Helping your staff 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 provides the structure, resources, training and on-going support for each local group. Advanced prep: Check figs are up to date

(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)

5 million adults in England and Wales have reading or writing skills below that expected of the average 11 year old “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.”

£10 billion a year is lost to the economy because employees have difficulty with literacy and numeracy skills and

Literacy problems cost the public purse anything up to £64,000 per individual over a lifetime (KPMG report, 2009)

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 At an average cost of only £120 per reader, at no charge to them or their employer Phonics based programme with additional learning activities 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: Own pace 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

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.

The Top 10 Reading Skills Needed At Work Understand Health and Safety information Read instructions Read forms Read directions Find and read information Read reports Read timetables, maps, charts, other graphical information Read staff information on posters Read technical information Use reference skills to find and sort information Points to make; Ask What is needed in your workplace? Do any of your staff struggle? – What is the impact of that?

Adults with reading problems are: able to develop coping strategies, but are likely to make mistakes and are unlikely to reach their potential likely to avoid training and promotion twice as likely to have been made redundant or sacked from their first job five times more likely to be unemployed four times more likely to experience long-term unemployment more likely to end up in low-paid work.

Some practical and personal barriers to seeking help: Isolation: “No-one else has this problem; I can’t let anyone else know.” No access to transport or costs of travel to classes “I’ll never learn…/ I can get by…” Concern about job security: “What if the boss finds out?” Shift work making it difficult to find a class Stereotyping and discrimination – labelled by others as “thick”

Employers can work with Read Easy to make a difference! Support staff to realise they are not alone and can learn to read Promote learning and the Read Easy offer Make it easy - invite Read Easy coaches to run 1:1 sessions in the workplace during breaks or between shifts or Work with Read Easy to identify venues for coaching sessions close to the workplace. Points to make; Make it acceptable, make it easy to get support Learning at or near work can make it convenient and – if necessary confidential from the family Give information about Read Easy just as you would other staff information, make it normal to talk about support for reading If there is a union, ask them to promote Read Easy to members.

What are the possible benefits of your staff improving their reading? improved productivity improved customer care fewer errors increased effectiveness, confidence and flexibility in your workforce improved staff retention improved Health and Safety

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 manager/personnel to take forward referrals RE to attend wider staff meeting RE briefing for managers/supervisors on making sensitive referrals. (Presentation pack available) Read Easy event staff can attend

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.