đź“° Adult Literacy News Summary
Free 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 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 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 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.
Read moreLondon mayor uses unspent adult skills funding for youth NEETs programme
09-Apr-2026 - UK
Millions in unspent adult education funding held by the mayor of London will be diverted to youth unemployment schemes. Over the next two years, London mayor Sadiq Khan will use £9 million of the Greater London Authority’s adult skills fund reserves to pay for the capital city’s support for young Londoners-NEET programme. The move has prompted concerns that already-stretched adult education funding is being used to “fill gaps” left by government cuts for other programmes.
Read moreRead Easy Chilterns pays tribute to Buckinghamshire supporter
09-Apr-2026 - UK
A Buckinghamshire charity has paid tribute to one of its supporters after a generous donation to help its work. Read Easy Chilterns has honoured the life of Graham Jones, whose legacy will support adults learning to read across the county.
Read moreWhy some children with learning difficulties get identified – and others don’t
08-Apr-2026 - UK
Two children sit in different schools. Both struggle to read. Both have similar low scores on national tests. But while one gets a diagnosis of specific learning difficulties and a package of support, the other is left to fall behind. Fewer than 2% of pupils in England are identified as having a specific learning difficulty. That figure sits well below international estimates suggesting that between 5% and 10% of children are affected. Some researchers put the true prevalence of reading difficulties as high as one in five.
Read moreSoroptimist group visit massive Dunfermline book warehouse
05-Apr-2026 - UK
Better World Books, a global online bookseller, runs a socially conscious business model. The company collects and sells new and used materials online, matching each purchase with a book donation. Each sale raises funds for literacy and education projects in the UK, the US and further afield.
Read moreMeet Tashi, the miniature poodle helping children gain the confidence to read aloud
04-Apr-2026 - Australia
Tashi is one of 389 dogs across Australia that are part of a literacy program called Story Dogs, which helps primary school students gain the confidence and ability to read aloud. The dogs are accompanied by their owners, who volunteer to help children sound out difficult words and build relationships with the students. Meanwhile, the dog will sit patiently, accept pats and act as a friendly, accepting face.
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