Opening Doors Through Literacy
September 12, 2025Posted by:
At PeoplePlus, we believe that literacy is more than a skill, it’s a foundation for opportunity, confidence, and independence. Since signing the Vision for Literacy Business Pledge with the National Literacy Trust, we’ve continued to show our commitment to improving literacy for everyone, from all backgrounds.
As the UK’s largest provider of prison education, we see first-hand how tackling literacy barriers can change lives. From supporting people in custody to creating book nooks in our community offices, literacy runs through everything we do. It reflects our values: giving people the tools to thrive, strengthening communities, and helping create brighter futures.
One of the most effective tools we use in prisons is That Reading Thing (TRT), a phonics-based programme designed for adults. It helps people build confidence step by step, with age-appropriate materials that make progress feel achievable.
We’re proud to celebrate Literacy Week 2025 by sharing some stories of the fantastic progress our learners are making...
HMP Lincoln
Currently employed in the Tailors workshop, since consistently participating in regular TRT sessions, Learner A has taken on a mentoring role. As part of this, we have recently provided him with reading materials related to sewing machine maintenance to support his development.
HMP Chelmsford
Since enrolling on TRT, Learner B has made great progress in a very short space of time. They are already able, with just a little support, to spell and read longer words like fantastic. They also now have the determination and confidence to read whole sentences; they’re starting to get some self-belief and see themselves as a reader. They said, “I can’t believe what I can do now. Before, I didn’t know about sounds and all that. Now I feel proud because I can put them together and read more words.”
HMP Highpoint
Learner C progressed from Level 3 to Level 2 in just two months. They said, “I really want to get on with this now… because I know I can do it. I want to get that award thing (certificate) we talked about at the beginning.”
HMP Littlehey
Learner D, who speaks English as a second language, has recently made noticeable progress in phonics. Since joining education, they have worked consistently to improve reading and pronunciation skills. With regular support and targeted phonics sessions, the learner is now able to decode words more confidently and read aloud with greater fluency.
HMYOI Werrington
Over the past two months, Learner E has shown huge progress, going from not being able to read words longer than five letters to being able to read the word accomplishment by breaking down the smaller manageable words. His confidence and comprehension when reading has improved dramatically.
HMP Stocken
Learner F has reached the end of the Foundation Levels and was very proud of getting his certificate. He managed to read all the words correctly on his reading screener and has now started reading a book with his Learning Support Practitioner. After the first session of this, he was amazed and said that previously it would have taken him all day to read what he did in about 15 minutes.
These stories highlight why our Reading Specialists, Neurodiversity Specialists and Learning Support Practitioners are so vital. With their help, encouragement, and expertise, learners are achieving progress they once thought impossible.
And our commitment goes beyond the prison gates. From Great British Read book nooks in our community offices to celebrating the creativity of comics and graphic novels in More Than a Book Week, we’re helping people discover the joy of reading wherever they are. We’ve also asked our members to bring unwanted books to our next SRAG event in Newcastle on 8th October.
At PeoplePlus, literacy is never just about books. It’s about giving people the skills and confidence to move forward in life.
Every learner, every page, every step matters.
September 12, 2025Posted by:
