About us
Dyslexia Action is a national charity that takes action to change the lives of people living with dyslexia.
Who we are
The beginnings of Dyslexia Action date back to 1968 when a group of parents, including Kathleen Hickey and Bev Hornsby who formed the North Surrey Dyslexia Society, set up a working party, including Wendy Fisher, with the aim of establishing a Dyslexia Institute. In 1972 the Dyslexia Institute was founded with Miss Hickey as Director of Studies and Mrs Fisher as Executive Director. Beve Hornsby went on to found the Hornsby International Dyslexia Centre.
From its small beginnings, the Dyslexia Institute grew into a national charity with 26 main centres across the UK and 150 teaching outposts and units. We specialise in assessments to identify dyslexia and specialist multi-sensory tuition to help and support those identifies as dyslexic; as well as offering training to teachers and other professionals.
Then in 2005, following a merger with the Hornsby International Dyslexia Centre, we changed our name to Dyslexia Action.
Our name may have changed over the years but what hasn’t changed is our passion and ambition to improve opportunities for those with dyslexia.
What we do
We want a world where barriers to learning, employment and fulfilment have been removed for people with dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties.
We aim to make this a reality by campaigning to influence changes in policy and raise awareness of dyslexia, offering help and support directly to individuals by providing assessment, education, support and specialist teaching and empowering educators and employers so they can help individuals living with dyslexia and literacy difficulties. To support our work, we fundraise and sell products through our shop, the proceeds of which are donated back to the charity.
We operate from our Head Office in Egham, Surrey and a network of regional centres and teaching outposts.
Who needs us?
Dyslexia is a hidden disability that affects approximately 10% of the population to varying degrees. It doesn’t affect intelligence but predominately causes difficulties with reading, writing and spelling. However, it is much more than just a difficulty with reading and can affect an individual in many other ways such as organisation, memory and / or mathematics.
The social impact of dyslexia is extensive. If you cannot learn to read, you cannot read to learn and everything we do at school and throughout life requires us to have the skills to be able to access written information. Above and beyond the difficulties and barriers dyslexia presents, is the damage that low self-esteem can have, which is life-long.
BUT with the correct help and support dyslexia and literacy difficulties need not be a barrier to education, employment and fulfilment. Dyslexia Action exists to ensure all those affected by such hidden disabilities get the help and support that they need.
Where your money goes
As a charity, all money raised goes to ensuring we are able to continue our work, projects and to support learners through the Learning Fund. See what we were able to achieve through your support last year.
If you want to find out more, please read our strategy.
Find out more about our services, our centres and how to get involved or support our work.
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