Leicestershire reading charity benefits from funding
23 June 2022
A charity that provides free and confidential reading coaching for adults has received £1,000 from our North Midlands region as part of our Community Champions scheme.
Read Easy Leicester & District has a team of readers and coaches who meet twice a week to go through a structured, phonics-based reading programme with local people in Leicestershire.
Ramilla Patel, from the charity, said: “Our group’s purpose is to help some of the 21,000 adults locally who cannot read or who have little reading skills. This is done through a proven confidential programme of free one-to-one adult reading coaching provided by trained volunteers, and through using a structured phonics-based reading programme.
“The main cost is for buying reading manuals and volunteer coach training, so we’re really pleased to be receiving this £1,000 grant from Persimmon Homes. The cost to coach one person to read is relatively low but once they can read, their lives are transformed with long-lasting benefits not just for them but their families and their communities.
“Adults who struggle to read are five times more likely to be unemployed, struggle to help their children with learning and are less likely to vote or take part in public and community life. Our group’s vision is to ensure as many adults in the area as possible have the literacy skills they need to fulfil their potential.”
Nadine O'Dowd, sales director at Persimmon Homes North Midlands, said: “We’re thrilled to be supporting Read Easy Leicester & District with our Community Champions funding this month. The reasons people have not learnt to read are varied but this service means they can access a free, one-to-one and confidential service and get the help they need without feeling embarrassed or ashamed. The charity relies entirely on donations, grants and local fundraising to run so hopefully this extra £1,000 will help them support more people on their reading journey.”
For more information, contact Elaine about Read Easy Leicester & District.
Persimmon Homes makes £64,000 a month available to fund community initiatives across the UK. To apply, visit the website.
