Literacy help for adults with learning disabilities in Jersey

Groups of six students are attending the courses two evenings a week

Adults with learning disabilities are learning to read and write in Jersey thanks to money from the government's Covid recovery fund.

Courses have been on offer at Highlands College since the Autumn of 2022.

They started after a number of people with learning disabilities expressed an interest in widening their skills.

Highlands College worked with the Health and Community Services (HCS) Learning Disability Service to set up the courses.

Now groups of six are taking part in the classes two evenings a week.

The foundation learning coordinator at Highlands, Helen O'Connell, said: "Everybody needs different types of support depending what it is they're trying to learn.

"Some really wanted to write their own Christmas cards and you cannot believe how important such things are to everybody to have that independence to write something simple as a birthday card."

Royston Le Corre said the courses have improved his confidence

One of the students, Royston Le Corre, said: "I like the people, I like the company - I'm making lots of friends.

"It gives me a lift.

"I'm watching TV, trying to learn the lessons, read the writing - it gives me loads of confidence.

"I've improved quite a lot"

Mr Corre added he loved puzzles and had made his own featuring the Queen and the Queen Mother.

Organisers hope there will be another session soon, so more students will be able to take part.