đź“° Adult Literacy News Summary
The Reading Agency Launches Prison Reading Campaign
17-Apr-2026 - UK
The Reading Agency today announces a landmark UK prison reading campaign, made possible with the generous support of The Henry Smith Foundation during the government-backed National Year of Reading. Marking the 20th anniversary of its flagship Quick Reads programme, The Reading Agency will work in collaboration with prison partners to deliver 480,000 books into prisons across the UK, ensuring that every person in prison has access to high-quality, accessible reading
Read moreSchool tackles 'daunting' Covid reading setback
17-Apr-2026 - UK
A school which saw a "daunting" 35% drop in pupils' reading skills following the Covid-19 pandemic says it is making significant progress in helping its youngsters catch up. Assessments at the beginning of the academic year in September 2023 found almost a quarter of children at Netherhall School in Maryport, Cumbria, had below average or very low reading skills.
Read moreFree books for World Book Night at Devon libraries
17-Apr-2026 - UK
World Book Night, marked annually on April 23, aims to encourage adults to rediscover reading for pleasure and take part in the Reading Hour between 7 and 8pm. The initiative, led in partnership with The Reading Agency, will see community members receive copies of The Last Bench by Carmel Harrington on April 23.
Read moreEdinburgh programme uses football to improve literacy skills
15-Apr-2026 - UK
An Edinburgh football-themed learning course is helping adults improve their literacy and numeracy skills. The 10-week programme, titled Back of the Net, uses the sport to engage participants in a relaxed environment while boosting their reading, writing, communication, and digital skills.
Read moreOne book in three weeks? At some universities that would be a triumph
14-Apr-2026 - UK
At the London Book Fair earlier this month, Joanna Prior, chief executive of Pan Macmillan and chair of the National Literacy Trust, warned that the decline in reading poses a greater threat to the publishing industry than artificial intelligence (AI) ever could. She cited University of Oxford professor Jonathan Bate’s observation that university students who once read three books a week now struggle to finish one in three weeks.
Read moreFree coaching for adults to learn to read - Ikram's story
13-Apr-2026 - UK
One day Ikram was in the library with his children. He was showing them the books when the librarian came up to him and said, 'I’ve seen you showing your children the pictures in the books, but I have never heard you reading'. When Ikram told her he couldn’t read very much, the librarian told him all about Read Easy. He contacted us straight away and soon, he was following his own reading journey alongside his children’s
Read moreDolly Parton's Imagination Library books arrive in village
10-Apr-2026 - UK
The Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has launched in Lambourn thanks to funding from the Lambourn Church of England School House Trust, in partnership with Lambourn Junction Community Interest Company. The scheme delivers free, age-appropriate books each month to children under five, aiming to ignite a lifelong love of reading.
Read moreAlesha Dixon backs free book scheme
09-Apr-2026 - UK
Singer, children's author and television presenter Alesha Dixon is backing a new scheme offering free books to families to boost literacy and life chances. Dixon is supporting the launch of a "Library of No Returns", where children can take books home to keep. The initiative, led by Experian in partnership with the National Literacy Trust, will be based in Walsall, an area identified as having lower literacy rates.
Read moreHow a love of books could boost your money skills
09-Apr-2026 - UK
New analysis of millions of people’s credit files has revealed a strong connection between literacy levels and credit profiles. Credit agency Experian has reviewed data on UK constituencies with a vulnerability to low literacy and linked this up with credit profiles. It found in constituencies with the highest vulnerability to low literacy average credit scores were between 6% and 12% below the national average of 850.
Read moreCouncil awards funding boost to inclusive community project in West Bridgford
09-Apr-2026 - UK
A West Bridgford community project has received a funding boost to support its work providing a safe and inclusive space for adults with additional needs to come together, build confidence, and feel part of their community. The initiative promotes social connection and wellbeing by helping individuals develop essential life skills including communication, teamwork, customer service, literacy and numeracy, as well as increasing awareness of healthy eating, food waste, and environmental responsibility.
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