Jay Blades, who learned to read later in life
Volunteers at a literacy charity in Wellingborough hope a television program highlighting their work will enable them to help more adults with their reading skills.
Workshop presenter Jay Blades takes part in a new BBC documentary that follows his journey as he takes on the challenge of learning to read as an adult with the charity Read Easy UK.
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Mr. Blades got help from Read Easy to learn to read
Mr. Blades got help from Read Easy to learn to readThey hope the coverage will break the stigma of not being able to read, as many are too embarrassed or embarrassed to come forward and ask for help.
Alison Percival, Read Easy Wellingborough team leader, said: “Not being able to read can affect people in many ways – reading food labels, warning signs, timetables, choosing a greeting card.
“One of our readers was very pleased that she could simply choose her own meal from a menu. Another passed her driving test. Others enjoy reading to grandchildren or helping their own children. Another was able to develop at work. Including the coach.
“Being a coach is enormously rewarding. There is a great sense of accomplishment and pride as a reader completes one manual and moves on to the next. Tuition is free, friendly, at the reader’s own pace, without peer pressure, for two people half an hour a week, usually in the Wellingborough or Rushden library, but we use other suitable venues as well.”
Jay Blades is best known for The Repair Shop
Jay Blades is best known for The Repair Shop
Read Easy Wellingborough was established more than three years ago and now has ten reading couples working in person or online to help people like Mr Blades.
Mr Blades hid his inability to read until he was in his 30s after struggling to learn to read as a child. A quarter of all children in England leave primary school unable to reach the expected level. Almost seven million adults in the UK are very poorly literate.
In the program Jay meets other people who are on the same journey with Read Easy UK which has 50 affiliated groups across the country with more than 1,100 volunteers.
Readers meet with volunteer coaches twice a week to follow Turning Pages – an adult reading program originally developed in prisons.
Ginny Williams-Ellis, Chief Executive Officer of Read Easy UK, said: “Research shows that 2.4 million adults in England are illiterate or barely literate. Not being able to read as an adult is excruciatingly embarrassing for most people. It usually follows years of painful humiliation at school when failure to learn to read in the early years has left them unable to participate in the rest of the curriculum as they get older.
“For the vast majority, this was neither their decision nor their fault and has nothing to do with their intelligence. There are many different reasons why a child does not learn to read in the early school years. For some, undiagnosed or unassisted dyslexia or unidentified vision or hearing problems can prevent them from learning. Others lack the necessary study support from parents or carers, or problems at home can make it difficult to concentrate at school.
“Phonics has not been taught in most schools since the 1960s, and consequently many children did not learn the crucial decoding skills needed to understand text. It is arguable that this had an impact on literacy levels in the UK in general, but it was a particular problem for those who were already facing other challenges. As difficult as it may be, no one should be embarrassed to admit that they didn’t acquire the necessary skills as a child.
“I would urge any adult who can’t read properly to have the courage to reach out and ask for help like Jay did. It really is never too late to learn.”
Ms Percival added: “It takes a lot of courage to admit you can’t read but please contact us if you need help. Encourage someone you know to ask us for help. Sometimes it can take several tries before someone picks up the phone and says they need help. We also welcome referrals from job centers and other agencies that help people find a job.
“Anyone who would like to volunteer or put us in touch with someone who can’t read can email us [email protected] or call 07759 815163 to speak to John the coordinator who will match the reader with the trainer. “
To find out more about learning to read as an adult with Read Easy, visit www.readeasy.org.uk
Jay Blades: Learning to Read at 51 airs Wednesday 26 January at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.