A new group is being launched in Honiton to help adults to improve their reading skills.

Read Easy is looking for volunteers to get involved by becoming reading coaches and any adults interested in improving their reading skills are invited to come forward.

A public meeting is being held at The Beehive, Dowell Street, on Monday, July 14, starting at 6pm.

A spokesman for Read Easy said: “Being able to read is something most of us take for granted. We think nothing of reading signposts when we’re driving, labels in the supermarket or the TV guide when we’re relaxing in the evening. It’s easy to forget that some of us aren’t so lucky.

“One in 20 adults have the reading level expected of a five-year-old. They may be adept at hiding it, saying they’ve forgotten their glasses or that forms are too confusing, but low levels of literacy can make everyday tasks a struggle.

“Read Easy aims to change people’s lives by helping them learn to read. It’s a charitable organisation that offers free, local one-to-one coaching to adults who want to improve their reading.”

It was set up in 2010 and has been expanding into areas across Devon and Dorset, including Axminster and Seaton.

As part of the scheme, adults who want to improve their reading skills are matched to volunteers by a Read Easy co-ordinator. The coaching is confidential and there are no classes with other readers.

The spokesman added: “Readers learn at their own time and pace, at an approved venue, using a phonics-based reading manual that has been designed specifically for adult learners.

“Improving your reading skills opens up many opportunities, especially as the internet is now used for a wider range of functions – navigating web pages is difficult if you can’t read very well.”

Local volunteers attend training sessions before being paired with a reader and receive continued support from their co-ordinator. They meet up for half-an-hour a week with their reader.

Read Easy’s Axminster and Seaton branch is running with a full management committee and Honiton is seeking individuals to form its own as well as a new co-ordinator to help with the scheme.

Anybody interested in volunteering or improving their reading skills call David Bibby on 07545 960 443.