Volunteer to help people learn to read

Volunteer to help people learn to read

Around 8,500 adults in Telford and Wrekin struggle to read or can’t read at all. Local volunteer group Read Easy Telford and Wrekin is using International Literacy Day today (8 September) to highlight how this issue is affecting people – and how people who need it can get help.

When an adult can’t read, everyday life is difficult – simple tasks like reading letters and emails, filling in forms and reading signs and labels are out of reach.

Beyond the practical impact, it affects their wellbeing, confidence and independence.
Giving people the reading skills and confidence they need to live life to their full and reach their potential is needed more than ever.

With the cost of living a huge concern for many, for people who can’t read the situation is even harder. They can’t read the changes to their bills and what it means for them, read any information that support that may be available to them or read the vast tips available online about cost saving.

The group provides free, confidential, one-to-one reading coaching to adults who want to learn to read. Eight adults are currently completing their reading journey.

To continue reaching and supporting adults in the area, Read Easy Telford and Wrekin needs more volunteers to help run the group. There are lots of interesting ways that anyone with some spare time and basic IT skills can help.

Go to https://readeasy.org.uk/groups/telford-wrekin/ to contact them.

If you know an adult who wants to learn to read, they can join the group’s waiting list to receive support as soon as more volunteers are recruited.