A pioneering new service to help adults who struggle to read and write is being launched in Swindon.
The charity Read Easy North and West Wiltshire is offering what it describes as a unique free one-to-one learning experience, which will complement existing provision.
The all-volunteer group, which has been running for 11 years, currently helps adults in Bradford-on-Avon, Calne, Chippenham, Corsham, Devizes, Melksham and Trowbridge.
It hopes to start coaching its first readers in Swindon, and has already recruited a core group of key volunteers.
The expansion comes during the National Year of Reading - a Government-backed campaign to highlight the importance of books and literacy.
The charity is working with Swindon Borough Council, parish council-run libraries, the National Literacy Trust and other local organisations to launch the new service.
Readers will be coached by trained volunteers at libraries and other public venues in the town, with a one-to-one programme tailored to each individual.
Charity team leader Suze Cox said: “We’re so pleased to finally be able to announce this new service for Swindon. There is a huge need, and we look forward to being able to start meeting it.
“People find reading difficult for a wide variety of reasons and everyone comes to us with different needs.
"But what they have in common is that they feel unable to play a full part in their community and society, or to take full control of their lives. Our aim is to build their confidence to do all of that.”
The transformative nature of Read Easy’s work is underlined by one of its readers in West Wiltshire.
Amy, who is in her 20s, said: “Read Easy has been amazing. It’s helped me feel so much more confident.”
The last 2021 Census revealed that there were eight council wards in Swindon with above-average rates of over-16s lacking any educational qualification.
Skills for Life research in 2011 identified that one in 13 of the town’s adults had low literacy skills. Nationally, it is estimated that 2.4 million adults struggle with their reading.
Read Easy is looking for volunteer reading coaches to deliver the service in Swindon. Its reading coaches come from a range of backgrounds - not just education - and are kind, patient, and empathetic.
They commit to helping the reader they are matched with twice a week for 30 minutes with support from a reading coordinator and literacy specialist.
Anyone interested should email Julee the volunteer recruiter in Swindon on [email protected]
Anyone wanting help with their reading can call 07776 752 373.
Those who know someone who may want Read Easy’s help are asked to email Karen at [email protected]
To find out more about the charity, which is part of a trusted national network, people can visit https://readeasy.org.uk/groups/northwestwiltshire/
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