Helping adults learn to read Advanced prep: Edit/add local detail/updates to slides – see notes. Save a copy of your localised version. Check the notes Time your presentation Hide slides if less relevant to audience/to save time. If you don’t know how to hide slides, just delete them. Save a copy of the original and your edited version. Slides you could easily leave out indicated with Check that you have all resources Points to make Welcome/thanks Explain why you have come – e.g. to explore how Read Easy can support the organisation in it’s work/to discuss opportunities for joint work etc – this is important, they will be thinking “Why are we here?” Check whether introductions are needed – audience may not all know one another Helping adults learn to read

Read Easy UK is a registered charity, established in 2010 to help adults learn to read currently has 21 affiliated groups offering 1:1 reading support from trained volunteer coaches 5 more groups are at “Pioneer” stage provides the structure, resources, training and on-going support for each local group. Advanced prep: Check figs are up to date Add slide about achievements of local group (optional)

(Skills for Life Survey, 2011) 5 million adults in England and Wales have reading or writing skills below that expected of the average 11 year old (Skills for Life Survey, 2011) “References to reading ages: Ensure the audience is aware these are quotes from Government surveys and used only to give a broad understanding of adult literacy levels in the UK. Reading ages are not used to describe the reading skills of individual adults.  See ‘Guide to Read Easy Networking PowerPoints’ for further information.” Advanced prep optional Add slide with local figures

What do we mean by low reading skills? The Good Food Show BIRMINGHAM NEC 22nd-29TH November 2017 Tickets: £35, £40, £50 Points to make: An average 7 year old can read this poster But some adults have great difficulty with any reading Some can’t read any of this poster Some can’t identify that the show is in Birmingham. Read Easy “readers” start at this level or below Some people who could not read this may be able to cope with simple signs and adverts which have illustrations essential skills professional development and resource centre

(Skills for Life Survey, 2011) 1 in 5 adults would not be able to use the index to find a plumber in the Yellow Pages (Skills for Life Survey, 2011) If time is an issue

Poor reading skills are associated with poverty homelessness crime low self-esteem low confidence isolation and depression poor physical and mental health Adults who struggle to read Are 5 times more likely to be unemployed and 4 times more likely to experience long-term unemployment Develop coping strategies, but are unlikely to reach their potential Struggle to help their children with learning Are less likely to vote, or take part in public and community life Points to make: Personal, economic and social implications of not being able to read Focus on particular concerns of audience and invite comment Some of the factors on the slide actually compound the problem – if you are homeless, when and where can you find time to read? If you have poor health and self confidence, how will you manage to attend classes? …….

£10 billion a year is lost to the economy because employees have difficulty with literacy and numeracy skills and If time is an issue. But interesting to employers, Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, funders

Literacy problems cost the public purse anything up to £64,000 per individual over a lifetime (KPMG report, 2009) If time is an issue. But interesting to employers, Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, funders

So, why do adults have reading problems? If time is an issue, but most people are curious. Teachers and Heads tend to know! Ask before you tell! This will involve the audience and respect their prior knowledge. Avoid becoming involved in discussions of poor teaching – can be contentious and alienate some of the audience

Why adults have reading problems Absence from school Disrupted education, e.g. moving home frequently or sickness Family problems Being a young carer Undiagnosed visual/hearing impairment or learning difficulty Dyslexia Intergenerational effect. I If you cut previous slide! Points to make: Adults with reading problems do not necessarily have a learning difficulty, though their self esteem may be low Many have developed coping strategies or rely on families to help them get by. Avoid becoming involved in discussions of poor teaching – can be contentious and alienate some of the audience

What is Read Easy doing about this? Your local group is run with support from Read Easy UK: Confidential, 1-1 tuition Trained reading coaches Half hour sessions twice a week Approved local venues Friendly, flexible and free Points to make: Read Easy works one to one with “Readers” who come with very low reading skills Attendance is entirely voluntary – we don’t accept any “compulsory” referrals Trained volunteer coaches help readers develop their skills to a point where they can “Move Ahead” and start writing, many then go on to an adult learning class Readers aim to complete when they are at the point at which most will be able manage day to day activities and cope in an adult education or college class. We don’t require or seek payment for working with individual readers, but unlinked donations are welcome!

