Vicky Brighton, Author at Helen Arkell

Research Participants Needed

Help Us Understand Reading and Anxiety in Adolescents.

Are you a parent of an adolescent aged 11–16 who has reading difficulties and is fluent in English? Researchers at the University of Surrey are inviting parent-child pairs to take part in an online research study exploring the connection between reading difficulties and anxiety.

Why participate?
Your insights will help us better support adolescents with reading difficulties in the future.

What’s involved?

Parents: Complete 3 short online surveys (approx. 20 mins total) and share child’s dyslexia assessment report via a secure link.
Adolescents: Complete 2 short online surveys (approx. 15 mins total).

🎁 Thank you gift: Each parent and adolescent will receive a £10 Amazon voucher for participating!

📌 Eligibility:

Adolescents aged 11–16.
In secondary school.
Have reading difficulties.
Had a dyslexia assessment in the last year.
Both parent and adolescent must be fluent in English.

🔗 Interested?
Follow the link to take part here or mail Jovana Durica at UnRAP@surrey.ac.uk to learn more and sign up.

Let’s work together to make a difference in how we support young people with reading challenges.

By Vicky Brighton|2025-11-28T15:22:06+00:00November 28th, 2025|Research news|Comments Off

Making Spirits Bright: Santa’s Grotto Launch Brings Joy and Support for Helen Arkell Students

Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity and children from surrounding local schools welcomed Santa and his team of elves to Squires Garden Centre, Badshot Lea, to help cut the ribbon and launch the opening of Santa’s Grotto for 2025!

Children who have benefited from the services of Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity joined from Potters Gate School in Farnham and William Cobbett School Farnham and were the first to meet Father Christmas and his helpers! Each child visited Santa and everyone came away with a special gift.

Squires Garden Centre, Badshot Lea, have chosen Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity as their Charity of the Year this year, and we are thrilled to have their support. As part of this, £1 from every ticket sold for Santa’s Grotto will be donated to Helen Arkell in the New Year. These funds will help us provide life-changing support to more people with dyslexia.

Santa’s Grotto is open until 4pm on Christmas Eve, so there’s lots of time to book your place and visit before Christmas!

To make a booking, please visit their website here.

By Vicky Brighton|2025-11-25T15:20:34+00:00November 25th, 2025|Fundraising news, Homepage featured, Latest news, Uncategorized|Comments Off

THRIVE: Neurodivergence at Work Survey

Help the UK Young Academy improve workplaces for neurodivergent people

The UK Young Academy — a network of early-career professionals working for positive change — is running a survey on how UK workplaces can better support dyslexic and other neurodivergent people.

You don’t need a formal diagnosis to participate.

All neurotypes welcome.

Whether you’re dyslexic, autistic, have ADHD, Tourette’s, or another form of neurodivergence — your voice matters.

Help shape more inclusive, supportive workplaces across the UK by sharing your experience.

Take the survey:

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/THRIVEUKYA/

By Vicky Brighton|2025-11-18T10:22:05+00:00November 18th, 2025|Latest news, Research news, Uncategorized|Comments Off

Congratulations Caroline!

Congratulations to our amazing supporter Caroline who successfully completed the New York Marathon earlier this month, raising funds for dyslexia awareness.

This is the second time Caroline has run the marathon, both for ourselves and The Children’s Dyslexia Center of New Jersey.

Caroline completed the course in 4 hours and 47 minutes, inspired by her son George, who is thriving thanks to the support of specialist charities.

And as if one marathon wasn’t enough, Caroline is doing it all again (this side of the pond!) running the London Marathon in April 2026, for Helen Arkell.

She’s truly inspiring!

Read her full story and support her fundraising here

https://www.gofundme.com/…/running-the-london-nyc…

Inspired by Caroline’s story? Take on a challenge for dyslexia!

Visit our events page to find a challenge!

