Literacy and numeracy are life skills that some adults in our community have missed out on due to interrupted schooling, sickness, leaving the education system at a young age or having a misunderstood learning disability.
Low literacy and numeracy levels can restrict adults to low paying jobs and limit opportunities for training or promotion. Perpetuating cycles in families can also occur and the problem kept well hidden, ending up in social exclusion, poor mental health and often withdrawing themselves from opportunities.
And now, digital skills have also become an essential skill in daily life.
Since 1977, Read Write Now has been helping adult Western Australians who want a second chance to improve their lives by providing literacy support to those who seek it. We provide a free one-on-one tutoring program focused on reading, writing, maths, study or basic computer skills.
As a community-based volunteer organisation, trained volunteer tutors take the time to understand the individual circumstances and needs of each adult student. Tutors use the student’s approach to learning to create a tailored lesson plan, motivating them and breaking down their barriers to learning.
For over 45 years, Read Write Now has brought literacy to Western Australians far and wide. It is not just the thousands of individuals who have sought help who benefit. The indirect impact extends beyond the student’s life to their children, their employers, the local community, the WA economy and ultimately society as a whole. Higher levels of literacy build the individual and the social capital of communities, leading to greater participation and community resilience.
Adult learners meet with their tutor for about an hour and a half each week in a public venue or online. Approximately 650 students work with 500 trained volunteer tutors annually to achieve their personal and professional goals.
Currently, the Program operates in 18 regions throughout the state, including the Perth metropolitan area, Albany, Geraldton, Bunbury, Collie, Esperance and Katanning.
Read Write Now changes lives through literacy!
Read Write Now is funded by the Western Australian Department of Training and Workforce Development and receives in-kind sponsorship from North Metropolitan TAFE. The TAFE provides the Program with office space, Finance, Marketing, HR and IT support.
Over its history, Read Write Now has had the benefit of a number of strong supporters and sponsors. The Program has always worked on the principle that the greater the involvement with the people of WA and agencies, the more we can achieve together.
We work closely together with the Reading Writing Hotline, a free national referral service supporting adults across Australia to improve their literacy, numeracy and digital skills (LND). Word of mouth has also played an important role in reaching more people who are ready to take the next step to improve their lives.
Private business sponsorship has allowed Read Write Now to provide IT equipment to regions, recognition programs for volunteers and resource materials for students.