I reached out to Read Easy in 2017 to ask about how I could support their work after reading that 2.4 million adults in the UK struggle with basic literacy skills.

I had seen evidence of this in my own community in East Oxford and realised that the inability to read and write stops so many people from managing life in the day-to-day, let alone achieving their full potential.

I joined the team as a member of the management committee – the volunteers who work together to run local Read Easy groups. Being a volunteer over the past three and a half years has been a fantastic experience. Our group is blessed to have such a wonderful, committed team, and we all bring unique skills and talents to the table to support our readers and coaches in our community.  It’s been an incredible learning experience and I’ve developed my own leadership skills through volunteering.

What’s more, I have had the privilege of watching our readers develop the reading skills and the confidence to genuinely transform their lives and their circumstances. I cannot think of anything better.

I would encourage anyone who is considering volunteering with Read Easy to do so.  Contact your local group and see how you can help.