Take the first step is a public awareness campaign in Ireland that supports adults with literacy and numeracy difficulties to improve their skills. Take the first step is Ireland’s campaign to encourage adults who have difficulty with reading, writing, maths or technology to contact a Freephone support line 1800 20 20 65 to get the help they need.  

Once they make contact the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) will put them in contact with their local ETB Adult Education Centre or tell them about other free services that will meet their needs.

Taking the first steps on any difficult journey requires courage and commitment – and for those who have difficulties reading or writing, the stigma attached can prove daunting and discouraging. This campaign aims to dispel this stigma by focusing on the benefits of returning to further education.

The campaign is a key action in the Further Education and Training (FET) Strategy 2014-2019. It is being managed by the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) on behalf of SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority. It brings together a range of stakeholders including ETBs, Libraries, Skills for Work, Skillnets, AONTAS, ISME, IBEC, the Department of Education and the Department of Health.

NALA is an independent membership organisation concerned with developing policy, advocacy, research and offering advisory services in adult literacy work in Ireland. Currently there are 50,000 adults attending ETB adult literacy courses nationwide. This service is delivered by 1,500 paid tutors and over 2,000 volunteers.