A CHARITY which aims to help people in Basingstoke who struggle with reading has shared an insight into its work and the difference it makes.

Read Easy Basingstoke is affiliated to Read Easy UK, a national charity which aims to aid the 2.4m adults across the country who can barely read or cannot read at all.

Read Easy Basingstoke started in 2019 and has since grown to encompass a team of 60 registered coaches.

Team leader Jane Ford said: “When the last Skills for Life survey was done in 2011, there were over 7,000 adults in Basingstoke unable to read. When you consider the way the town has grown, along with the fact that adult literacy in the UK has gotten worse rather than better in the time since, that number must now be considerably higher.”

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She continued: “Poor reading skills can lead to poverty, homelessness, low self-esteem, mental health issues and isolation. “People who can’t read are five times more likely to be unemployed and four times more likely to experience long-term unemployment. It prevents people from reaching their potential in life.”

Paul Anderson, 48 from Tadley, is a member of the Read Easy community who has completed the charity’s initial Turning Pages scheme.

Paul said: “I couldn’t read beforehand, and decided I wanted to better myself.

“I started on the Turning Pages scheme, where you learn all the basic techniques, sounds and pronunciation. It’s made up of four levels, which I completed before moving on to the next stage – ironically the scheme is called Moving On!”

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Paul continued: “There was no anxiousness in getting involved. The coordinators and coaches are lovely, and the scheme is personalised based on each reader’s needs. It worked for me and has enriched my life. It’s made everything easier and improved the quality of my life massively. Anyone who wants to do it should do it. The only thing stopping someone is their pride.

“I’d like to thank the people at Read Easy for all their help and support, and particularly my coach Chris, who has been fantastic. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Face-to-face coaching sessions take place in a public place, which will be agreed in advance. The coaching sessions are friendly, one-to-one, and achieved at each individual reader's own pace.

Remote coaching sessions are also available and Read Easy can also loan a reader a tablet if needed. All sessions are free of charge.

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“When an adult comes forward for help, they will initially meet one of our coordinators who they can talk to about their level of ability, their aim from joining and when and where would be convenient for them,” said Jane.

“Readers are then matched to their own dedicated coach who will meet them for coaching sessions either once or twice a week, for half an hour or an hour each time.”

Jane added: “Reaching adults who can’t read is the hardest part of what we do which is why raising awareness is so important – we had a lovely weekend at Milestones Christmas Fayre and plan to join in with Festival Place’s World Book Day event at the beginning of March.”

To find out more visit readeasy.org.uk/groups/basingstoke.