Living with adult illiteracy: 'I was ashamed of telling people that I couldn't read or write'

Steve Scovell, 56, who spent most of his adult life struggling to read and write ITV News Anglia
Credit: PA

A man who painstakingly tried to hide that he struggled with illiteracy has bravely shared how he overcame shame and learned to read and write.

Steve Scovell, 56, spent most of his adult life struggling with the secret he kept hidden from his friends.

Steve said: ''I think you sort of hide it, because you're ashamed of telling people that you can't read or write. You avoid reading menus - and when you go to the pub you order the same food every time because you know what you want. You try to avoid it really.''

There are calls for more adults to be given the chance to learn to read again, as figures show that around one in ten working aged adults in our region have the reading skills of a seven-year-old.

  • Steve Scovell talking to ITV Reporter Katharine Walker

Figures from non-profit consultancy Pro Bono Economics reveal that around 16% percent of adults in England have very poor literacy skills, which could affect their job and pay prospects.

In the East of England 12% of working age adults live with very poor literacy skills.

Adults with poor literacy have limited vocabulary and can't read lengthy texts on unfamiliar topics.

This means they find it harder to do things that most of us take for granted - like filling out a job application.

The study from Pro Bono Economics estimates that around four million workers could receive an estimated £6bn national pay rise if their literacy skills improved.

Career Development Consultant Arit Eminue explained: ''Your reading and writing skills can have a huge impact on your pay and your job prospects, professionally and personally.

"Research shows that the average worker in the UK with very poor literacy skills will earn £1,500 less per year over the course of their lifetime."

  • Michelle Baker, Read Easy Regional Advisor

Luckily, help is available from the charity Read Easy - who offer support for adults who want to improve their reading and writing skills. 

Michelle Baker, Read Easy Regional Advisor, explained:  ''We want to break the stigma. We want people to say it's okay that I can't read. We want people to put their hand up, pick up a phone and learn to read, because they will benefit in every aspect of their life.''

Reading coach Lorna Paviour added: ''You can learn to read at any age. We've had people come to the charity in their eighties who want to read, and we also help young adults. So there's no age limit to when you can learn to read and people come at different points in their life.''

Learning to read at a later age can seem daunting, but it can also be life changing. Steve has now learned to read and has found a new job with higher pay and preferable hours.

Steve explained: ''It's changed my life. I don't rely on anybody any more, I've met people, my work, I've got loads of friends now, it's completely changed it. It's bringing tears to my eyes.''