The Write Offs

[Enfys]

Did anyone see this programme on Tuesday? It was right after Bake Off and presented by Sandy Toksvig.

I found it really interesting, all about a group of people who could neither read very well or write. They were all at different levels, ranging from a reading age of a four year old to that of a 9/10 year old. All were given one to one help and we followed the, through their progress. As an avid reader I found it really hard to understand how these people had slipped through the net at school and could understand their frustration at not being able to read even simple words. One of them wanted to be able to write a letter to all the people who had helped him and it was very moving to see him at the end writing and reading his own words to his work mates. I am looking forward to the second and final episode to see how the others get on.

[Gemini]

I noticed it advertised Enfys, but didn't see it, as we watched a recording of Bake Off later that evening.

I will watch it.

[Plantaholic]

I would like to have seen that programme, I will try and find it on catch up.

[Nanto2girls]

I didn't see it either. I would have had to record it,or watch on catchup.
There is no way hubby would have watched it.

[Grauntie Mag]

Will watch on catch up Enfys.

[Daisy]

Enfys, yes, I watched it. The overwhelming thing that came out of it was how embarrassed they were at not having a functional skill that most of us take for granted, and how ingenious they were at hiding their illiteracy. The really sad part was all the people on the programme who had been dismissed as 'thick' at school - the one place where they should have been supported and helped.

Several times at College when I was interviewing new students parents asked to see me privately (we interviewed student without parents being present) and asked how they could get help with their own literacy problems. Even being able to ask for help was hard, and they felt trapped in a cycle of insurmountable problems.

If these programmes give even one person the confidence to ask for help they will be worth it. It's well worth watching.