Graduate striving to offer support to dyslexic students

A Teesside University graduate who was diagnosed with dyslexia while studying towards a degree has created an advice website to help others in his position.

Phillip Ruddock, who currently works as a college lecturer, hasn’t let his dyslexia hold him back since being diagnosed as dyslexic while completing his BA (Hons) English Studies degree at Teesside University back in 2007.

Now teaching English, he has set up a dyslexia support website to offer help and advice, while also providing a space for people to share what it is like to live with dyslexia.

Phillip, 36, of Middlesbrough, said: “The aim of the website is to help people to understand dyslexia through the eyes of those who have dyslexia. I currently work as an English lecturer, despite being told when I was younger that I would struggle to become a lecturer due to my dyslexia.

“I received my diagnosis back in 2007 when I was a student at Teesside University; the place where I finally began to get the support that I had always craved. Until then, I had simply been categorised as SpLD (Specific Learning Difficulty) Spelling, which never really helped me.

“Teesside University not only gave me the diagnosis but, more importantly, helped me to make sense of things. It was where I finally received dedicated one-to-one support for my dyslexia. Never before had I received such support and it was truly life changing and revolutionary.”

He added: “I decided to set up a website around five years ago as a way of connecting individuals with dyslexia and sharing their journey. It is a way of connecting with others to learn from their experiences, foster empathy and understanding and banish the feelings of shame that so many people have around dyslexia.”

Since creating his website, Phillip has received support from Matt Hancock MP, who provided a short video for the website about his own personal experience of living with dyslexia.

Phillip said: “The aim is to help create a grassroots shift in societal understanding of dyslexia. I hope to foster and grow a dyslexic community through the website and engaging with people.”

Phillip, who previously taught at a secondary school, also cites the support he received while a student at Teesside University as a major factor in leading him towards creating a dyslexia mentoring system for his own students.

“Many of the dyslexic students I worked with at secondary school went on to progress to achieve university degrees,” he added.

Rosie Jones, Director of Student & Library Services, said: “Teesside University has a range of services available to ensure that students have access to the support they need to overcome individual challenges and difficulties. Our dedicated Student Life team are always on hand to help.”

Phillip’s website

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