Word Matters
Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 5 Live's Word Matters project is a special season of programmes and events looking at adult literacy.
It’s estimated that nine million adults in the UK find doing things like filling out forms, writing birthday cards or reading bedtime stories a real challenge.
Through the project, 5 Live wants to celebrate the power of words and hold the biggest conversation around adult literacy in the UK.
Your stories
Listeners and celebrities have been telling 5 Live about their challenges with literacy. Hear more stories here.
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'If I can do it, anyone can’
HMP Bronzefield inmates Mia and Lorraine speak about their education in prison.
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'I can't read or write, but I can cook'
Professionals describe how it feels to struggle with reading and writing at work.
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Low level literacy: ‘You've got to step out of your comfort zone’
Sam, Karen and Craig have found reading and writing a challenge during their life. They share how it has affected their everyday lives.
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'My journey proves there is life after prison’
Author and poet Lady Unchained says how writing became an outlet for expressing her feelings whilst in prison.
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'Reading took me to another world'
Singer-songwriter Anne-Marie describes how therapy led her to start reading again.
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'I got bullied for trying to read a newspaper'
Former TOWIE star Tommy Mallet says an ex-colleague mocked him for trying to read a newspaper.
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'I just needed a little more time, a little more attention'
Reality TV star Tanya Bardsley opens up about her own struggles with dyslexia and how she used to be 'terrified' of reading.
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Jay Blades: Dyslexia has given me 'other qualities'
The Repair Shop presenter Jay Blades talks about why he celebrates his reading struggles.
The Read Out Loud challenge
As part of Word Matters, 5 Live asked people to send in videos of themselves reading out loud some words which really matter to them.
Research shows that reading out loud can improve memory, bring communities together and help build confidence.
Listeners, celebrities and presenters joined in and the words have ranged from a school motto to a message from a neighbour.
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Neighbour’s message ‘inspired me’ in lockdown
DJ Spoony reads out a note from a neighbour that inspired him in lockdown.
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'I'm no longer bottom of the class'
A bus driver shares a letter he had written to thank Nicola, the woman who helped him improve his reading and writing skills as an adult.
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‘The world needs more dyslexic thinking’
Sir Richard Branson describes how a quote from Albert Einstein inspired him and the story behind Virgin
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'She died too young'
Listener Paul Hillier reads out loud a poem written by his late wife before she passed away.
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Message about ADHD made me feel ‘so good’
Reality star Tanya Bardsley wells up as she read out loud a message she received after sharing her ADHD diagnosis.
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'We're Exeter, we're red and white, we speak together openly'
Hundreds of Exeter City fans read out a poem written by club poet, Rob Casey
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‘To our hero daddy, Rob’
Retired rugby league star Rob Burrow, who has Motor Neurone Disease, hears a moving message from his family.
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'I will still achieve everything for you three boys'
Jade reads out loud an emotional letter she wrote for her three sons.
