Local Read Easy group Co-op Funeralcare donation

A local branch of Co-operative Funeralcare has donated a new set of books to Read Easy Gillingham and Shaftesbury, which helps adults who struggle with reading. Funeral professionals at Co-operative Funeralcare in Shaftesbury, have been regularly supporting Read Easy Gillingham and Shaftesbury through the use of their conference room. The funeral director was said to be “so impressed” by the work of the local group that they have also donated £200 to buy a new set of reading manuals. Read Easy is a not-for-profit organisation that recruits, trains and supports volunteers to give free one-to-one help to adults who find reading difficult for any reason. The local project covers Shaftesbury, Gillingham, Wincanton, Sherborne and the surrounding villages. Co-ordinator for the local group, Jenny Pope, said: "It is estimated that one in six adults in the UK struggles, or lacks confidence, with reading. Read Easy is flexible and confidential to learn at your own pace with a volunteer coach to help. Currently we have 24 adults enrolled with two more starting soon. "The recent donation has been used to buy one complete set of reading manuals and books as well as two books of worksheets used for improving reading and writing fluency a total of 37 books altogether - this is so much appreciated, thank you very much to our friends at Southern Co-op." The Shaftesbury funeral branch, part of the regional, independent co-operative Southern Co-op, has also inspired their sister branch in Gillingham to provide a meeting point for the group. Suzanne Smith, Southern Co-op's funeral coordinator in Shaftesbury, added: "Local groups like this make such a difference to our community. The impact that the volunteers have on people's lives is invaluable. We are proud to support them." The donation was made as part of Southern Co-op's community engagement programme ‘Love Your Neighbourhood'. This initiative addresses four key social themes - promoting greener, healthier, safer, and more inclusive neighbourhoods.