There are 13,000 adults in Ealing who struggle to read, according to newly formed group Read Easy Ealing.

The voluntary group is hoping to tackle this number, with the vision that all adults in Ealing can have the literacy skills they need to live life to the full.

Established in May last year, Read Easy Ealing provide free, one-to-one reading lessons for people in the borough.

Latest figures in 2012 from the National Literacy Trust recorded that 1 in 6 (16.4%) adults in England have very poor literacy skills.

Lizzie Pencavel, who has been volunteering as publicity officer with Read Easy Ealing since it started, said the numbers can be a shock, and believes the figures have only got worse.

"It's quite surprising how many people can't read," said Lizzie, who has a full-time job in marketing.

"Literacy in the UK is getting worse rather than better and a lot of this is to do with failing education, it's not all about people learning a second language.

"There are lots of different levels of reading and some people have very basic skills, we concentrate on how massively that can affect your life.

"For example, if you can't read you can't drive because of the theory test, or get certain jobs.

"So, what we're offering is not just reading, it's an opportunity to progress their skills, jobs and lives."

Even down to doing your shopping, some own-brand products only have words on them making it difficult to understand labels in supermarkets.

"There are all these things you just don't think about. We (as readers) are privileged."

Presenter of The Repair Shop, Jay Blades, brought the topic into public light last year when he opened-up about learning to read at the age of 51.

Throughout his life he had found ways of avoiding the written word and his struggle will be addressed in depth for a TV show later this month on BBC One.

The BBC reported that recent findings suggest a quarter of all children in England leave primary school, like Blades, unable to read to the expected level.

Charities such as Read Easy Ealing are tackling this issue and bringing it into public consciousness, for example they have just launched a year-long campaign called #ILoveToRead to raise awareness about adult illiteracy and the work they do in the community.

They held a successful official launch event in September with some 75-80 attendees and are currently looking for suitable venues in quiet, public spaces in the borough where they could host two 30-minute coaching sessions per week.

Anyone who may know someone struggling to read is encouraged to get in touch, as they are always on the lookout for more readers. Contact coordinator Jeff Brown at [email protected] or call 07546 307 577.

Read Easy groups are financially independent from Read Easy UK, and are responsible for raising all the money needed to keep their group going.

If you would like to support their work or find out more about what they do, visit their website.