A new scheme aims to give vulnerable people in Kent literacy confidence for life.

Kent-based homelessness charity Porchlight will be the first organisation to use the scheme with 300 of their service users taking part.

Launched by the KM Charity Team, Bookbinders is a new scheme, which will support vulnerable groups with reading and literacy skills. The aim is to harness the power of literacy to improve people's lives by increasing their chances of getting a job, but also by helping them to love reading for its personal and social advantages. With this in mind, Bookbinders' design is based on the book club format, but adapted to give attendees a wider set of options for discovery and discussion.

Porchlight co-ordinator, Matt Witts said: "Nothing is more important in rebuilding our clients' lives than literacy skills. We are really excited to be working with the KM Charity Team in starting the Bookbinder's project."

Participants of the scheme are equally enthused by the initiative. One of the Porchlight's service users, Lee Davies, said: "Bookbinders will give people more confidence in literacy and help them academically and with their communication skills for Job Centre letters, job interviews and important things like that that help people move forwards in life.

Simon Dolby from the KM Charity Team said: "We are delighted to be working with Porchlight to launch the Bookbinders scheme. We think it will also have real impact in helping disaffected teenage groups, as well as parent groups, especially where English is not their first language."

To find out more about Bookbinders visit bookbinders.org.uk or to become an organisational sponsor and get more people enrolled on the scheme contact Simon Dolby on 0844 264 0291 or sdolby@thekmgroup.co.uk.