đź“° Adult Literacy News Summary
Free books giveaway launched for children in Bradford
15-Jul-2026 - UK
The giveaway, targeting three to ten-year-olds in Shipley, Bradford, is part of an initiative led by Experian to improve childhood literacy and financial wellbeing. The goal is to foster a love of reading and support early childhood development in one of England’s most literacy-vulnerable cities. John Webb, Head of Consumer Affairs at Experian UK&I, said: "People often think of literacy and financial wellbeing as separate issues, but they are closely connected. If children are supported to build strong reading skills early on, they are better placed to understand the world around them, make informed decisions and feel confident managing money later in life."
Read more"I used to hide my letters" – Wakefield woman tells how learning to read changed her life
15-Jul-2026 - UK
A Wakefield woman who spent years hiding unopened letters because she couldn't read them has spoken about how learning to read as an adult has transformed her life. Sharon, whose surname has not been published, said she lived for decades with the fear of being asked to read, relying on pictures to identify everyday shopping and avoiding situations where her difficulties might be exposed. "I just avoided things," she said. "If I got letters, I would get stuck on them, panic and just leave them hidden away. Things changed when a friend encouraged Sharon to seek help through Read Easy Wakefield, a volunteer-led charity that provides free, one-to-one reading coaching for adults.
Read moreHow do you make children enjoy reading again?
14-Jul-2026 - UK
Hundreds of primary school pupils have been encouraged to "love reading" by authors and illustrators. A two-day literacy event was held at the University of Suffolk on 13 and 14 July, in partnership with the Kingfisher Schools Trust and the East Anglian Daily Times (EADT) and Ipswich Star newspapers. University chancellor and children's author Zeb Soanes performed a reading of one of his Gaspard the Fox books, with live illustrations and music. Last year, one in three (32.7%) children and young people aged eight to 18 said they enjoyed reading in their free time, the lowest in 20 years.
Read morePhonemic Awareness Deficits and Dyslexia: Early Intervention Strategies That Work
14-Jul-2026 - USA
Dyslexia affects approximately 5 to 10 percent of the population, yet many remain unaware of the profound impact it has on learning and literacy. One of the critical factors contributing to dyslexia is phonemic awareness, which is the ability to recognize and manipulate individual sounds in spoken words. Understanding the role of phonemic awareness and implementing effective interventions can significantly enhance literacy outcomes for those with dyslexia. In this article, we’ll explore the relationship between phonemic awareness deficits and dyslexia, delve into early intervention strategies that work, and discuss the current relevance of these methods in educational settings.
Read moreOver half of adults with learning disabilities do not live past 65, report says
13-Jul-2026 - UK
More than half of adults with learning disabilities in England die before the age of 65, an annual report into mortality suggests. For the general population, that figure is 15%, according to the Learning Disabilities Mortality Review, which is known as the LeDeR and was commissioned by NHS England. It looked at deaths recorded between 2021 and 2024 and found those with a learning disability died, on average, 19 years younger than the general population. A government spokesperson said "significant action" was already underway to improve care, adding that ministers would "do all we can for people with a learning disability and autistic people."
Read moreWorlds of wrestling and reading collide at library
11-Jul-2026 - UK
You may have heard of chess boxing, in which fighters alternate between duking it out in the ring and carefully seeking checkmate on the board. Now Bradford Libraries is bringing literature into the arena, combining wrestling with reading. Professional wrestlers will take to the ring at Keighley Library later for a free family event that will see fighters act out well-known stories, from Jack and the Beanstalk to Theseus and the Minotaur. The Read-a-Slam event is part of the National Year of Reading programme at Bradford Libraries.
Read moreI'm dyslexic and avoided reading until BookTok got me hooked - now I run a book club
11-Jul-2026 - UK
Romance is the key that finally unlocked the world of reading for Amelia Lord after she had avoided it throughout her life. Love was all over her TikTok feed in the form of BookTok – the app's literary subcommunity - just as she was searching for a new hobby to take up after moving from her home in Newport to Gloucester. The 28-year-old social media and events coordinator did not read at all before she was 21. Although "intrigued", a dyslexia diagnosis made her think she couldn't do it. "I kept seeing BookToks on my TikTok," she said. "I was seeing loads about it and it piqued my interest." She made her first ever New Year's resolution, to read just one book, Colleen Hoover's It Ends With Us, which was released as a film starring Blake Lively in 2024. She established Booked Up Book Club after her boss gave her space at the play café where she works in the suburb of Whitchurch.
Read moreRead With Me hosts author John Dougherty at school event
10-Jul-2026 - UK
Stroud author John Dougherty delighted children from Kingsholm C of E Primary School this week at a Meet the Author event as part of Gloucestershire’s Year of Reading. One hundred and eighty children attended the event at Gloucester Rugby Club and enjoyed a session crammed with stories, songs, and laughter. The event was run by local literacy charity Read With Me, which provides volunteers to read with children in schools across Gloucestershire.
Read moreHope HTS celebrating 17 years of helping homeless people
10-Jul-2026 - UK
A homelessness charity is celebrating 17 years of helping people find safe accommodation and rebuild their lives. Hope Housing, Training and Support (HTS), based in Bournemouth, has supported more than 2,700 individuals since it was founded in 2009 by Julie Berti and her late father, David Botterill. Julie Berti, co-founder of Hope HTS, said: "Everything about our open day was glorious, from the weather to the singing, and the shared compassion of everyone attending. We were pleased to host some of our sector partners; BCHA, Bournemouth Foodbank, Read Easy, StreetScene, and The Samaritans, who were able to share their great work with our visitors."
Read moreThousands of free books to appear across Nottinghamshire this summer as Big City Reads returns
08-Jul-2026 - UK
Running until August 12, the youth-centred initiative will distribute 2,250 free books across Nottingham city and county. Across Nottinghamshire, books are being distributed through libraires, schools, colleges, cafés, arts venues, community organisations and county visitor attractions, helping to reach young people who may not otherwise have access to books at home. The campaign launched with book giveaways across Nottingham, with free books now available at locations across the city and county.
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