One in six adults struggle to read and understand information, while one in four face difficulties with basic maths. And so, with International Literacy Day occurring on September 8th last, An Post has launched a new initiative called ‘Unlocking Life’, which aims to support those who struggle with unmet literacy needs.
Working with their partners in literacy, the campaign aims to raise awareness of reading and writing needs among adults and children.
An Post will partner with the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI), Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), Children’s Books Ireland and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
The An Post ‘Unlocking Life’ will have both a child and an adult stream of activity. As part of the children’s stream, An Post is partnering with BITCI as the headline sponsor of their ‘Time to Read & Time to Count’ programmes. An Post staff will volunteer in local schools, providing paired-reading sessions and support to help unlock the potential of disadvantaged children. The An Post ‘Time to Count’ numeracy support programme will improve children’s confidence and enjoyment of numbers through playing specifically selected board games, while the An Post ‘Time to Read’ programme will pair An Post staff with a student reading buddy for reading sessions, using a range of books to improve students literacy through enjoyment.
A separate BITCI Student Mentoring Programme will pair An Post staff with post-primary, senior cycle students for monthly one-to-one mentoring sessions at An Post premises’.
