š° Adult Literacy News Summary
High Sheriff celebrates lifeāchanging literacy work of volunteers on World Book Day
05-Mar-2026 - UK
The High Sheriff of West Sussex, Dr Tim Fooks, has praised the work of volunteers helping adults learn to read after meeting members of Read Easy Chichester & Arun at an event in Bognor Regis. Dr Fooks visited the charity at the Sky Lounge at The Shore Community Church, where he met volunteer reading coaches and several adults who are currently learning to read through the programme. The visit highlighted the powerful impact that literacy can have for people who struggled at school or who have spent many years quietly hiding their inability to read.
Read moreNHS says 3 behaviour issues could be dyslexia sign - they don't include reading or writing
04-Mar-2026 - UK
Dyslexia is a common learning difficulty marked by challenges with reading, writing and spelling. Whilst it doesn't impact someone's intelligence, it can influence other aspects of their life unrelated to literacy, with roughly one in 10 people thought to have some form of dyslexia. Specialists at Evolve Psychology have highlighted three indicators of dyslexia that manifest beyond the classroom, and how a diagnosis can provide struggling children and adults with the necessary support.
Read moreLudlow community groups encouraged to apply for grant
03-Mar-2026 - UK
Ludlow Rotary Cares' is the club's annual scheme delivering grants of up to Ā£750 for charities and organisations. Over the past 11 years, the club has handed out Ā£60,000 to over 110 community projects through this scheme. Grants also went to groups like the Gallows Bank Millenium Green Trust, which cares for a valued green space in the town, and Read Easy Shropshire Hills, which assists with adult literacy.
Read moreCharities support BBC campaign to improve literacy
03-Mar-2026 - UK
Charities have welcomed the launch of a BBC campaign to champion groups and organisations that support child and adult literacy. One in four children in England do not meet the expected standard in reading by the time they leave primary school, according to figures from the Department for Education, external. School Readers, external, which provides free one-to-one reading support for children in primary schools across the UK, has backed Page Turners, launched by BBC Three Counties Radio.
Read moreESOL cuts are ābizarreā, says skills minister
02-Mar-2026 - UK
Cutting funding to English language lessons aimed at migrants is a ābizarreā decision that undermines ambitions to build cohesive communities, the skills minister has said. Jacqui Smith told FE Weekās Apprenticeship and Training Conference that she was āconcernedā by this development in Greater Lincolnshire, led by Reform UK mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns. She said the government wants to look āmore broadlyā at English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) provision and how officials can āensure it is available everywhereā. But she highlighted the āchallengeā of adult skills funding, including ESOL, being devolved and controlled by local mayors.
Read moreOliver James, 34, is learning to read and posting about it on TikTok
28-Feb-2026 - USA
"Whatās up! I canāt read," Oliver James said in his first-ever TikTok. Since then, he's garnered thousands of followers as he works through illiteracy. James is one of over 8 million Americans who are functionally illiterate. As a child, he struggled with learning disabilities and was placed in special education. He says he suffered from abuse within the school system, and found it hard to focus on school, let alone reading.
Read moreSurrey prepares for devolution of adult education functions
27-Feb-2026 - UK
Skills and training opportunities for adults across Surrey are set to have greater local oversight and control as part of wider efforts to grow the regional economy. Surrey County Councilās Cabinet this week reviewed progress towards the devolution of adult education functions and related funding from central government. Commitment to transfer these functions was secured as part of the county deal agreed in 2024 and forms part of the governmentās wider devolution agenda.
Read moreLondon Luton Airport CEO joins Business for Literacy Council
27-Feb-2026 - UK
Alberto Martin, Chief Executive of London Luton Airport (LLA), has joined the National Literacy Trustās Business for Literacy Council, reinforcing the airportās commitment to supporting the development of literacy skills for young people. Established in 2023, the National Literacy Trustās Business for Literacy Council brings together senior business leaders who are personally, and through their organisations, committed to making an impact on literacy.
Read moreLearning bus to tour and teach English and maths
27-Feb-2026 - UK
A bus with a fitted classroom will be touring towns in East Yorkshire to deliver preparatory maths and English courses. The mobile learning centre, which has been set up by East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC), has been designed to help prepare people who are seeking qualifications up to the equivalent of a GCSE. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund has funded the project with a Ā£170,000 investment.
Read moreChildren invited to step into a library this World Book Day
26-Feb-2026 - UK
Wakefield Council is encouraging children to step into a library this World Book Day (March 5) as part of the National Year of Reading 2026. This year schools and libraries will be distributing Ā£1 World Book Day book tokens that can be exchanged at a bookshop or participating retailer. Story time sessions for under-fives and their grown-ups take place throughout the week at Wakefield Council libraries and each child who attends will receive a Ā£1 book token.
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