It is never too late to learn how to read - charity

Special guests including Jake Humphreys will be attending the launch of the event in Norwich

A charity that says it is "never too late" to learn how to read is starting a new initiative.

Read Easy Norfolk wants people overcome any fears they have and provide a one-to-one volunteer coach to help them learn to read.

The scheme is being publicised at a ceremony at Norwich's main library in The Forum at 13:15 BST.

The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Norwich, James Wright, will formally launch the event alongside guest of honour Jake Humphrey, who is Deputy Lieutenant of Norfolk as well as a TV sports presenter.

The group was set up in Norfolk in 2022 with the focus on supporting adults with literacy issues across Norwich and Dereham.

There are 2.4 million adults in England who cannot read, or struggle to read.

According to the charity, they are five times more likely to be unemployed and said it is "never too late" to learn to read.

In April, the county's Lord Lieutenant, Lady Dannatt MBE, became the charity's patron.

She said the charity "reminds me of everything we are trying to push for in this wonderful country of ours, and for me to be able to champion a cause like this is fantastic".

"The incredible work of the Read Easy volunteers fits in with the ethos of everything we as a lieutenancy support, and I will certainly do what I can to spread the word," she said.

Humphrey told BBC Radio Norfolk that being unable to read would mean there were many simple things a person would be unable to do, including reading to their children and knowing what they were buying in a supermarket.

"Probably the single biggest impact is on their confidence - they don't want to talk about certain things because they haven't go the knowledge because they haven't been able to read," he said.

"It's a serious issue here in Norfolk, with 71,000 adults who aren't able to read to a level that would help them live their lives.

"Easy Read Norfolk are doing all they can to change those numbers."

The phonic-based approach involves sessions in person or online.

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