One in six adults in the UK is trapped in a world of low literacy. That’s a staggering 8.5 million people who struggle to read and comprehend the written word.
This crisis robs people of life's basic choices and chances.
The statistics are alarming. 16% of our population read less than once a year, and don’t have access to the power of reading to transform their wellbeing, life outcomes and sense of social connection. Low literacy does not just limit access to the joy of books, but creates huge obstacles in navigating simple daily tasks. From completing job applications, understanding medical information, or supporting their children's education – a lack of literacy touches all areas of life.
But The Reading Agency is on a mission to change the narrative. Through our programmes with libraries, colleges, workplaces and prisons, we want to create a world where everyone can access the power of reading, because everything changes when you read.
