A LOCAL group is helping combat illiteracy in the area.

Research has shown that around 16 per cent of adults in England are ‘functionally illiterate’, meaning they struggle to read information that is complex or unfamiliar.

Poor literary skills can severely impact a person’s life, career and confidence, and makes simple tasks such as understanding bus timetables or following a recipe incredibly difficult.

Read Easy Shropshire Hills, is a local volunteer group which has been providing free, confidential, one to one coaching to adults who struggle with reading.

'Anthony Elton', whose name has been changed to protect his identity, has recently seen success with the group.

“Anthony found learning to read hard when he was young and moving from school to school didn't help.” A spokesperson said.

“He fell behind his classmates and in later life came to rely completely on his wife, hiding his struggles with reading from the world. He didn’t need to know how to read as she took care of everything.

“His world fell apart when his wife died suddenly. Anthony had lost his life partner and the one person who could deal with everything which had to be read. He opened up to friend who encouraged him to get in touch with Read Easy Shropshire Hills and he began to learn to read with his coach.

“Anthony says his confidence has grown so much since he started learning with Read Easy. He is getting his life and his bills under control. He now reads a newspaper and books and does things he would never have even considered doing in the past. He even has the confidence to go on walking holidays in Anglesey with plans to venture further afield.”