We offer free, one-to-one, confidential coaching for anyone over the age of 18 who wants to learn to read. We aim to help any adult who wants to learn to read, by offering free, confidential, 1-1 coaching in approved venues in the community, delivered by our trained, volunteer Reading Coaches.
Most people take between 9 months and 2 years to complete our phonics-based reading scheme, which is delivered for just half an hour, twice a week, with Readers meeting their Coaches not in a classroom setting, but in an approved Venue on a 1-1 basis. Learning to read is truly life-changing...some of our Readers cannot even recognise their letters when they join us (Entry Level 2 and below), but when they graduate at Entry Level 3, they will be able to achieve the next steps they wish for (for instance reading to their children or grandchildren, or accessing further education) feeling more confident and empowered to live a fulfilled, independent life. Our oldest Reader was 88 when she learnt to read - it's never too late!
Reading is a basic requirement of everyday life, and for many of us it is a skill we take for granted. Yet there are 2.4 million adults in England alone who can barely read or cannot read at all (Skills for Life Survey, 2011, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills – latest government figures)...over 36,600 adults in the Tees Valley area.
Being unable to read impacts daily life in so many ways. In some areas of the UK, up to 10% of working age adults would struggle to or not be able to:
- Write a short note to their family
- Fill in a form – for a job, a service or support
- Understand important communications such as letters, emails and household bills
- Access essential information on topics like food allergens, healthcare and safety
- Read a story to their children
- Complete simple tasks like using a cash point, doing the food shopping or reading travel information
Learning to read as an adult can be life-changing. The benefits can extend beyond the individual and enable families to break the inter-generational cycle of literacy difficulties.
If you care about others and would like to help make a life-changing difference to people in your community, we would love to hear from you! Some of our volunteers do have a background in education, but that is not essential - we take volunteers over the age of 18, from all walks of life! Initially, we look for a 'Pioneer' to help find the people to set up a group in your local area. Bring your energy and enthusiasm, your ability to inspire and engage others, your networking and communication skills and help us to set up a group in the Tees Valley, to help people who want to learn to read! Working with the support of your Regional Adviser, you would network with other organisations to establish interest and support, publicise the project, and create a community of other like-minded volunteers to form a team... offering life-changing opportunities to local people.
As a Pioneer, you will help us find the people to form a Management Team for your group...we need people with all sorts of different skills! Our roles include: Literacy Specialists, Reading Coaches, Coordinators (to support Readers and their Coaches), Administrators, Fundraiser, Treasurer, Team Leader, IT Supporter, Data Protection Champion, Safeguarding Champion, Publicity Organiser, Referrals Networker, Volunteer Recruiter, Venues Organiser and Local Connector
Can you imagine what life would be like if you were unable to read? We take it for granted, but it affects every area of our life - from employment opportunities and our life chances, to relationships and our physical and mental health. It can be incredibly different to seek help with reading as an adult, and many people can feel ashamed of their difficulties - but no-one should feel ashamed that they didn't get the help that they needed as a child. Read Easy’s gentle one-to-one approach allows people to learn in privacy, at their own pace, and with the understanding support of their own dedicated reading coach.
Our Opportunities
Help people to learn to read! Initial work for a Pioneer would involve gathering together a group of like-minded volunteers to form a Management Team, networking with supporting organisations and referral agencies, with guidance and support from REUK