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The East Midlands Reading Group project has set up 688 reading groups and has created 7,000 confident readers. This remarkable achievement will be awarded with an Opening Doors to Adult Learners Award for the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE), as part of Adult Learners’ Week which runs between 17–23 May 2008.
In addition to the new reading groups and thousands of readers, the group has also created a new batch of storytellers. The libraries’ storytelling project works with people who might not normally go to the library. “Reading doesn’t have to be books,” says Priscilla Baily, the reader development officer at Derbyshire County Council and Regional Reading Group project co-ordinator at MLA East Midlands. “I feel very strongly that this project is not about getting certificates.” This is about telling stories and gaining confidence. “A library can be the catalyst for changing people’s lives.”
One storytelling group has been set up for residents in sheltered accommodation; another for women seeking refuge from domestic problems; another for people with learning disabilities. For many of the members of these excluded groups, storytelling can be therapeutic. “To tell your own story takes a lot of trust,” Priscilla says.
The broader reading group project includes is more conventional. Paddy Fagan, 64, joined when he retired. As a young man in the Navy he had been a keen reader, but he dropped out of the habit while working as a post office manager. Then a friend invited him to a reading group and he was hooked. “I decided to go along because I was a lapsed reader,” he says. “Now I’m reading books, on top of the books we read in the group.” In particular, having the chance to meet a published author through the group has changed the way he appreciates books.
David Lammy, Minister for Skills, said, “I never fail to be inspired by the stories I hear about learner’s achievements. The East Midlands Reading Group's hard work confirms my belief that improving your skills can be a life changing experience."
He continued, "The benefits better skills bring to learners and those around them are wide-ranging. On the personal level people become more confident and have higher self–esteem, and individuals can develop better job prospects. More widely this can lead to parents being better able to help their children with homework and learner’s employers becoming more competitive. Any adults wanting to improve their skills can call 0800 100 900 and find out about the courses in their local area.”
Rachel Thomson, Senior Campaigns Officer at NIACE, said, "In spite of the fact this is the 17th annual Adult Learners' Week we continue to be amazed by the quality of the nominations we have received. The East Midlands Reading Group's story is an indication of how learning can transform lives completely. All of this year's winners have shown a huge commitment, passion and creativity throughout their learning journeys. Their achievements are all the more inspiring due to the challenges they have overcome and they fully deserve to be recognised as outstanding and inspirational adult learners."
For more information on this pioneering project, contact Priscilla Baily at MLA East Midlands.
More details of all tha national winners are available from the NIACE website.
