91Èȱ¬

Twelve million adults in Britain currently find reading and writing a big turn-off because they're not that confident at it.

RaW is a nationwide 91Èȱ¬ campaign to 'turn on' such people to the message that improving their English skills can change their life for the better - it's called RaW because it's about Reading and Writing and unlocking your raw potential.

All that might sound a bit serious - but RaW isn't just the biggest adult literacy campaign the 91Èȱ¬ has ever undertaken, it's the first to have entertainment at its heart - with a website packed with quizzes, puzzles and info on how to improve your skills and a host of popular shows from Test the Nation and Star Spell to EastEnders joining in too.

And in Gloucestershire we've recruited Cirencester-based wizard of word play Marcus Moore to spearhead the mission and spread the message that RaW is about ENJOYING the magic of the English language as you boost your word power.

Or as the writer, performance poet and former teacher puts it in his own words:

Reading is freedom
Writing's exciting
That’s why the 91Èȱ¬ has started inviting
Everyone to take part in this thing called RaW
Quizzes, books, letters – and a whole lot more!

He adds: "Children love to play - and so do adults, if they'll only admit it - so having fun is the best way to learn new skills. "

The 91Èȱ¬ Learning Centre, libraries, colleges and adult education centres all over Gloucestershire are taking part in RaW and running fun activities like quiz nights as well as free courses to help anyone interested in boosting their English skills.

Marcus Moore's first public appearance as Gloucestershire's RaW Ambassador will be at two Word Magic family fun days at the 91Èȱ¬ Learning Centre on October 8 and October 15.

Hundreds of people across the county have already boosted their confidence at communication in RaW Stories workshops with 91Èȱ¬ Radio Gloucestershire's Simon Williams.

Link - Get Skillswise at the 91Èȱ¬ Learning Centre: