1. 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

2. 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)

3. (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

4. 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

5. (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

6. 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? …….

7. £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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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!

12. 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

13. 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

14. ‘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

15. 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!

16. 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

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

18. 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

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

20. 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

21. 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?”

22. 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

23. Questions?

24. 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

25. Contact learn to read Helping adults {Name of group} To find out more:
Read Easy {Chair}
{name/ /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.