By Vicky Brighton|2025-11-14T15:07:36+00:00November 14th, 2025|Fundraising news, Homepage featured, Latest news, Uncategorized|Comments Off

Three CPD Courses for specialist assessors

Three fantastic courses for assessors are now available to book.

We have been developing our range of CPD training for specialist assessors. All courses are now available to book here: Courses for assessors | Helen Arkell

Introduction to the Intelligence and Development Scales 2^nd Edition (IDS-2)

This presentation includes an overview of how the test battery is constructed, its strengths for assessing the areas of cognition and attainment that are most relevant for dyslexia, and scoring. Sarah Sainty, the course presenter, is an Assessment Consultant for Hogrefe and a highly experienced assessor. She enjoys using the IDS-2 and will explain the wealth of information it yields. We give thanks to Hogrefe for this presentation. For more details and to book: Introduction to the Intelligence and Development Scales (IDS-2) | Helen Arkell

WIAT-III UK: A comparison with the WIAT-III UK-T

This course is for specialist assessors who are familiar with administering the WIAT-III UK-T and would like to understand the additional areas of testing offered by the WIAT-III UK. The course includes an overview of the WIAT-III UK, a comparison of the test materials in both versions, a comparison of the subtests offered in both versions, a recap of the administration of existing key subtests, and guidance on administration of the new subtests in the WIAT-III UK in areas of language, reading, spelling, writing and maths. Helen Barrett, an experienced assessor, presents this course. For more details and to book: WIAT-III UK: A Comparison with the WIAT-III UK-T | Helen Arkell

Alternative Tests of Underlying Ability

This course is for specialist assessors who are considering alternatives to the Wide Range Intelligence Test (WRIT) which will be withdrawn from the SASC list of approved tests at the start of January 2026. The course includes an overview of conceptualisations of intelligence, the structure and conceptualisation of intelligence of 5 test batteries: RIAS-2, IDS-2, WCJIV-Cog, TOD and CAS-2, the subtests in each battery that aim to measure intelligence and/or the ability to find ways to tackle learning tasks, and how these relate to the requirements of the current SASC report format, examples of the kinds of tasks an examinee would be asked to complete in these subtests, and basic test information including age range, approximate costs, administration time, standardisation, validity and reliability. Anita Haigh, an experienced assessor, presents this course. For more details and to book: Alternative Tests of Underlying Ability | Helen Arkell

By Vicky Brighton|2025-11-13T10:01:37+00:00November 13th, 2025|Course news, Latest news|Comments Off

Haslemere Charities Fair

Helen Arkell will be attending the much-loved Haslemere Charities Fair on Sunday 23rd November.

The event will run from 10am to 2pm at the Haslemere Hall.

This fun Christmas event is FREE to enter for the public, making it more accessible than ever.

Expect a festive atmosphere filled with handcrafted gifts, homemade cakes, and plenty of opportunities to support local charities, including ourselves. There will be the newly refurbished lounge annexe and café for visitors to enjoy a warm drink and light snacks while browsing.

We’re proud to be part of this community event and look forward to seeing you there!

Pop along and say hi!

By Vicky Brighton|2025-11-10T12:49:32+00:00November 10th, 2025|Fundraising news, Latest news, Shop news, Team blog|Comments Off

Introducing Claire Harvey’s, ‘A Little Guide for Teachers: Supporting Dyslexic Learners in the Classroom’

We are thrilled to share the news that Head of Education, Claire Harvey’s ‘Supporting Dyslexic Learners in the Classroom’, will be published on Saturday 25th October 2025.

This a practical guide with advice for how learners with dyslexia can thrive in the classroom.

Every teacher is a teacher of neurodivergent learners — including those with dyslexia. With the right adjustments and accommodations, children with dyslexia can thrive in the classroom. This practical Little Guide, empowers teachers with proven strategies, tools and insights to help dyslexic learners succeed.

This book is now available for purchase from our shop here. 📚

By Vicky Brighton|2025-10-23T17:02:40+01:00October 23rd, 2025|Latest news, Shop news, Team blog|Comments Off

Support from Spinach!

