On World Book Day at Salisbury Library the message was clear – if you cannot read then the literacy charity Read Easy can help.
During the day volunteers manned a stall and spoke to members of the public about the work of South and East Wiltshire Read Easy.
During a discussion in the afternoon, Read Easy team leader Julia West said: “We would like people to spread the word about Read Easy and to encourage any adult who has problems with reading to get in touch with us.
“We offer a free, confidential one-to-one service in a convenient venue. The commitment is for two half-hour sessions a week and we will support the reader throughout their journey.”
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On World Book Day, library staff dressed as their favourite characters from children’s literature.
Sherlock Holmes (aka community library manager Philip Tomes) talked about all the material that the library has to help people with reading and the various activities designed to encourage people to frequent the library.
Quick Reads by The Reading Agency, for example, provides a route on from the Read Easy course that stresses quality storytelling and adult-focused content while ensuring books are written in an accessible and easy style.
The books are written by some of the most popular authors, such as Andy McNab, Jojo Moyes, Anne Cleeves, Ian Rankin and the late Benjamin Zephaniah.
Quick Read books area available to borrow from the library.
The event was a joint effort between Read Easy, the library and the Royal Society for the Arts Manufactures and Commerce (RSA). The deputy chair of the Salisbury network of the RSA, Frances Owen, said the organisation had been campaigning for social change for 270 years.
Anyone who knows someone who cannot read and would like them to receive help from Read Easy can contact Ann Greaves via email here or by phone on 07942 382318.
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