Read Easy UK

Who we are

At least 2.4 million adults in England can barely read or cannot read at all. This inhibits their access to work and further education.They struggle with road signs, household bills, menus, and letters from school. Many cannot read to their children or grandchildren – and the problem is getting worse

Read Easy UK is the only national organisation helping adults from all backgrounds to learn to read. We do this by providing them with free, confidential, one-to-one coaching by trained volunteers. This can help them to grow in confidence and self-esteem, access other learning and qualifications, improve their employment chances, and play a fuller part in family and home life, their local communities and wider society. Look at our website to hear from some of the people we have helped –readeasy.org.uk/success-stories/.

We are a national charity with a core support team, regional staff, and an annual budget of c.£500,000. Thousands of adults have learned to read with us, hundreds more are learning right now and we are expanding rapidly.

Our vision: Every adult who wants to learn to read, can.

Our culture and values

By 2029, Read Easy will be a Reading Movement – coaching Readers, raising awareness, tackling stigma, advocating change.

The Readers’ interests will be at the heart of everything we do, and we will be well known as a national Reading Movement. Our volunteers will be coaching thousands of Readers every year, supported by a small but highly effective, well-resourced and sustainable central team.

Reader focus  We exist for our Readers.

Togetherness  We are one team, always respectful, supporting one another.

Empowerment  We enable Readers, volunteers and employees.

Aspiration  We are ambitious and aspire to help many more Readers.

Fairness  We stand for equity and do what is right.

Excellence  We expect excellence from everyone.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

Read Easy UK will foster a diverse and inclusive community of Readers, volunteers, and employees, where everyone feels valued and respected, where people can be themselves, celebrate their difference, reach their potential, and help us to reach our goals.

Our vision is:

• To operate within the principles of fairness, respect, equity, diversity, integrity, and empathy for colleagues, and all stakeholders to our charity
• To foster a culture of diversity, inclusion, and belonging
• To develop and nurture our employees and volunteers, making the most of individual’s unique backgrounds and experiences
• To be representative of the community in the UK across all areas of diversity

You can read more about our approach here: www.readeasy.org.uk/about-us/edib