Our work in communities

16% of adults in the community struggle to read.

Shannon Trust has partnered with a number of services in the community to help them learn through our Turning Pages manuals, the help of volunteer reading coaches and self study resources. The programme is tailored to the learner, and is run in the way which works best for them. Our community work also means people who have taken part in our programmes in prison can continue upon release.

How it works

Stack of book with person reading behind them

The programme is run in services, supported by Shannon Trust staff and volunteers

  • Partner organisations have volunteer reading coaches, who are trained by Shannon Trust
  • Reading coaches work on a one to one basis with their learner in short, regular sessions
  • Learners set their own goals, go at their own pace, and take breaks as they need to, plus there are no exams and no classrooms
  • The programme is free to all learners. They can choose between one to one learning with a reading coach, or self study through a variety of resources
  • Resources include our unique, evidence based Turning Pages reading manuals

The benefits

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Not being able to read affects more people than you think, yet learning can be a powerful springboard into so many other opportunities. It can:

  • make day to day life easier and safer for the learner and those around them
  • help learners better engage with support services
  • break the cycle of low literacy which often runs in families 
  • be the first step into further learning and employment
  • reduce reoffending and improve communities

We believe everyone deserves another chance and has the potential to create a positive future in which they can thrive.

Work with us

If your organisation would like to discuss partnering with us to make this support available to your clients, please get in touch.

Partner with us
I am now more involved with my children, making me a better parent. My relationships with friends and family are now more intimate. I can express myself honestly as I don’t have to rely on others.

I am now more involved with my children, making me a better parent. My relationships with friends and family are now more intimate. I can express myself honestly as I don’t have to rely on others.

Shannon Trust learner
I’m proud of myself. I’ve achieved things I never thought I would because I doubted my ability, but I’ve found out I’m smarter than I thought.

I’m proud of myself. I’ve achieved things I never thought I would because I doubted my ability, but I’ve found out I’m smarter than I thought.

Shannon Trust learner
It has made a big impact on my life because being able to read has made things more possible for me. I can now apply for jobs, college and my driving test.

It has made a big impact on my life because being able to read has made things more possible for me. I can now apply for jobs, college and my driving test.

Shannon Trust learner
If my grandmother was still alive she would be so proud that I’ve done this. I know she would say ‘I told you, you’re never too old to learn’ and learning to read at 33 years of age proves just that.

If my grandmother was still alive she would be so proud that I’ve done this. I know she would say ‘I told you, you’re never too old to learn’ and learning to read at 33 years of age proves just that.

Shannon Trust learner
Aerial view of a learner and mentor going to one of the Turning Pages manuals

Volunteer with us

A mentor helping a learner through one of the Turning Pages manuals

About Shannon Trust

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Charity number 1117249