Get Slough Reading Monday, June 18, 2012 - 17:13

As part of its work to encourage adults to read for pleasure, NIACE is delighted to have worked in partnership with Slough Borough Council and MARS in the Community to support the Get Slough Reading campaign. On Tuesday 19 June, MARS donated Quick Reads books to NIACE members in a range of community settings to encourage the people of Slough to take up or improve their reading.

Sue Southwood, Programme Manager at NIACE, said:

"The message that Get Slough Reading will be getting across is about how reading has many benefits; it keeps your mind active, widens your vocabulary, increases your knowledge and can help you to relax. But there are many adults who lack the confidence to pick up a book. An estimated 5.1 million adults aged 16-65 have difficulties with everyday reading and writing, according the latest government survey in England carried out last year. Quick Reads are short books using clear language and their accessibility means they can play a key role in getting adults reading. Many thousands of adults across the country have used Quick Reads to help improve their skills, but this is the first time that so much focus has been given to one town. It's great when big local employers put so much back into their communities and we hope that other employers will follow the example of Slough Borough Council and MARS in the Community."

Adults who live or work in Slough were encouraged to pick up a Quick Reads book to read and then pass it onto someone they know or return it to where they found it or to their local library for others to try.

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