People can learn to read in 5 months to 2 years Phonics based programme with additional learning activities Readers work at their own pace Adults complete with reading skills that enable them to progress at work and with life Readers receive a certificate of achievement Many move on to further learning Points to make: Some with learning disabilities may not complete YWCR but receive a certificate of achievement and many go on to further learning and community activities

Read Easy also provides a six month literacy programme called Moving Ahead Points to cover One to one support to further reading skills and introduce writing, spelling and grammar Specialist coaches design an individual learning plan with the reader Based on reading and writing tasks the reader needs for their life and work

‘Readers’ and coaches meet: At approved local venues including: Community centres Church halls Office spaces If time is an issue Advanced prep - optional Change photos – use local venues

Readers are referred by local partner agencies JobCentre Plus Adult Learning and training providers Social Services and Probation Community workers Libraries CAB Health professionals Children’s Centres Friends and family …or can simply refer themselves If time is an issue. But establishes credibility. Advanced prep – optional: Edit to reflect local situation Points to make RE relies on local agencies spreading the word to reach new readers We welcome referrals that are linked to a supported negotiated individual action plan made between advice agency staff and their clients Attendance is entirely voluntary – we don’t accept any “compulsory” referrals e.g. linked to benefit entitlements We don’t require or seek payment for working with individual readers, but unlinked donations are welcome!

Why Read Easy is needed Very isolating – people usually hide their problems and won’t join a class Few classes can provide 1:1 support and classes have been cut because of funding Read Easy helps adults read sufficiently well to cope with everyday tasks and to feel confident to progress to further learning. No criticism of adult education and other training providers – can alienate audience

Many dyslexic learners have learnt to read with Read Easy…. If time is an issue

Readers say Read Easy makes a huge difference … ‘I feel less of a mouse and more of a giant!’ Ria ‘There’s an ecstatic excitement about it. The knowledge is very powerful.’ Tony ‘Once you’ve done the reading, you want to move on to writing, just like you learn to crawl, then walk, then run’ Jenny ‘Have the courage and go forth!’ Bernard If time you could either: Show a RE video from the website Read a reader letter or story

Read Easy works successfully with people with learning disabilities You may delete slide if less relevant to audience

Read Easy Life Impact Wheel Points to make Read Easy has found that learning to read has an impact on the health, social, emotional and economic lives of our readers Focus on aspects most relevant to audience

But it can be a hidden problem and people are often reluctant to seek help Isolation: “No-one else has this problem; I can’t let anyone else know.” “I’ll never learn…/ I can get by…” Stereotyping and discrimination – labelled by others as “thick” No access to transport or costs of travel to classes Concern about job security: “What if the boss finds out?”

You could make all the difference! Spread the word! People are nervous of seeking help, and they certainly won’t read publicity about Read Easy. Help people to realise they are not alone and can learn to read. Readers need support to find us! Got access to some premises? Offer a safe place for Readers to meet their Read Easy coach Got some time? Become a coach or join our management committee Into fundraising? Hold an event to raise money for your local group…. Have fun and get fit with sponsored sports, or bake and sell cake at a coffee morning or in your book-club Access to cash? Make a donation. Just £120 covers the cost of teaching one adult to read. Advanced prep: Edit/add local detail/updates to slides Focus on what you want from the particular audience

Questions?

What next? Advanced prep: Add to this slide to offer what you can do next next. E.g. Follow up visit by Read Easy to take forward any joint plans/work RE briefing on making sensitive referrals. (Presentation pack available) Read Easy events

Contact learn to read Helping adults {Name of group} To find out more: Read Easy {Chair} {name/email/phone number} To refer a reader: Read Easy Coordinator National readeasy.org.uk Further details are on the Read Easy publicity circulated today Helping adults learn to read Advanced prep: Add local contact details Take local publicity material for audience, their clients and to display.