A NEW group has been set up to support youngsters with dyslexia.

Dyslexia specialists have banded together to give people across Bolton multi-sensory support at a new lottery-funded group.

The group, named The Key, was set up by dyslexia specialist and teacher Lynda Finney, 61, and her colleagues Julie Gregory and Vicki Lyons.

Ms Finney said the idea came about when she realised that there was no local support for those with dyslexia in Horwich: “I have taught in Bolton for many, many years, there is a need within Bolton and I just realised there was a demand from people and students needing support after cutbacks in the area, lots of people cannot afford private tutoring.”

The Key’s creators successfully applied for lottery funding and is now up and running. The team is inviting young people along to open sessions for assessment, as well as offering multi-sensory therapy which can be particularly valuable for children with dyslexia.

Ms Finney says the organisers can work with anyone aged five to 16 in these early stages: “We are going to see who comes through the door, it will be great if we get lots of people and we can do more sessions.

“We are going to be looking at confidence and self-esteem building, which has a big impact on people with dyslexia. We’re also going to be working on improving confidence in reading and writing.

“We want to give people back their confidence and show them that they just operate in a slightly different way and give them the tools to cope.”

The group leader also said that the team will be focusing on looking after people’s mental health, which can be affected by the effects of dyslexia.

The sessions will be operating out of Horwich’s community centre on Thursday evenings from 5pm to 6pm, for a nominal sum, going forward.