{"id":472890,"date":"2026-03-06T14:24:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T14:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/?p=472890"},"modified":"2026-03-06T17:11:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T17:11:18","slug":"dulwich-man-who-learned-to-read-in-his-30s-urges-others-in-same-position-to-reach-out-for-help","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/dulwich\/dulwich-man-who-learned-to-read-in-his-30s-urges-others-in-same-position-to-reach-out-for-help\/","title":{"rendered":"Dulwich man who learned to read in his 30s urges others in same position to &#8216;reach out for help&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>A man from Dulwich who learned to read for the first time in his 30s has urged other adults in his position &#8216;not to let the embarrassment win&#8217; and to ask for help.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"69959\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448384\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">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<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>He began his journey in 2024 with the help of local charity Read Easy Southwark who provide one-to-one reading coaching for adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eighteen months later he attends either two half-hour sessions or one hour-long session each week with his volunteer&nbsp;reading coach, Shelagh.<\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"68153\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448385\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">PGRpdiBpZD0ic291dGgtMjczNjUxMTQxIiBjbGFzcz0ic291dGgtY29udGVudCBzb3V0aC1lbnRpdHktcGxhY2VtZW50IiBzdHlsZT0ibWFyZ2luLWxlZnQ6IGF1dG87bWFyZ2luLXJpZ2h0OiBhdXRvO3RleHQtYWxpZ246IGNlbnRlcjsiPjwhLS0gIC8xNTQ3MjUwNzAsMjI2OTQxOTY5Njkvc291dGh3YXJrbmV3cy9zb3V0aHdhcmtuZXdzIC0tPg0KPGRpdiBpZD0iZGl2LWdwdC1hZC0yeDEiPg0KPHNjcmlwdD4NCmdvb2dsZXRhZy5jbWQucHVzaChmdW5jdGlvbigpIHsgZ29vZ2xldGFnLmRpc3BsYXkoJ2Rpdi1ncHQtYWQtMngxJyk7IH0pOw0KPC9zY3JpcHQ+DQo8L2Rpdj4gICAgICAgICAgPC9kaXY+<\/script>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-southwark-news wp-block-embed-southwark-news\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"Wv7LZ6D7HoCKPo8ZFrwNKkMbVQMnXARvP4Fbzx0U1hGpBeYA0mguUctayqJ9CfH\"><blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"5vqKLdGngR\"><a href=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/deptford\/deptfords-reading-lounge-a-cosy-place-to-discover-new-books\/\">Deptford&#8217;s Reading Lounge: a cosy place to discover new books<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Deptford&#8217;s Reading Lounge: a cosy place to discover new books&#8221; &#8212; Southwark News\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/deptford\/deptfords-reading-lounge-a-cosy-place-to-discover-new-books\/embed\/#?secret=A0grkG5nY3#?secret=5vqKLdGngR\" data-secret=\"5vqKLdGngR\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Ashley has described how learning to read changed his life and is calling on others in his position to take the same plunge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He said:  \u201cI 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.<\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"71156\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448386\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">PGRpdiBpZD0ic291dGgtMTQ2MTE5NzM0MSIgY2xhc3M9InNvdXRoLWluLWFydGljbGUtbXB1OSBzb3V0aC1lbnRpdHktcGxhY2VtZW50Ij48IS0tICAvMTU0NzI1MDcwLDIyNjk0MTk2OTY5L3NvdXRod2Fya25ld3Mvc291dGh3YXJrbmV3cyAtLT4NCjxkaXYgaWQ9ImRpdi1ncHQtYWQtbXB1OSI+DQo8c2NyaXB0Pg0KZ29vZ2xldGFnLmNtZC5wdXNoKGZ1bmN0aW9uKCkgeyBnb29nbGV0YWcuZGlzcGxheSgnZGl2LWdwdC1hZC1tcHU5Jyk7IH0pOw0KPC9zY3JpcHQ+DQo8L2Rpdj4gICAgIDwvZGl2Pg==<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cJust 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\u2019t&nbsp;read&nbsp;the directions on my phone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Or to&nbsp;read&nbsp;a newspaper. People don\u2019t realise that when you can\u2019t&nbsp;read&nbsp;it is these simple things that separate you from other people. I want to be on a level playing field to everyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-southwark-news wp-block-embed-southwark-news\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"V3oOTI7kw5LG8vb49RaJNjCExfQpXslnctdZu0UyhgmKzqrBW1PYeFi\"><blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"vUVUZ5ZZLe\"><a href=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/bermondsey\/overground-trains-will-stop-at-london-bridge-this-saturday\/\">Overground trains will stop at London Bridge this Saturday<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Overground trains will stop at London Bridge this Saturday&#8221; &#8212; Southwark News\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/bermondsey\/overground-trains-will-stop-at-london-bridge-this-saturday\/embed\/#?secret=eRL71kel95#?secret=vUVUZ5ZZLe\" data-secret=\"vUVUZ5ZZLe\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>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:  \u201cWhen 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8216;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\u201d.