Bolton College is aiming to create a new group of ‘book worms’ this year, by launching a number of initiatives to encourage adults to read.
Adult learners, parents and grandparents in Bolton are invited to join the free reading group – at the Brownlow Fold Community Learning Centre – which will run every Monday, from 18 February 2013, for five weeks.
Learners will also be encouraged to take part in the Six Book Challenge – a national reading initiative aimed at encouraging adults to read for pleasure and increase their confidence in literacy.
The challenge enters its sixth year and the bar has been set high, as 125 eager page-turners from Bolton College took part last year – resulting in a silver award for the College, at the national Six Book Challenge ceremony.
Kath Morgan, co-ordinator of the Six Book Challenge at Bolton College, said: “The initiative is a great opportunity to encourage reading amongst adults. Many who take part have not read for a number of years and some have never read a book in their lives before.
“It was extremely rewarding to see so many adults participating last year. As a result, the students improved their literacy skills, increased their confidence and actually developed a love for reading. It’s also a great way for parents to get into reading, to support their children. I hope that the 2013 challenge will encourage even more local adults to take part.”
Bolton College student and Six Book Challenge 2012 participant, Jillian Leader, said: “Taking part in the challenge last year really helped me with my English skills. I’m also a much more confident reader. I’ve got so much out of the challenge, it’s definitely changed my life for the better.”
The free reading group and Six Book Challenge sessions will run from 9.15am till 11.30am, every Monday, for five weeks, from 18 February.
