Survey of Adult Skills: What Next?
Our vision is for a world where everyone is reading their way to a better life. We know that too many adults across the UK struggle to read. These barriers don’t just limit access to the joys reading can bring, but the crisis robs people of life’s basic choices and chances and creates huge obstacles in navigating simple daily tasks. From completing job applications, understanding medical information, or supporting their children’s education – reading is crucial.
The OECD recently published the findings from its 2023 Adult Skills Survey, which show that literacy skills among adults have slightly declined. 18% of adults in England are now at or below Level 1, struggling to read simple texts. Almost one-third of adults (32%) are at Level 2, meaning they might not have the critical reading skills needed to spot misinformation – or disinformation – in the news or online. This highlights the critical importance of creating and delivering accessible, engaging reading programmes within the community. Our own ‘state of the nation’ study into adult reading shows that these barriers are not just about functional literacy, but are embedded in people’s behaviours and attitudes, with only 50% of adults in the UK reading regularly.
We deliver tailored reading programmes which can support adult readers and improve literacy. Reading Ahead builds confidence from the ground up, providing a supported reading challenge that meets learners exactly where they are. By allowing participants to choose from a wide range of reading materials – including books, magazines, recipes, and poems – Reading Ahead makes reading accessible and enjoyable. The results speak volumes, with 72% of participants reading more for pleasure and 59% feeling more confident about their reading.
The new OECD data points out that in most countries, including England, foreign-born adults have lower literacy skills than native-born adults. Reading Ahead can act as a wrap-around support for those taking English classes, particularly in settings such as adult learning colleges, helping to deepen enthusiasm for reading and build community outside formal learning hours.
Specifically designed for emerging, lapsed, or less confident readers, our Quick Reads titles offer short books by popular authors, with at least six new titles publishing each year, and spanning genre and content. Of the readers, 92% report wanting to read another Quick Read, demonstrating how delivering reading material pitched at the right level and speaking to a reader’s taste, is crucial to embedding a reading habit.
Most recently, our innovative Reading Families programme can help to transform prison family visits by introducing shared reading experiences. As well as boosting reading engagement and literacy, it addresses multiple social challenges by also improving meaningful connections between parents and children and offering purposeful activity during visits.
With the latest OECD research finding that literacy and other essential skills directly impact social and economic mobility, our programmes are more than educational initiatives. Our programmes deliver opportunity, confidence and personal growth.
Contact us at [email protected] to see how we could work together to change lives through reading.
