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Home | Community Service Information | ... Literacy - a real problem

Rotary Literacy Projects

 

... or perhaps the title should say "Illiteracy"

 
One in five people in the UK struggles to read and write. This is a surprise to most people; it is also extremely worrying.
The United Kingdon came 25th out of 29 countries in a literacy survey, which does not reflect well. Roughly 5 million UK adults are 'functionally illiterate', in that they cannot read labels, signs or instructions. 

 
How can Rotary Clubs get involved? 

 
With Prisons 
There are three prisons in the District:- Bristol, Gloucester and Long Lartin. Clubs can provide books and/or dictionaries, can visit, talk to prisoners and perhaps help with reading schemes. 

 
With Schools 
If acceptable to the school, Clubs can: 
■ Help the children with reading 
■ Provide essay competitions 
■ Do mock interviews or mock job applications 
■ Set a competition whereby children write, draw, paint, or use some other type of materials to present a rendering of their favourite book. 
 
Useful Websites 
■ The National Literacy Trust is a national charity dedicated to changing lives through literacy 
■ Information Literacy is a website designed and developed by literacy specialists to support practitioners by providing practical resources 
■ Literacy in a Box Trust is a Plymouth-based charity in association with the Rotary Club of Rodborough which supports the work of the "School Aid 4 Zambia" programme.  
 
Downloadable details are attached containing suggestions for CLub literacy projects.
 Attachment: Literary Resources