Read Easy UK is a national charity that helps adults learn to read. Read Easy works by matching trained volunteer reading coaches 1:1 with non- or beginner readers and has established a successful track record because of its flexible, fun and free approach!  

Would you like to help adults learn to read in Kirklees and Calderdale?

We are looking for support to help us get the ball rolling on a brand new Read Easy group in our area. We know that 28,000 adults in Kirklees and Calderdale can’t read or struggle with everyday reading, and we’re passionate about changing that with our proven, confidential programme of free, one-to-one, volunteer-led adult reading coaching.  

We’re currently looking for local people who could support the development of a new group by volunteering as Management Team members. Becoming a Management Team volunteer for Read Easy is fun and fulfilling but requires commitment and passion. You’ll be given lots of support and full training, meet a diverse range of people, and be part of a genuinely life-changing organisation. From experience, we know that learning to read really does changes lives and being part of that process is special.

Becoming team member is an exciting chance to play a key role in bringing our community together, and to make a difference. Whether you’ve got existing skills you’d like to put to good use, or are looking to develop new ones, being a volunteer with Read Easy can be a great chance to learn something new.

The stark reality is that 2.4m adults in the UK cannot read, while 2.5m struggle to read. On a practical level, this means that even carrying out everyday tasks can be challenging, if not impossible. Being unable to read and write is associated with higher mortality, depression, isolation and mental health issues.

By helping people to tackle their reading difficulties, Read Easy also enables them to become more independent, move on to other forms of education if they wish, improve their employment opportunities, support their children’s or grandchildren’s reading and begin to explore many other opportunities in life as well. Above all, our Readers experience remarkable improvements in their confidence and self-esteem. Many adults who have failed to learn to read as children will have suffered all their lives, not only from a sense of humiliation and a crippling sense of inadequacy, but also from an overwhelming fear that they will fail if they try again. This is why our confidential, one-to-one approach is so important – and why we need your help!

In order for our group to be effective, we need volunteers to be committed and enjoy using their own initiative. Ideally, they will also be confident, as well as passionate about helping others and bringing their community together. Successful team members will have several hours to spare each week, (for some roles, some of this time may need to be within the working week, in order to network with other organisations).

The impact of learning to read is tangible for both Volunteers and Readers. The phrase we hear from our readers time-and-time again is ‘life-changing’. But for our volunteers too, the process of helping adults learn to read has a profound effect on their lives. If you’d like to play a key part in helping to transform the lives of adults near you, while developing existing skills and learning new ones in a supportive, fun environment, then why not get in touch?

To learn more about becoming a Read Easy Management Team volunteer in Kirklees and Calderdale, please email Michelle; kcpioneer@readeasy.org.uk