A Bath literacy group is celebrating after helping two adults complete their reading journey, while also receiving a £2,500 donation to support its work.
Presenting the cheque to Read Easy Bath
Read Easy Bath recently marked the achievements of two new readers, Roger and Gary, and was also boosted by a generous contribution from the Sperring Charity, which is based in Midsomer Norton.
The group is a voluntary organisation affiliated to Read Easy UK and provides free, confidential, one-to-one reading coaching for adults who are unable to read or who have limited reading ability.
Caroline Cronin, team leader at Read Easy Bath, said: “Read Easy Bath is a voluntary group affiliated to Read Easy UK.
“We offer free, confidential, one-to-one coaching with trained volunteer coaches for adults who, for any number of reasons, can’t read or have limited reading ability.
“We passionately believe that reading changes lives and in the National Year of Reading, there’s never been a better time to learn or improve!”
Roger, 58, said he never properly learned to read at school and did not feel confident enough to ask for help.
After completing the five stages of the Read Easy programme with support from his coach, he is now enjoying the benefits of reading for himself.
He said: “I’ve loved learning to read. I now know how to sound out words and am buying myself books and going to the library.”
Roger’s coach, Steph Perrett, described him as a “model pupil”. He now enjoys doing wordsearch puzzles and hopes to sign up for an IT course.
Also completing the programme is Gary, 29, who found it difficult to concentrate at school because of a learning difficulty.
He later developed cooking and counter skills with the Swallow charity at its café in The Hive in Peasedown St John, but realised his inability to read was preventing him from moving forward.
Speaking about the experience, Gary said: “I was nervous at the start, but my coach was so friendly and kind, I soon got going!”
His coach, Debbie Wilkes, said: “I’m so proud of Gary’s achievements, motivation and focus. Watching him learn and grow has been the most amazing thing – we have changed the course of his future.”
Read Easy Bath has also been given a welcome financial boost after receiving a £2,500 donation from the Sperring Charity.
George Persson, a trustee of the charity, said: “We were impressed by the Read Easy Bath’s passion for the work it does in the area and wanted to provide support.”
Reflecting on his progress, Roger added: “I feel like a reader now. I’m much more confident. I say to myself ‘I can do it!’”
Anyone who knows somebody who would like to learn to read can contact Sarah at [email protected] or Alison at [email protected], or call 07593 187293.
People interested in volunteering as a coach can contact Juliet at [email protected]
Read Easy Bath is also looking for a venue for coaching for two sessions a week, particularly in Peasedown or Radstock. Anyone able to help is asked to contact Alison at [email protected] or call 07593 187293.
