Newly inspired readers recognised

June 7, 2016 by Southend Borough Council

Newly inspired readers recognised

Wednesday 8th June 2016

Scores of Southend people have won awards for successfully meeting the Reading Ahead Challenge 2016.

This national bid – previously called the Six Book Challenge – aims to encourage less confident readers and those who love to read but just haven’t had the time to do so for a while.

Participants have to read six things – including books, magazines, e-books, social media links to websites, poetry or newspapers and write a diary about what they read.

Around 150 people in Southend aged from 16 – 70 readily took the challenge, run locally in partnership with libraries, HMRC and Southend Adult Community College.

They reached their targets, completed their diaries and have now been invited to a special presentation to receive their certificates at The Forum Southend-on-Sea from 5pm on Wednesday 15th June.

Guests of honour will be the Worshipful the Mayor of Southend, Councillor Judith McMahon, and the Principal of Southend Community College, Sue Hasty.

Executive Councillor for Culture, Tourism and the Economy, Councillor Ann Holland said: “We are very pleased to celebrate the achievements of everyone involved in this excellent challenge. We hope it will help them feel much more positive about reading.

“As well as increasing their reading power, we believe it will also give them the confidence to build on their skills and tackle further challenges too.”

One in six adults struggle to read. More than 48,000 people took part in this campaign nationally last year when it was called the Six Book Challenge and 92 per cent said they had more confidence in their reading afterwards.

If you would like to take part in the next Reading Ahead Challenge starting later this year, please contact: Liz Allen on 01702 534123 or Lizallen@southend.gov.uk