A DYSLEXIC woman has overcome her struggles and now represents the charity that helped her learn to read.
Paula Randall started the Turning Pages course with Read Easy Basingstoke in 2022 and completed it in July last year.
Now, she represents Read Easy as an ambassador and is keen to help others to benefit in the same way she has.
She said: "I am dyslexic. I had no confidence in myself, but after doing the Read Easy course, it has given it back, and I have confidence.
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"I feel honoured to be the ambassador for Basingstoke Read Easy. It’s the least I can do to help the charity, as they have helped me so much.
"It's is my way to say thank you to Basingstoke Read Easy for all the help and support and time."
She explained how the course has helped her gain confidence in herself and how she now wants to use her new role to help others achieve the freedom that comes with the ability to read.
She said: "My everyday life is so much better now. I am more confident in myself—I feel like I’ve got me back.
"I’m no longer embarrassed to ask for help when I need it.
"Yes, I still have days when I find it hard, but I can ask for help without shame."
Paula believes that sharing her story with others will help them overcome fears and embarrassment.
She added: "I’m so happy that I can go out and share my story, talk about being dyslexic, and hopefully inspire others.
"I’m proud of where I am now, and it’s all thanks to Read Easy."
The course is free to join, and one-to-one sessions are available.
Paula noted that Read Easy Basingstoke is also looking for volunteers, and readers who wish to help should get in touch by visiting readeasy.org.uk/groups/basingstoke
A spokesperson for Read Easy Basingstoke said: "Since completing the Read Easy reading programme Paula, has a passionate determination to let everyone know what Read Easy does, so others can have the opportunity to learn to read and gain a confidence in living life fully.
"Paula is showing that there is no shame in not learning to read when younger, everyone has their different struggles, and it is never too late to make a change.
"Paula has talked about finding workplace learning like Health & Safety COSHH training really tricky in the past and learning functional reading has made is accessible and taken away the stress and judgement that is attached to reading at work.
"In the past, Paula always relied on family members to read letters for her, but now, she has renewed independence and confidence.
"So much so that she is spearheading an awareness campaign, writing emails, carrying out independent research online and carries herself with such confidence in herself that she is an inspiration to all, especially those who know that committing to a personal challenge and overcoming barriers will improve their life and open doors.
"As we are a volunteer-led organisation, people like Paula can only learn to read for free and one-on-one, through to the goodwill and passion of volunteers, it takes a whole team to support the efforts of Reading Coaches and Readers and Read Easy are always looking for people who can spare a few hours a week to support the team, by using their talents and skills or even using the organisation to develop new skills themselves."
An estimated 6,300 people struggle to read in Basingstoke and Deane while one in 14 adults in England can barely read or cannot read at all.
Read Easy has successfully coached 305 adults in the South in the last year.
Read Easy UK works to support adults to learn to read, with volunteer coaches working one-to-one with the reader, using age appropriate reading material.
Adults unable to read can struggle with day-to-day life such as food shopping, using cash points, reading bus timetables or understanding health warnings.
Other challenges include going to the doctor, talking to teachers, filling in forms or engaging with the benefits system.
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