We’re incredibly proud to be supported by Spinach! 💚

We are pleased to announce that Spinach, an independent family run small chain of restaurants and shops in East Dulwich and Crystal Palace, is now supporting Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity.

Spinach, whose founder Mel and several team members have dyslexia, have decided to help us following an assessment that one of their team had from Helen Arkell.

As they were only diagnosed as adults, they feel that they spent meant years of feeling “not good enough”… when all they needed was the right support.

Spinach are kindly supporting Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity via donations in their restaurant, helping children get the support they need early on.

If you are in the area, pop in, grab something delicious, and donate if you can. They also have a Just Giving page: Spinach London is fundraising for Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity

Thank you!

By Vicky Brighton|2025-10-21T16:56:39+01:00October 21st, 2025|Fundraising news, Latest news|Comments Off

Dyslexia Awareness Week 2025 – Raising the Volume

This week we’re Raising the Volume for Dyslexia Awareness Week!

From Monday 6 October – Sunday 12 October 2025 we will be making sure dyslexia is heard, understood, and celebrated like never before.

💙 Heartfelt & Inclusive

Dyslexia Awareness Week 2025 is here, and we’re inviting every voice to join the conversation.

🎤 Your Voice, Your Story

Got a story to tell? This October, we’re Raising the Volume and handing you the mic.

📣 Advocacy-Focused

It’s time to speak up, stand out, and Raise the Volume this October.

We believe every voice matters, and every story has the power to inspire. Whether you’ve lived with dyslexia, supported someone who has, or championed inclusive learning—your experience can help others feel seen and heard.

📱 Share Your Story We’d love you to join in by sending us a short video (up to one minute) sharing your journey with dyslexia. What challenges have you overcome? What strengths have helped you thrive? What advice would you give others? Send your stories to: news@helenarkell.org.uk – thank you!

Watch our stories:

Dyslexia Awareness Week 2025

Eshani’s Story

Maliya-Mae’s Story

Gary’s Story

#DAW25

By Vicky Brighton|2025-10-31T10:39:09+00:00October 6th, 2025|Fundraising news|Comments Off

Level 5 & Level 7 Specialist Dyslexia Teachers and Assessors Celebrate Graduation

On Friday 19th September our newly qualified Level 5 & Level 7 Specialist Dyslexia Teachers and Assessors celebrated their graduation ceremony at The Memorial Hall, Farnham with family, friends and staff from Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity.

Graduates from our 24/25 cohort proudly received their certificates, marking the end of an incredible year of hard work. This year’s graduation ceremony was kindly sponsored by Barrington Stoke, the award-winning dyslexia-friendly publisher, who design their books with the needs of dyslexic and reluctant readers in mind.

A special thank you to Katrina Cochrane who as guest speaker, presented the certificates and gave a fascinating welcome presentation.

Katrina is one of the UK’s leading experts on Dyslexia and Learning Difficulties with senior teaching and management experience gained at major Dyslexia charities, including Head of Education and Policy at the BDA. Author of several books and articles on dyslexia and the owner and founder of Positive Dyslexia Ltd. Positive Dyslexia was set up in 2016 by Katrina to raise awareness of dyslexia to schools and organisations, alongside being a provider of training and assessment, and running events and conferences.

Claire Harvey, Head of Education at Helen Arkell said, “It was an absolute privilege to watch our trainee specialist assessors and trainee specialist assessors develop their skills over the last year as they trained with us. They all worked extremely hard and should be very proud of all they have achieved. These specialist teachers and assessors will go on to help hundreds of individuals with dyslexia in the future, supporting them with their learning and to achieve their chosen goals, ultimately making a real difference”.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to make this evening so special and a huge congratulations to all our graduates.

If you want to find out more about these courses, information for the 25/26 entry for our Level 5 and Level 7 courses is available here.

By Vicky Brighton|2025-10-31T10:41:13+00:00September 30th, 2025|Course news, Team blog|Comments Off

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