About us Contact us Support us Home What is numeracy? What is the issue? What are we trying to achieve? How are we doing it? News and updates Evidence Learners Thinking about improving your maths skills? You’re not alone. National Numeracy works to support the many adults in the UK developing the maths skills needed for everyday life. What is numeracy? By numeracy, we mean everyday maths, the maths that helps you to make decisions in day-to-day life; things like looking after your money, planning journeys, and understanding adverts and offers. It’s the kind of maths that will help you feel confident with numbers and decision making in your life. Watch this video which talks about the benefits of good everyday maths and the idea that although it may take hard work and effort, everyone can learn this essential skill. Why learn everyday maths? You may feel like you don’t really need maths, and that you don’t use it very often. However most of us already use maths more than we realise, for things like: Money: bills, budgeting, loans, mortgages Statistics and adverts: understanding deals in supermarkets, and information in newspapers Life management: time, journeys, timetables, planning, organisation Work: maths skills are needed in most jobs: timesheets, cashing up, planning, measuring Better maths skills will help your confidence with these activities, and also improve your opportunities with things like: Employment: better maths skills can lead to promotions, better jobs, and higher salaries. Helping your children: with better maths skills you'll be able to help with their homework and their confidence, giving them a head start. See more examples in: The 'Why bother' section of the National Numeracy Challenge Online On our 'Maths at work' Pinterest board. I can’t do maths! Many of us have bad memories of maths at school, and feel like we can’t do maths. This makes people nervous about going back to learning. However maths makes you feel you're not alone - see more here. Will it be difficult? It’s important to remember that everyone finds learning new things difficult sometimes, whatever they’re learning. But the more you practise, the easier it will get. National Numeracy believes that with the right amount of effort and support, anyone can learn the maths they need for day-to-day life - it’s a skill we can learn at any point in life, as long as we put in the right effort and receive the right support. Want to read some real life learner stories? Here are two stories from people who have taken part in maths courses for adults, plus you can find more in: The 'Yes You Can' section of the National Numeracy Challenge Online Our 'Stories and Case Studies' Pinterest Board At school I couldn't see the importance of maths, and no-one showed me that I could actually do it. Since having another go at learning maths I've realised how satisfying it is to crack new challenges, and to see all the things I can understand and do as a result. I hated maths when I was at school because I couldn't understand the teacher. Since I've gone back to college, I have gained my level 2 qualification in maths and now love maths. I have even continued to do my maths once a week so that I can keep up with what I have learnt and do my GCSE next year. How you can make a difference We’re still relatively new and we are very keen to work with those who require maths help and are learning maths at all stages and from all places. Please get in touch to: tell us about resources and activities that you like and think we should share and promote through the site point us to important information and weblinks it would be useful to add let us know of gaps you think we should address suggest projects that we should be considering let us know about public figures perpetuating the ‘I can’t do maths’ attitude or anything else! Sign up to receive the latest news and updates SIGN UP NOW You may be interested in this… Information for Learners Explanation of the different types of courses available and how to find one local to you. Plus resources and books that might be useful too… National Numeracy Challenge The Challenge Online is a confidential, informal, interactive website which helps you to assess your numeracy, learn everyday maths online and gain confidence... Latest news 26th Sep 2014 Job Vacancy - Support Assistant - National Numeracy Challenge 16th Sep 2014 Manifesto for a Numerate UK Receive news and updates by email Latest resources Added 16th Sep 2014 Bounce: The myth of talent and the power of practice Added 5th Aug 2014 Engineering and Technology: Skills & Demand in Industry (2014) Search our resources library Share this on: ^ top Home News and updates Evidence About us Supported by Link to us Terms and conditions Follow us on What is numeracy? Why is numeracy important? Numeracy vs maths Numeracy in schools Numeracy for adults What is the issue? Numeracy – hidden behind literacy? Why are attitudes important? Numeracy in the real world What is unique about maths? What are we trying to achieve? The mathematical journey Campaigning – changing attitudes Our Projects – overview Research overview Working with partners How are we doing it? 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