Can you help Read Easy Bristol support people in South Bristol who want help with their reading?

We are looking for people who care about adults who struggle to read, who can see the importance of this in enabling them to improve their quality of life, who are good listeners, are empathic, reliable, who have a non-judgemental approach, and can volunteer with us for at least a year.

Read Easy Coaches give one to one coaching to adults who want help with their reading (‘readers’). They see them for half an hour twice a week, and work through a phonics-based reading programme (‘Turning Pages’ https://www.shannontrust.org.uk/turning-pages).

From https://readeasy.org.uk/about-us/why-we-exist/:

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 and 16.4% of adults in England, or 7.1 million people, can be described as having 'very poor literacy skills.' *  

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.

There are lots of reasons that someone may need support to improve their reading skills including: 

• A learning difference such as dyslexia, autism or ADHD
• Their need for extra support not being recognised or fulfilled at school 
• Relearning after a brain injury 

 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 

Many adults are reluctant to admit to their literacy difficulties and ask for help. One of the most important aspects of supporting adults with low literacy levels is to increase their self-esteem and persuade them of the benefits of improving their reading and writing.

*(Skills for Life Survey, 2011, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills – latest government figures)