We believe in rehabilitation and know that for many, learning to read and understanding basic numeracy plays a key role. It has a transformative impact on the life of the individual and those around them, which in turn can lead to reduced reoffending and a better society.
We have made real progress in tackling low literacy and low numeracy, inside and outside of prisons. Our dedicated staff team and volunteers continue to develop our organisation and that is showing through the significant increase in the number of mentors we train, and the learners they support.
We are delivering on what we set out to do in our 2022 to 2024 organisational strategy and we are starting the see the real difference we are making. However, we recognise we still have so much more to do to make sure nobody is left out of learning.
It is with the support of our volunteers, staff and partners, supporters, donors and grant funders, that we can continue to reach thousands of learners and mentors year on year.
We work in all prisons across England, Wales and Northern Ireland and support thousands of learners and mentors every year to transform their lives.
Learning to read has immediate benefits for learners:
Improves family relationships including with children – learners have reported they feel like better parents being able to read and write to their children
Makes day to day life easier and safer for the learner and those around them
Helps to break the cycle of low literacy and numeracy, which runs in families
Offers people better opportunities – including education and employment – providing a brighter outlook for the future
Helping people learn to read and understand basic numeracy builds better communities.
According to the Winter 2024 Bromley Briefings, the annual total economic and social cost of reoffending is £18.1 billion. This report states that engagement with education can significantly reduce reoffending, and that family contact can also help address the causes of reoffending on release.
Shannon Trust’s work addresses both of these key aspects of rehabilitation – providing learners with access to education opportunities, and facilitating better communication with their families through letters. It’s not just the learner that benefits from learning to read, it affects all of society.
With your support, we can help people learn to read, access education and training opportunities, build relationships with their families, and have more hope for the future.
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