In this first episode of the new series we’re talking to Ian Merrill about Shannon Trust’s work supporting people in prison to learn to read. 57% or people in UK prisons struggle to or can’t read, this impacts an individual’s ability to communicate, contribute to society and participate in further education. Reoffending costs the UK an estimated £18.1 billion and adults released from prison have a proven reoffending rate of 39%. In addition to the impact learning to read can have on an individual’s confidence, self-esteem and communication it also has great potential to reduce reoffending. Join us to hear about these issues and to better understand the challenges of not being able to read in a world that runs on the written word.

Ian Merrill

Ian is CEO of Shannon Trust and has considerable experience of the charitable sector, in roles ranging from volunteer to CEO. His operational background is in substance misuse services, criminal justice, homelessness and mental health. Ian has held senior roles at national charities, and was previously CEO at Tempo, where he led the development of a social currency used to increase volunteering and social action across England and Wales.

Further reading

NPC Guide to Systems Change

Explanation of the Iceberg Model

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