SOS: Birmingham Dyslexia charity faces closure.

Dyslexia Association Birmingham (DAB) celebrated its 10th birthday last year, but due to various cuts in Government funding is in danger of being unable to continue to provide help and advice.

The charity provides an advice hotline, drop in centre and learning centre for the people of Birmingham, giving help and advice to children, parents and adults who believe that they might be Dyslexic. They also offer screenings to people who suspect they may be Dyslexic.

Over the last decade they have advised thousands of people and in some instances believe they may have saved lives. Director, Denny Manning explains “People that contact us can be at their wits end, either because they don’t understand what is wrong or why they are being left behind or even worse, being bullied at school, the word frustration is often used.”

Like many charities, the recent financial climate and government cuts have lead to a struggle with funding, but now DAB only have enough money left to survive for a few months. Unlike other charities, they require very little funding each year – just £20,000.

DAB give clear advice to Dyslexics and even have dedicated courses to train teachers how to spot the signs of dyslexia. They back all of this up by providing bursaries, where required, in order to get children assessed.

1 in 10 people in Birmingham are Dyslexic, that adds up to many thousands across the city, so in order for the service to continue and thrive they need your help.

Denny said they faced a “constant battle” to win funding:

“Dyslexia just isn’t sexy enough to attract the attention other charities do, there is nothing visual about it which makes it really difficult.

“There’s still a huge stigma attached to Dyslexia. It’s not only children in the playground who get bullied: we hear from adults who find work a living nightmare because they get teased about their condition.”

The city centre-based charity, which employs two part-time staff, along with many volunteers, at its office in Carrs Lane Centre, needs just £20,000 a year to offer the level of support it has done for the past decade.

“It’s the passion of the team that keeps this charity afloat.” said Denny. “It would be very easy to walk away if we weren’t as passionate as we are.”

People can give by either using Paypal through the charity’s website www.da-bham.org or by sending a cheque to Dyslexia Association Birmingham, Carrs Lane Church Centre, Carrs Lane, Birmingham. B4 7SX