&nbsp;<\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"71157\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448387\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">PGRpdiBpZD0ic291dGgtMzM0NjMzMzA2NCIgY2xhc3M9InNvdXRoLWluLWFydGljbGUtbXB1LTEwIHNvdXRoLWVudGl0eS1wbGFjZW1lbnQiPjwhLS0gIC8xNTQ3MjUwNzAsMjI2OTQxOTY5Njkvc291dGh3YXJrbmV3cy9zb3V0aHdhcmtuZXdzIC0tPg0KPGRpdiBpZD0iZGl2LWdwdC1hZC1tcHUxMCI+DQo8c2NyaXB0Pg0KZ29vZ2xldGFnLmNtZC5wdXNoKGZ1bmN0aW9uKCkgeyBnb29nbGV0YWcuZGlzcGxheSgnZGl2LWdwdC1hZC1tcHUxMCcpOyB9KTsNCjwvc2NyaXB0Pg0KPC9kaXY+ICAgICA8L2Rpdj4=<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>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\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/readeasy.org.uk\/groups\/read-easy-southwark\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">website<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-southwark-news wp-block-embed-southwark-news\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"gl4mniU9o136QAFa8cIBkwdVDh5ESjLMqCYX2fKzNrH0RpuGt7JxPWeyOvsZb\"><blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"Xfa2q2UH5V\"><a href=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/news\/community\/cutty-sark-street-food-market-returns-to-greenwich-this-mothers-day-weekend\/\">Cutty Sark Street Food Market returns to Greenwich this Mother&#8217;s Day weekend<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Cutty Sark Street Food Market returns to Greenwich this Mother&#8217;s Day weekend&#8221; &#8212; Southwark News\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/news\/community\/cutty-sark-street-food-market-returns-to-greenwich-this-mothers-day-weekend\/embed\/#?secret=kq9MBaZtYE#?secret=Xfa2q2UH5V\" data-secret=\"Xfa2q2UH5V\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A man from Dulwich who learned to read for the first time in his 30s has urged other adults in his position &#8216;not to let the embarrassment win&#8217; 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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19207,"featured_media":472899,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":{"format":"standard","override":[{"template":"1","parallax":"1","fullscreen":"1","layout":"right-sidebar","sidebar":"default-sidebar","second_sidebar":"default-sidebar","sticky_sidebar":"1","share_position":"top","share_float_style":"share-monocrhome","show_share_counter":"1","show_view_counter":"1","show_featured":"1","show_post_meta":"1","show_post_author":"1","show_post_author_image":"1","show_post_date":"1","post_date_format":"default","post_date_format_custom":"Y\/m\/d","show_post_category":"1","show_post_reading_time":"0","post_reading_time_wpm":"300","post_calculate_word_method":"str_word_count","show_zoom_button":"0","zoom_button_out_step":"2","zoom_button_in_step":"3","show_post_tag":"1","show_prev_next_post":"1","show_popup_post":"1","show_comment_section":"1","number_popup_post":"1","show_author_box":"1","show_inline_post_related":"1"}],"image_override":[{"single_post_thumbnail_size":"crop-500","single_post_gallery_size":"crop-500"}],"trending_post_position":"meta","trending_post_label":"Trending","sponsored_post_label":"Sponsored by","disable_ad":"0","subtitle":"38-year-old Ashley started learning to read in 2024 with the help of local charity Read Easy Southwark who provide one-to-one reading coaching for adults."},"jnews_primary_category":{"id":"84"},"jnews_social_meta":[],"jnews_override_counter":{"view_counter_number":"0","share_counter_number":"0","like_counter_number":"0","dislike_counter_number":"0"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[7375,84,13539,13602],"tags":[141,18049,8458,208],"class_list":["post-472890","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-dulwich","category-featured","category-news","tag-charity","tag-dulwich","tag-reading","tag-southwark"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/472890","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19207"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=472890"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/472890\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":473069,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/472890\/revisions\/473069"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/472899"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=472890"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=472890"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=472890"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}