Next time you’re down the shops, or on the bus, take a look around you. If you see more than a dozen adults, there’s a good chance that one of them can’t read.
The fact that 7 per cent of working-age men and women can barely read or write will come as a surprise to many.
And while anecdotally people often expect people with poor literacy to be from isolated, rural areas, urban areas tend to be the worst affected.
Borough mum, 43, learns to read so she can tell her children a bedtime story
According to the Nation Literacy Trust, the 50 places suffering most from low literacy scores were all either in cities, towns, or districts surrounding urban areas.
Poor literacy ability is a double-edged sword. Not only does it restrict access to employment, but it also means missing out on a lot of the cultural value London has to offer.
Then there’s the obvious strain of not being able to help your children with homework, or know how to pay your electric bill.
The work volunteers at Read Easy Southwark do to help adults learn to read is nothing short of inspirational.
Blessing, 43, has found a new lease of life since learning to read with her coach Ailsa and is now able to read her children a bedtime story.
But Read Easy needs more volunteers. If your New Year’s resolution has anything to do with helping others, or being more involved in your community, consider getting teaching an adult to read.
To get involved email: southwarknetworker@readeasy.org.uk.