David Redden

📖𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻🖊️ A major drive to boost adult literacy and unlock people’s potential is underway in Hartlepool. Hartlepool Borough Council says there is an urgent need for action, with statistics showing that a third of the borough’s adult population aged 16+ is classed as functionally illiterate. Councillor Pamela Hargreaves, Chair of the Council’s Economic Growth and Regeneration Committee, said: “It really brings it home when you think about things like medicine bottles and people not being able to read the instructions for giving their children medicine. “Bringing about positive change is vital if Hartlepool and its residents are to thrive. Boosting literacy levels requires a long-term, multi-agency approach and as a Council we are committed to leading this process. “Although change won’t happen overnight, this co-ordinated approach gives us the best chance of success and I would urge local businesses, education providers, the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sectors and wider Hartlepool networks and organisations to come forward and get involved.” Without literacy, the Council says, people can become trapped in a cycle of poverty with limited life opportunities. People with poor literacy skills can also struggle to cope with a range of day-to-day tasks, including helping their children with homework, understanding official letters, reading labels on medication and filling out job or benefit applications. As a result, they often experience social isolation, stigma and exclusion. The Economic Growth and Regeneration Committee met recently to consider a report on adult literacy and agreed a series of measures, including: ⚫Developing a literacy strategy setting out the Council’s ambition for every resident, regardless of their age. ⚫Holding a Literacy Summit to bring together all interested parties. ⚫The creation of a borough-wide literacy action plan. ⚫Appointing Literacy Champions in each Council department to tackle the barriers people with poor literacy face, including the readability of Council information aimed at the public.