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The Literacy and Social Inclusion Project looked at
different approaches to helping adults with poor literacy
feel motivated and empowered to improve their skills.
It also looked at ways of working with adults from particular
groups 'at risk', such as those in prison or on probation.
Now that the project is over, this page links mainly
to sections of the Adults
area of the website that are particularly relevant to
social inclusion.
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Adults who cannot read and write well find that the jobs available
to them are limited and, even if they are currently in work,
they are more vulnerable to periods of unemployment. The consequences
of poor literacy are not just economic: it can also be a major
drawback when trying to access local services or participating
in local communities, and longitudinal studies show that there
is a strong correlation between poor adult basic skills and
criminal behaviour. There is also an intergenerational effect.
Adults with poor reading and writing skills very often have
low self-esteem and are less confident about sharing stories
with their children or supporting their learning. Consequently,
their children are less likely to become confident literacy
learners themselves.
With the high-profile Get On gremlins campaign, more courses
available, plus the spread of information technology providing
access to online learning programmes - for example, learndirect,
BBC Skillswise and brush-up courses such as Move On - adults
of all ages are now taking up the opportunity to improve their
basic skills, with many going on to acquire nationally-recognised
qualifications. But others still find it difficult - perhaps
because of other pressing problems - or do not see the need
to take action.
For adult basic skills information and general education
courses available in your area call the learndirect helpline
on 0800 100 900 (this covers general courses, not just
learndirect ones).
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