A MELKSHAM woman recently celebrated being the first person to learn to read with free tutoring charity Read Easy Melksham.
66-year-old Edna became the first to graduate the learning scheme when she was presented with a finisher’s certificate at Melksham Library last week.
Having never been properly taught to read, Edna started learning with Read Easy Melksham in May, and now feels it will make a big difference to her life.
Edna told Melksham News, “I’m very excited to be the first person to have learned with Read Easy.
“I could read a little bit before, but I wanted to be able to read my letters myself and not have to ask someone else to read them out to me.
“Now I can do that and I’d like to read more newspapers and books. I didn’t ever learn properly and I wanted to for a while, but people kept putting me off. I’m pleased that Read Easy have been here to help me.”
Read Easy Melksham offers a free and confidential service for local adults to learn or improve their reading skills. The coaches and committee are all volunteers who have been trained by professionals from national charity Read Easy UK.
Chair of Read Easy Melksham, David Williams said, “I am very excited to have seen Edna, our first ‘reader’, graduate from the Read Easy course.
“Around 2.4million adults in the UK have a reading age lower than seven. For most people things like shopping, reading newspapers, and following medicine instructions are taken for granted but for non-readers they are impossible without help.
“When a student has learned to read, a whole new world opens up for them. They often feel very different about themselves; they are no longer the ‘odd ones out’. New opportunities open up in social settings and in employment. The change can affect family relationships, mental health and community involvement.
“We are currently helping another four students, but if we can raise enough funds and train sufficient staff, we envision an expanded team of coaches who are working with 15 to 20 adults at any one time.
“We are confident that the effect on individual lives as well as on the Melksham community will be tremendous!”
Read Easy Melksham is looking for more volunteers; free training is given to all new coaches.
Anyone wishing to volunteer or to learn to read should contact Pauline Centa, Melksham co-ordinator on 07468 852655 or email pauline@readeasy.org.uk
