Joelma da Silva (right) with her reading coach Claire
In March 2020, when the lockdown was announced, Joelma da Silva had more obstacles to face than many young mothers.
The 37-year-old mum from Hatch Warren couldn't read. So, when the schools closed and her two children – both in primary classes – returned home hoping their mother could help them in studies, she was determined to find a way.
It was then she stumbled upon the Basingstoke branch of Read Easy, a not-for-profit organisation that gives free one-to-one tuition to adults who struggle with reading.
Joelma started learning to read with her coach Claire. They had socially distanced coaching sessions at a park bench throughout the summer. During lockdowns, they continued the sessions using phones, and sending articles to each other.