Read Easy Derby & District is extending its reading support programme for adults into Alfreton and is looking for volunteers to help with the expansion.

The charity has written the following for us to share with you:

7.1 million adults in England are functionally illiterate, according to the National Literacy Trust. This means that understanding prescriptions, forms, food labels, letters from the bank – to name a few examples – is a huge challenge and incredibly stressful.

Would you like to join us as a volunteer reading coach and change lives in your community?

Read Easy Derby & District is a registered charity (1202775) set up in Autumn 2021*. We have grown rapidly over the last two years. Our volunteer reading coaches are now providing free, 1-2-1 reading coaching to 35 adults living in Derbyshire.

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Due to our continued success, we’re now expanding into Alfreton and Ironville.

We’re looking for committed individuals who have some time to spare and would like to make a huge difference to lives in these communities. Many of our coaches say that volunteering with us is the best decision they ever made!

Our readers say that learning to read has enabled them to take a driving theory test, progress at work, help their children with homework, and share stories with their grandchildren. It really is incredibly rewarding to be involved with Read Easy Derby & District.

So how does it work?

Following free training, reading coaches are paired with a reader. Reader and coach then meet twice a week for 2 x 30 min coaching sessions. Coaching takes place in pre-approved public venues within sight and sound of staff, yet discrete enough for a reader not to feel under scrutiny. Travel expenses are covered under our expenses policy.

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We use reading materials published by the Shannon Trust. All training and materials are provided free of charge. Coaches are supported through regular meetings with their coordinator and other coaches, and by visits from their coordinator.

If you’d like to get involved, then please contact us for further information and an application form. Please email: derbyleader@readeasy.org.uk.

*Read Easy Derby & District is affiliated with registered charity, Read Easy UK 1151288

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