Over 35% of all UK adults are now lapsed readers.
This year, we’re joining the Big Give 2024 Christmas Challenge and we need your support. Donate to our campaign between 3 December 2024 and 10 December 2024 to have your donation, and your impact, doubled.
Can you help us hit our target and double the impact for adults learning to read? Sign up to The Reading Agency Roundup to get updates and reminders for the Big Give.
Low literacy does not just limit access to the joy of books, this crisis robs people of life’s basic choices and chances. It creates huge obstacles in navigating simple daily tasks, from completing job applications, understanding medical information, or supporting their children’s education.
With so many adults in the UK lacking vital literacy skills, we want to empower people to unlock the life-changing power of reading.
Our programmes have helped hundreds of thousands of readers grow their skills and confidence. These include Reading Ahead, our inspirational adult reading challenge, and Quick Reads – short, accessible books by bestselling authors, prioritising great story telling and adult-focused content, ensuring the books are written in an accessible and easy to read style.
Working with public libraries, prisons, colleges, hospitals, community and adult learning organisations we reach those who need our help most.
Over 35% of all UK adults are now lapsed readers.
8.5 million people struggle to read and comprehend the written word
Non-readers are 28% more likely to report feelings of depression.
£81 billion a year in lost earnings and welfare spending due to low levels of literacy.
It’s time to #TurnThePage on low literacy.
Donate now and double your impact. Together, we can help adults across the UK unlock their potential.
Sign up to The Reading Agency Roundup to be reminded before the campaign starts.
“Concentration is a problem for me so I find it hard to stick to books. I read a couple of chapters and then stop. I read this in one sitting and it has made me more confident to start back to reading again. […] Now I am less daunted at starting a book.”
– Quick Reads reader with low reading confidence
“I enter the challenge to improve my English and found that reading take me to a different world. I liked being able to experience all these different emotions that books gives me. Reading Ahead makes me want to read more often to develop new skills as well.”
– Reading Ahead participant
With the summer of sport coming to a close we asked you to tell us your Big Sporting Reads and moments of this summer.
500 Words, the UK’s most successful writing competition run by the BBC is back! The competition will be open from Tuesday 26 September to Friday 10 November 2023.
The Big Sporting Read – a new national celebration of reading – has announced its list of 25 titles celebrating…
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