HUNDREDS of adults in Wellington find it hard to read and a local charity group is searching for them.

Many hide their difficulties, others avoid anything which might involve reading, some pretend, but all of them must find modern life extremely hard.

Read Easy Wellington exists to find and help such people with free, confidential, one to one training. But it cannot do it alone. It needs help from the community. The people who need them need enormous courage to come forward.

The small committee is planning an awareness event on Thursday, August 30, from 6-8pm and would like anyone interested in their work to pop in to meet them and talk about ways the community could become more involved.

Read Easy Wellington also needs new coaches, who will undertake phonics training and learn to use the manuals devised specifically for teaching adults to learn to read.

Chairman Alison Weekes said: “Please come and join us for a drink and a chat on August 30. So far we have only taught a handful of people but we know, statistically, hundreds more in our town could do with our help. For one reason or another they never had the chance to learn properly and this handicaps every aspect of life, and can cause huge social problems.

“If you would like to help, but can’t come on that evening, please email us. We need intermediaries to help us find those who are too shy to find us themselves. They won’t read our leaflets or posters.”

The Read Easy Wellington awareness event is at Odette’s tearoom from 6pm on Thursday, August 30.

For further information contact [email protected]