Management team members are urgently needed to ensure the operation can continue

Honiton’s ReadEasy group has issued an urgent appeal for volunteers to join its management team.

Without new recruits, it says it will struggle to keep the operation going.

ReadEasy provides free, one-to-one coaching services for adults who are unable to read.

It relies entirely on volunteers, both to provide the coaching and to manage the day-to-day operation.

It has sufficient funds and enough coaches to provide the service, but the problem is in filling key vacancies in the management committee.

It is currently short of a secretary and, more importantly, a co-ordinator, and if these vacancies are not filled soon the group will have to consider how it can continue to operate.

Chairman Colin Sherwood said: “It will be a huge shame if, in the worst case scenario, we are unable to continue, as many people have been helped to read using our coaches and we know there are very many more within the community who would also benefit from what we do.

“But without someone to co-ordinate the activities we will struggle to organise the sessions and everything that entails, and to maintain the administrative side of the operation.

“We are currently looking at how these duties can be divided to enable a form of job-share between two or even three individuals, so we would really welcome anyone who might have the skills and time to take on some of these responsibilities.”

The co-ordinator’s duties mostly revolve around recruiting volunteers and readers, and matching new readers to an appropriate coach.

He/she will also run occasional meetings of the coaches and provide occasional support to readers to ensure they are progressing satisfactorily, as well as maintaining necessary records and arranging training.

Colin explained that the total amount of work involved would take up about two days a week, but if they can recruit more than one volunteer they can divide the duties to make the role more manageable. He said it would very much suit someone who had time on their hands, wanted to do some charity work and had experience of that type of role.

The secretary’s role is less demanding in that they have to take minutes of meetings, distribute the minutes and agendas and deal with any correspondence and enquiries, which are minimal.

If you think you might be able to help this very worthy cause then you can contact Colin on 01404 42130 or by email through c.j.sherwood@btinternet.com