Read Easy Southampton & IOW

19/10/2026

Listen in to BBC Radio 5 live at 6.54am to hear another interview with our Reader Alan. He went to Hythe Library - Hampshire County Council to find out more about Read Easy & discovered the help available. A few days later, he was matched with his Coach Angie. The one to one private coaching has made all the difference to his learning & we are so happy he's enjoying the benefits. 👏😊

Listen live to Radio 5 Live on BBC Sounds

18/10/2026

Thank you to Jo Kent & BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight & for this lovely feature about our Reader Alan and his inspirational story! We are delighted with all this wonderful coverage which is an enormous help to our group. 👏🎉😃

Alan, from Southampton, learned to read through the charity Read Easy.

17/10/2026

Alan is learning to read at the age of 86 - here he is with deputy team leader Hilary taking part in a Q&A at our Certificate Ceremony on 6 Oct 2026. It's never too late to learn & we send him enormous thanks for his inspirational contribution to our publicity! 😃🎉👏

16/10/2026

Nathaniel is striding forward on his reading journey, collecting his certificate for manual 1. He has a hearing impairment, but his enthusiasm & determination ensure he is making great progress! Congratulations to him & his Coach Naomi. We wish them enormous success for their partnership. 😃👏🎉

15/10/2026

Peter from the Read Easy Merseyside group took part in this moving documentary that aired last night on BBC2 at 9pm. Here is the link if you want to catch up with the programme. # 👏😃

Five surprising and inspiring stories of how books can change lives, led by Her Majesty Queen Camilla.

15/10/2026

Time to put a face to a name! Here is Reader Alan collecting his certificates for manuals 1 & 2 – it’s great to see his happiness for his achievements. Thank you to his Coach Angie & we’re very grateful for all the publicity Alan is providing for us. Search our photos from earlier this summer to find the post with more details about his interesting life - & a video of his Q&A is coming soon! 👏😃🎉

14/10/2026

Also today, our Reader Alan, who is 86 years old, gave an interview on BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight (Radio Solent) to Alun Newman. Today is his 65th wedding anniversary & for the first time, he can read the cards sent to him & his wife. 💗😊
Catch up using the link below, (at 2 hours & 51 mins in)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0032hrp
An enormous thank you to Alan for this great interview & congrats to him & his Coach Angie! 😃👏

The day's local and national news, as well as big guests, great music and loads of fun.

14/10/2026

Today is a big day for Read Easy in the national media! 😃 Reader Ambassador Peter from Read Easy Merseyside features in a documentary that will air this evening on BBC 2 at 9pm: 'The Book That Changed My Life' - and we are very excited to watch his contribution. More details in the post below from Read Easy UK 😊

One of our Reader Ambassadors will share his reading journey in a new BBC documentary, airing today on BBC2 and iPlayer. Peter learned to read with Read Easy Merseyside.

Marking the National Year of Reading 2026, the documentary sees Her Majesty Queen Camilla explore the transformative power of reading, meeting four remarkable people, including Peter, whose lives have been changed by books at moments when they most needed them. The film explores how reading can lift us, open our minds and, sometimes, change the course of a life.

The film also explores the growing scientific evidence that demonstrates how reading can improve health and wellbeing.

We want to thank Peter for his willingness to share his story so publicly and express our gratitude to everyone involved in the production for their commitment to telling a story about an adult learning to read.

The Book That Changed My Life is now available on iPlayer and will be shown on BBC 2 at 9pm Wednesday 14th October.

13/10/2026

Many thanks to the The Lord Mayor of Southampton for her opening speech at our Certificate Ceremony last Tues. “I have been delighted to learn more about Read Easy and meet the people whose dedication, resilience and enthusiasm play such a valuable part in our city. It is unique. No other organisation offers the same service.” We really appreciate these supportive words recognising the achievements of our Readers and Coaches. 😃🎉👏

12/10/2026

Leyla has now graduated from the Read Easy programme and we send her enormous congratulations! Also, a big thank you to her Coach Lyn who worked with her from start to finish. They formed a great partnership and there will be a quote from Leyla later in the week. 🎉👏😃