Teach adults to read
Can you imagine not being able to read this headline?
As the announcement has been made by the Education Secretary that 2026 is to be The Year of Reading, are you aware that a group of volunteers are already tackling the problem in Burnley?
With 9%of the adult population of Burnley being unable to read in a way that impacts their daily life, it is definitely a problem that needs addressing.
Being unable to read can impact self-confidence and wellbeing, and limit the ability to access training and employment, as well as participate fully in society.
How often does the fact that more and more public services are going online frustrate you when you just want to talk to someone to resolve an issue? And a simple pub lunch means downloading an app to order a sandwich and a pint – not everyone can or wants to face this.
Major bug bears many, but imagine how isolating and dangerous our increasingly online world is if you cannot read.
Read Easy offers a solution – they train volunteers to provide personalised, one-to-one reading sessions that are free and confidential to teach adults to read.
Read Easy East Lancashire has now trialled its support in the Burnley area and is ready to take on new Readers, but we urgently need more volunteers to meet the needs.
Can you volunteer to be part of the team to help run the scheme and to spread the word that the service will make a difference to those struggling to read.
We know our support can help adults in your community.
- An adult we have worked with told us ‘Usually when I receive a text message from the GP my husband reads it – this time I tried to do it myself and was able to respond to their request to make an appointment. I never dreamed I would be able to achieve this’.
- Another said, ‘Thank you for giving me the chance to face my fears, learn and grow’.
It is not only those learning to read who have shared the benefits with us – a volunteer shared, ‘improving a Reader’s life also improves your own life with that great feeling of having done something so meaningful. To anyone thinking about volunteering for Read Easy, I’d say don’t hesitate. You can’t really beat helping someone to achieve their goals. It’s a real feel-good situation for both parties.
To find out how you can make a difference in your community please contact Karen Wood – [email protected] or visit Volunteer with us - ReadEasy