Essential Skills for Life Award Winner
Stephen Reynolds

Stephen Reynolds was inspired to get support to learn to read and write after hearing a speaker at a GMB Congress talk about his own challenges with literacy.
Stephen, 46, from Newport, turned to GMB Union’s learning team for help and was diagnosed with severe dyslexia and potentially other neurodiverse conditions, which impact his speech and make social interactions difficult.
Through one-on-one sessions with tutors, he is now learning to read and write. He supplements his weekly literacy learning lessons with homework assignments and wants to improve his skills enough to be able to send texts and obtain a forklift licence.
When he lost his job at a Wilko store, where he had worked for more than 20 years, Stephen feared that his inability to read and write would be a barrier to finding employment, but he secured his current post at Tomoe Valve Ltd, Newport within a week.
To repay the ongoing support he receives, Stephen completed a 10k run in Tenby to raise more than £1,500 to help other dyslexic learners.
“I left school with no qualifications and thought, because I was older, I would never be able to read and write and no one would help me,” said Stephen. “That changed when I heard the speaker at the GMB Congress who had been in the same boat as me. Learning to read and write changed his life and I wanted to learn and change mine.
“I got help from my union and they found me a brilliant tutor. I love learning, can’t wait for each lesson and want to be able to read bills, text messages, newspapers, labels and things in shops, so I can shop on my own.
“I also want to learn enough so that I can send messages on a phone, because my speech is poor and I cannot dictate. I have a good network of people around me who teach and support me. Without them I wouldn’t be here.
“My advice to anyone thinking of learning is just go and do it, don’t be afraid. There is help out there for people like me.”
Vincent Board from GMB Union said: “As Stephen continues on his educational journey, his transformation from a reserved individual to a passionate advocate for learning serves as a testament to his resilience and determination to overcome obstacles. He is inspiring others to pursue their own paths to self-improvement and empowerment.”
Nominated by:
GMB Union
Category sponsor: