks as well as the other problems that this causes. We’re passionate about changing this.
We’re currently looking for local people who could support the development of a new group by volunteering as Pioneers. Pioneers will make connections to local groups and agencies to help identify readers and spread the word, so that other people in the community become interested in supporting the new group. We have great interest in supporting our work from the people of Oldham but desperately need a Pioneer to help get this group off the ground. The interest is there we just need your help.”
Read Easy UK currently supports 35 affiliated groups across the country and we are now working to expand our network of groups into the North West.
“The reality is that 2.4m adults in the England alone can barely read or cannot read at all.” Karen Wood underlines, “Unfortunately, due to Government cuts, there are fewer adult reading classes than there have ever been, and even where they do exist, many adults have bad memories of school, and are scared of going back into a classroom – especially those with very little or no reading ability. At Read Easy we offer a free and confidential service where each Reader can work at their own pace with one dedicated Volunteer Coach.
The life-impact of learning to read is tangible and genuinely life-changing for both volunteers and readers. The phrase we hear from our Readers time-and-time again is ‘life-changing’. But for our Volunteers too the process of helping adults learn to read has a profound effect on their lives. If you’re based in Oldham and would like to play a key part in helping to transform the lives of adults near you, while developing existing skills and learning new ones in a supportive, fun environment, then why not get in touch!”
To learn more about becoming a Read Easy Pioneer in Oldham please contact Karen Wood, Regional Adviser Read Easy North West – karen@readeasy.org.uk.