A NEW initiative aimed at helping children with dyslexia is being held in Tavistock next month.

Joanna Jeffery, a teacher with extensive knowledge and expertise in the field, has set up a series of exhibitions in Devon and Cornwall to supplement work already undertaken in schools.

Joanna said: 'The new venture is entirely due to listening to the needs of the parents.

'Many feel that specialist dyslexia teaching is not as accessible as they would like.

'They also feel that while there may be excellent resources within schools, they themselves cannot help the children in a home environment.'

At the exhibitions, Joanna will be selling resources to help with a multi-sensory approach to learning, which will include books, IT equipment, board games and dice.

She said she hoped the equipment would enable parents to help their children learn, not so much in a teaching capacity, but in a fun way at home.

'This is very exciting, as these resources are normally very difficult to get hold of,' said Joanna, who aims to reach as many areas in Devon and Cornwall as possible with her exhibitions.

She has already set up a dyslexia centre at her home in Plymouth, and runs satellite centres in other areas, including one in Tavistock.

She said: 'It has always been my desire throughout my career to reach as many children as is humanly possible — this is a way of helping more children to read and spell.'

The exhibition will be held in the Alexander Centre in Tavistock on Saturday February 9, between 2pm and 4pm.

For more information, call Joanna Jeffery on 01752 663775 or visit her website at http://www.dyslexiasouthwest.co.uk">www.dyslexiasouthwest.co.uk