Welcome to Hartlepool's Literacy Boost
Many people find it hard to read letters, fill in forms or help their children with homework. We want to change that.
Hartlepool’s Literacy Boost brings together local businesses, charities, schools and colleges to help people build their reading, writing, spelling and number skills.
These skills can help you:
- manage everyday tasks
- apply for jobs
- stay healthy
- feel more confident
We support anyone aged 16 and over. Our goal is to make sure everyone in Hartlepool gets the help they need to improve their skills.
Here are three things you can do right now to help boost your skills.
Literacy for Life courses
Our Literacy for Life courses are free and designed to help you build confidence with everyday reading, writing and numbers.
We cover:
- reading, writing, and spelling
- numbers and money
- making sense of letters
- writing letters, emails and texts
- reading restaurant menus
- budgeting and cooking
It doesn’t matter if school wasn’t for you or if you left a long time ago. Our courses are flexible and welcoming. Tutors are friendly, patient and here to support you.
There are no lost causes, and it’s free!
Booking is required.
Book your place by email
Book your place by telephone
Join the library
If you love to read books, or even if you don’t. We have something for everyone! Fancy something easy to read or a shorter story? We have Quick Reads books.
We also have eBooks, magazines, and audio books. Plus online subscription services you can access on library computers, too.
There are five libraries in Hartlepool:
- Seaton Carew Community Hub
- Community Hub Central
- Community Hub South
- Headland Library
- Throston Grange Library
Reading Ahead groups
This new group is for budding readers. It is also for those who want to boost their reading, language and literacy skills.
A small, friendly and informal group, meeting every two weeks, on Thursday afternoons.
Everyone will get support to read a short book together.
As your skills boost, you feel more confident. You can progress to read six items on your own. This can be books, magazines or newspapers. You choose!
Just make a note in your reading diary. Get a certificate of success when you finish your diary.
Booking is required.