One of my earliest memories is of my mother reading to me, the world opening before me as I realised there was a connection between the words she was speaking and the funny squiggles on the page.
This began a lifelong love of written language, both in my work and leisure time, and one that I have shared with my own children.
But when you take this ability for granted, it’s easy to forget just how difficult reading and writing can be for many people.
With International Literacy Day on September 8, the time is ideal for anyone who needs help with their literacy to reach out to the many local agencies that offer support.
Central to this is the Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) strategy, which aims to ensure that everyone feels included and enabled to participate fully in society.
Laois and Offaly Regional Literacy Coalition – working for our region
The ten-year ALL strategy is underpinned by the goal of creating an Ireland where every adult has the necessary literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy to fully engage in society and realise their potential.
Literacy is a human right that allows us to engage effectively with others, access public services, understand and act on new information, and use technology.
“We know literacy is a form of power. So let us empower everyone in Ireland to be their best possible selves,” said Simon Harris, then Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, launching the strategy.
The Laois and Offaly Regional Literacy Coalition’s role is to embed the work of the National ALL Strategy.
The coalition is led by Eileen Dunne, LOETB Inclusion Manager, as chairperson, with Louise Larkin, SICAP Manager with Offaly Local Development Company, as vice chair, and Tamara Latham, LOETB Regional Literacy Coordinator, as secretary.
17 other local organisations and agencies across the community, family, and health sectors, all of whom are committed to the work of the ALL strategy, form the coalition.
The aim is to create pathways and supports that ensure all members of society feel included and empowered.
Local initiatives supporting Adult Literacy for Life
To promote the coalition’s work and the implementation of ALL, two community events were hosted recently across Laois and Offaly.
These events strengthened the cross-county bonds working within communities to highlight the variety of supports available in education, community, finance, health, family and more.
Jam-packed afternoons of fun were had at community summer events in Kilnacourt in Portarlington and St Columba’s in Tullamore, which drew the crowds for an array of tasty treats and cookery demonstrations, a robotics demonstration, fun games for adults and children, story time sessions with the libraries, and health information and screening by the HSE.
Jeca the Clown brought smiles to the faces of the young participants, who also got the chance to see the workings of an operational fire truck, thanks to the attendance of the Fire Brigade, and the Community Guards also jumped onboard for tug of war. All activities were fun, educational, and informative.
Going forward, the ALL Strategy and the Laois and Offaly Regional Literacy Coalition will continue to strive to support our local communities, by creating pathways to access supports, making it easier for those with unmet literacy needs to take the next step.
If you would like help with your reading or writing, or to get further information on how you can get involved, contact your local Adult Learning Centre, Laois 057 866 1338, Offaly 057 934 9444, or get in touch with your Regional Literacy Coordinator for LOETB on 085 856 0160, email tlatham@loetb.ie.
PR Contacts Tamara Latham: 085 856 0160 –tlatham@loetb.ie Laois and Offaly Regional Literacy coalition membership
Among the member organisations of the coalition are:
- Healthy Laois,
- Laois and Offaly County Librarians,
- Laois Traveller Action Group and the Offaly Traveller Movement,
- Turas Nua,
- Employability Midlands,
- Portlaoise Family Resource Centre,
- Home School Community Liaisons in Mountmellick and Tullamore,
- HSE,
- Children and Young People’s Services Committees CYPSY,
- Department of Social Protection, Offaly Public Participation Network,
- Money Advice and Budgeting MABS, Citizens Information,
- Laois Partnership,
- Department of Social Protection,
- Ballycommon Training Centre.
The various agencies aim to promote the use of plain language in their communications, upskilling staff in literacy awareness and removing and identifying literacy related barriers.
Through the regional coalition action plan and working with stakeholders, they are shaping the support landscape of Laois and Offaly, jointly championing adult literacy and expanding the pathways for learners.
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