Perth man encouraging other to seek help with literacy problems

A Perth man who only learned to read and write as an adult has been chosen to front a literacy and numeracy campaign.

Stewart Bell struggled to spell words like the and is for most of his life and thought he simply could not read and write.

One of many people who live in Scotland who have difficulty with reading, writing or using numbers, the 53-year-old was watching Big Plus adverts on television when he finally decided to seek help.

“I had watched the adverts a few times that week and I thought, ‘I have to do something about it now’,” he said.

“It was the hardest phone call I have ever made and it was the best phone call I have ever made.”

Since that call more than a decade ago, Mr Bell has won his 40-year battle with words and has even written a book about his experience called Writing The Wrongs.

He decided to take part in the current campaign aimed at encouraging more people to get help from the Big Plus because he hopes it will change people’s lives in the way his life was changed.

He says he feels he has nothing to fear now and is happier and more confident.

Call the Big Plus call on 0800 917 8000 or visit www.thebigplus.com to see Mr Bell’s story.