A man from Dulwich who learned to read for the first time in his 30s has urged other adults in his position ‘not to let the embarrassment win’ and to ask for help.
In a week where many schoolchildren have been dressing up as their favourite literary characters to mark World Book Day (Thursday 5 March), 38-year old Ashley has spoken out about his experience learning to read as an adult and the transformative impact it has had on his life.
He began his journey in 2024 with the help of local charity Read Easy Southwark who provide one-to-one reading coaching for adults.
Eighteen months later he attends either two half-hour sessions or one hour-long session each week with his volunteer reading coach, Shelagh.
Ashley has described how learning to read changed his life and is calling on others in his position to take the same plunge.
He said: “I knew for a while that I needed to do something about it. I knew it was holding me back and if I wanted to progress in life and open myself up to the job market, I was going to have to put my head down and learn to read.
“Just being able to have the ability to pick up a book and enjoy it. To be able to watch something with subtitles. To not worry about travelling somewhere and getting lost because I can’t read the directions on my phone.
“Or to read a newspaper. People don’t realise that when you can’t read it is these simple things that separate you from other people. I want to be on a level playing field to everyone else.”
Ashley is urging anyone else in a similar position who might feel embarrassed about not knowing how to read to take the plunge and reach out for help: “When I was younger, I was embarrassed and ashamed. But now I realise, the more you hide from things, the worse they get. You have to open yourself up to get the help you need.
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‘The mistake a lot of people in my situation make is to let the embarrassment win when in fact you need to get over that and just say look, I need help”.
Read Easy Southwark are currently looking for more volunteer coordinators and readers. To find out more about becoming a learner or volunteer, visit the charity’s website.
