Read Easy celebrates 10 years helping adults learn in Torbay

An organisation which changes the lives of adults by helping them to read is celebrating 10 years in Torbay.

Read Easy UK is the only national organisation in the country which provides a volunteer-led reading coaching programme for adults. 

Read Easy Torbay and South Devon’s current volunteer coaches, management team and readers were joined by Mandy Woodard, who started the group 10 years ago, retired volunteers and successful readers to mark the special occasion.

Mandy, a local entrepreneur in Torquay, realised that over 7,000 adults in Torbay needed help to learn to read and she was determined to do something about it. 

She discovered that a newly formed organisation, Read Easy UK, was helping groups to set up in different parts of the country where the need was greatest. 

Mandy started one of the first groups in the country, an incredible achievement. Mandy explains: “It’s fantastic to be part of such a life-changing project. I have met many inspiring and interesting people and have learnt all sorts of new skills along the way.”

Over the past 10 years Read Easy Torbay has helped hundreds of adults learn to read. There are many reasons why adults can’t read but in every case the impact on individuals and their families is massive which is why your local Read Easy group has extended its support into Teignbridge and Totnes and is now known as Read Easy Torbay and South Devon. 

The need is huge; it is estimated that 1 in 14 adults cannot read.

Even adults who thought they would never be able to read because of their dyslexia are successful because of the individual support they are offered through Read Easy.

The group's most recent reader, Stacey, joined them with her coach Lynda for the celebration.  On a fine summer’s day they enjoyed a picnic in the peaceful Shekinah Grow gardens on the outskirts of Paignton.

The group was delighted to be joined in their celebration by Lawrence, one of the first adults who learned to read with Read Easy Torbay. 

Lawrence’s early education was very disrupted. In his early 20s he found himself unable to progress in work despite his other abilities. 

He wanted to gain an HGV licence but not being able to read, this was proving very difficult. Lawrence was introduced to Sally, our first trained coach who is still enjoying coaching with Read Easy. 

They met in Torquay library every Saturday morning for around two years. Lawrence learned to read, gained his HGV licence and now runs his own water bore hole drilling firm locally, working across the South West. 

A group spokesman said: “We were delighted to welcome him to our celebration and hear of his success and support for Read Easy.”

Lawrence said: “I want to thank you all for doing this (helping adults to read). My life has changed massively as a result of Read Easy. We started this going back 10 years. It’s gone so quick and it’s great to hear it’s still going strong. I can’t thank you enough.”

If you would like to know more about volunteering at Read Easy Torbay and South Devon do get in touch with Jane at torbayrecruiter@readeasy.org.uk  

The spokesman said: “We are pleased to hear from prospective coaches, or team members good at fund-raising or networking to reach out to non-readers and their supporters.

"We work together, having fun and gaining such a lot of personal satisfaction on the way.  Or if you know someone who struggles to read then ring Fiona on 07593223600.

"We will meet up with them and show them how we can help them learn to read. As with Lawrence, our reading support will change their lives.”