As the World Cup kicks off and fans across England dare to dream about it coming home, Read Easy UK, a charity which provides free, confidential, one-to-onecoaching for adults who want to learn to read, is launching a campaign to highlight the connection between struggling with reading and being part of the beautiful game.

The most recent Government data shows that 2.4 million working age adults cannot read or struggle with reading. While adults struggling with reading may understand the offside rule better than their mates, it can make it harder to participate in sports clubs and social events.

Carla Priddon, Chief Executive of Read Easy UK, said: “Struggling with reading isn’t about reading books. When it comes to getting together to watch a game, it can mean that you may find it hard to keep up with the text or WhatsApp messages, to read a food or drinks menu at the club or bar or even to take part in your unofficial workplace sweepstakes. And we all know that getting a parking space at a busy venue can be tough, but it’s even more challenging if you can’t read the parking machine’s instructions or even worse, make sense of a parking app.

“Part of the fun of the World Cup is coming together with other fans to watch the games, particularly when England is playing. Difficulties with reading can create a barrier to being part of that fan experience.

“We know that love of sport can be a powerful motivator to take the step to learn or improve your reading. As this is the National Year of Reading, we want to educate fans about those adults who may be missing out on everything the World Cup offers and give them the tools to make them feel part of the team.”

Read Easy UK has created posters and cards highlighting some of the signs that a friend or colleague may struggle with reading and how to help them ‘read the game, together’ and encourage them to contact their local Read Easy Group for free, confidential, one to one coaching to help them learn or improve their reading.

Read Easy’s 80 Groups across England will be able to share these posters and cards with their local venues and organisations during the World Cup. There will also be social media activity targeting World Cup fans during the tournament.

To request a copy of the ‘Read the Game, Together’ poster for your venue, sports club or workplace, contact your nearest Read Easy Group or complete our online form.