As part of National Volunteer Week 2026 and this year’s theme, “Your Year to Volunteer,” Read Write Now hosted a full-day Skills Workshop at North Metropolitan TAFE Leederville, bringing together volunteer tutors for a day of learning, reflection and practical strategies to support adult learners.
A standout session was Teaching with Care: Trauma-Informed Tutoring for Adult Learners presented by Dr Jennifer Achari, a nationally recognised leader in trauma-informed education. Her presentation explored how trauma affects learning, memory, concentration, emotional regulation and engagement in adult education.
Dr Achari introduced key concepts including the “invisible load” learners carry, the importance of emotional safety, and the shift from asking “What’s wrong with this learner?” to “What happened to this learner?” Volunteers and staff reflected on how calm, consistent and relationship-based approaches can help learners feel safe enough to participate and succeed.
The presentation explored how trauma impacts the nervous system and learning readiness, highlighting the importance of creating calm, predictable and supportive learning spaces where adult learners feel safe, respected and connected.
Dr Achari also discussed the “window of tolerance” and how tutors can recognise signs of stress, overwhelm or emotional shutdown in learners. Practical strategies were shared to help volunteers support regulation, reduce shame and build resilience through consistent, strengths-based approaches.
The workshop continued with a presentation from Trevor Martin on culturally specific trauma-aware volunteering with Aboriginal communities. Drawing on more than 50 years of experience in Aboriginal education, Trevor shared valuable insights into cultural awareness, respectful engagement and community-informed approaches to volunteering.
In the afternoon, Dr Cath Ferguson presented Nurturing Digital Confidence: Enabling Adult Learners to Succeed, focusing on strategies to support adult learners navigating technology and digital literacy. The final session, presented by Athena Tsonis, explored the use of Artificial Intelligence as a Teaching Tool in Adult Literacy and Vocational Learning Contexts.
The Skills Workshop Day also provided an opportunity to acknowledge and thank Read Write Now volunteers for the time, care and dedication they contribute to supporting adult learners across Western Australia. The event reflected the spirit of National Volunteer Week — celebrating volunteers while continuing to invest in their knowledge, confidence and professional growth.
