Turning Pages reading manuals

Turning Pages is a fresh, easy way for adults to learn to read, at their own pace.

The manuals can be used one to one with a friend, family member or other mentor, regardless of age, gender or ethnicity.

Jen’s story

Turning Pages is changing lives like Jen’s. Aged 30 and with 5 children, she’d been embarrassed all her life by not being able to read. Jen overcame her concerns through learning with Turning Pages, and is now looking forward to reading with her children and ‘seeing them smile’.

Learning to read is a brilliant thing, it...

  • helps people positively change their lives
  • is a gateway to new possibilities
  • helps create and nurture relationships
  • can bring joy, as well as helping people 'get by'

Co-created by literacy specialists for, and with, adult learners, Turning Pages has been used by thousands of learners since its launch in June 2015.

An academic review by Birmingham City University has shown its effectiveness in helping adults become readers, even if they've never read a word before.

How Turning Pages works

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Turning Pages is a set of 5 friendly, structured manuals that use a synthetic phonics approach.

Usually a person who can read (the mentor or reading coach) works through the Turning Pages manuals with a person who wants to learn to read (the learner).

No specialist training is needed to be a mentor or reading coach; they just need regular, short amounts of time to spend with their learner. Plus learning can take place anytime and anywhere to fit in with everyday life.

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Learners build and practise their skills working through a range of different activities. There are 3 progress checks built into each manual, so learners and mentors can be confident the new skills have been embedded. As these progress checks are completed, Turning Pages reading books become available. These have been written to match the reading skills learners have covered, so there's the chance to put their new skills into action and they can experience the joy of reading for pleasure from early on.

For UK orders greater than £250, we offer a discount of 15% off our list prices – just enter the code DISCOUNT15 at checkout.

If you spend more than £1,000, you’re eligible for a discount of 20% – enter the code DISCOUNT20 at checkout.

Existing partnership agreements with community organisations and prisons include the provision of Turning Pages manuals.
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If you have any questions, email communications@shannontrust.org.uk or call us on 0203 7645 250

Order from our online shop

If you're ordering from outside the UK, or want to discuss planning a wholesale order, please get in touch so we can talk more about your specific requirements.

Get in touch
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Turning Pages works because...

  • anyone who can read can support someone who wants to learn one to one
  • a learner can choose their own pace and there are no exams
  • learners see a real difference in their skills, often very quickly
  • learning is kept interesting through a range of interactive activities
  • progress checks encourage learners, and reading for pleasure is introduced early

Free resources

Turning Pages is a standalone resource, but we have some free resources to complement the reading manuals.

Print outs
Certificates
Audio
The first book was basic and good, Shannon Trust gives good foundations in reading and English. I’ve spent years in education but this has been far more beneficial in a short period of time.

The first book was basic and good, Shannon Trust gives good foundations in reading and English. I’ve spent years in education but this has been far more beneficial in a short period of time.

Shannon Trust learner
I get a real sense of pride knowing the positive impact I am having on someone’s life, and I hope when I leave prison I am able to help more adults who struggle with reading and writing.

I get a real sense of pride knowing the positive impact I am having on someone’s life, and I hope when I leave prison I am able to help more adults who struggle with reading and writing.

Shannon Trust mentor
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
A learner and mentor going through one of the Turning Pages manuals

In prison

A family visiting their loved one in prison, with the children drawing

In communities

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