📰 Adult Literacy News Summary
Tottenham children’s author donating book proceeds to literacy charity
15-May-2026 - UK
A Tottenham-based teacher is donating proceeds from her new children’s book to the National Literacy Trust. Ellie Rusu published her first children’s book, Amaya’s Race to Victory in December last year. The story follows a young girl and her supportive cat, Zac, as they try to raise enough money to build a library for her school. Money raised from the book will go to the National Literacy Trust, an independent charity which works with schools and communities to improve literacy skills and encourage reading among children and young people.
Read moreThe Best Text-to-Speech Apps and Tools for 2026
15-May-2026 - UK
Some people struggle with or are physically unable to read text on a screen. Others might want their computer to read something to them aloud while they do something else. There are numerous reasons to use a text-to-speech tool, also known as a screen reader. If you want your computer or phone to read to you, we've collected the best tools for the job below.
Read moreChildren’s laureate calls for action to tackle ‘reading crisis’
15-May-2026 - UK
Children’s laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce has called for national action to tackle the children’s "reading crisis", as new research suggests families are increasingly struggling to make reading part of daily life. Speaking at London’s Royal Institution, at an event hosted by children’s reading charity BookTrust, he argued that evidence shows there is an appetite to read among children, but families need more support. He claimed the UK is facing a serious crisis in children’s development, connecting this to wider pressures including poverty, housing insecurity, isolation and the erosion of local services such as libraries and youth provision. Part of this challenge is that too many children are starting school without consistently experiencing the warmth of shared stories and books, he said.
Read moreCharity walk from Newcastle to North Shields raises awareness of adult illiteracy
15-May-2026 - UK
A group of volunteers and supporters of Read Easy walked a ten mile route from Newcastle to North Shields to raise awareness of adult illiteracy. The route saw the group begin in Newcastle on Saturday and end on the coast, with some short breaks in Newcastle City Library, East End Library, Walker Library and Wallsend Library. The walk, completed by volunteers and supporters of the group, saw them raise awareness of adult illiteracy within the local communities they passed through - with the local community giving back by offering refreshments to the group, namely at Retro Bay Cafe in Whitley Bay and Barry’s Fruit and Veg in North Shields as the walk entered its final stages.
Read moreHow reading shapes your brain
14-May-2026 - UK
Do you remember what it was like before you learnt to read? It's hard to think back that far! Scientific research has shown that learning to read changes the way our brains work. Not only that, but depending on the language you are reading, your brain changes in different ways. In this podcast, Becca and Georgie discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.
Read moreBarrow town centre event hands out free books for adults
14-May-2026 - UK
Free books will be handed out as part of Dino Day in Barrow this weekend to help visitors rediscover the joys of reading. The annual town centre event is returning on Saturday, May 16, bringing a range of prehistoric fun for families to enjoy. As part of this, organisers Barrow Business Improvement District are working with the local library to promote the National Year of Reading, a government campaign to get adults back into reading.
Read moreHastings offers a blueprint for tackling the UK’s reading crisis
13-May-2026 - UK
A multi-year reading for pleasure programme called LitUp, developed by Bloomsbury Publishing and the National Literacy Trust in six schools in Hastings is transforming children’s attitudes towards reading. With 70% of participating pupils saying LitUp made them want to read more, the programme demonstrates a powerful early signal of what sustained, joined-up literacy work can achieve. Against a national backdrop of declining enjoyment and frequency of reading, LitUp pupils reported increased enjoyment of reading.
Read moreDecades after walking out of school, Salisbury man rewrites his story
12-May-2026 - UK
A Man from Salisbury who walked out of school aged 15 after being humiliated by a teacher has turned his life around decades later with the help of a literacy charity. Alan, now in his early 50s, left school with no qualifications after struggling in lessons and feeling unsupported. Although Alan built a successful career in construction and has worked for the same company since 1997, difficulties with reading continued to affect his confidence and opportunities. After seeing Read Easy featured on television, Alan contacted the Salisbury-based literacy charity when he began struggling with a work course. He was paired with volunteer reading coach Michelle Haskins, and the pair spent a year meeting twice a week at Five Rivers Leisure Centre. Now Alan is studying towards an NVQ, reading Quick Read books from Salisbury Library and proudly keeping up with the scrolling subtitles on morning television.
Read moreFareShare Midlands Celebrates I-Can Programme Impact
08-May-2026 - UK
FareShare Midlands is celebrating the powerful impact of its pioneering I-Can employability programme, delivered as part of the PURE (Partnership for Urban Employment and Recovery) initiative commissioned by Birmingham City Council. At its heart, I-Can has been about more than just finding work. By creating a warm, inclusive and supportive environment, the team has enabled individuals to grow in confidence, improve literacy and job readiness, gain hands-on experience in warehouse and kitchen settings, and connect with real employment opportunities. This tailored, person-centred approach has led to 98 people securing jobs, with a further 21 participants gaining employment within FareShare Midlands itsel
Read moreDo we absorb information better on paper, rather than screens? It depends on the screen
07-May-2026 - Australia
The Swedish government recently announced it was moving from the classroom use of digital devices back to physical books. It cited concerns over declining test scores and increasing screen time. Are these concerns well founded? And what does the science of reading say about the possible consequences of reading on digital devices versus books?
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