About 26TEN Communities: Local literacy for work and life
The new program, 26TEN Communities: Local literacy for work and life, aims to build capacity for communities to make a lasting difference to adult literacy and numeracy skills.
It was developed through consultation, including with the original eight communities, who told us that lasting change requires time to establish trust, change culture and build skills. This new program offers the resources to ensure communities can put in this effort and gain the benefits.
The Tasmanian Government has committed to funding seven communities by 2024, facilitating lasting change by providing $3 million over the next four years. A fifth community will be added in 2022, with another two to be funded in 2023. All Tasmanians gain the benefits of building literacy skills because the communities that work collectively to build skills increase wellbeing and become more resilient and prosperous as a result of their efforts.
The funding covers the cost of a 26TEN Community Coordinator and activities that are focussed on activities to raise literacy and numeracy skills, over a longer period.
The community will involve a number of local leaders who have the passion, time and influence to motivate others to take part. There will be a lead organisation in each community that hosts the 26TEN Community Coordinator. The Coordinator’s role will be to support local leaders. They will also join with other local projects and activities, to ensure individuals involved are getting the literacy support they need.
Communities are funded under a long-term commissioning model under a deed of grant. This gives each community ownership of its contribution to our shared 26TEN goals. They then follow 26TEN’s approach of collective action where services, businesses, government agencies, community groups and individuals work together to build literacy and numeracy skills.
New 26TEN Communities in 2021
The new 26TEN Communities and first to participate in the Local Literacy for work and life program are:
- Building a 26TEN Community, Glenorchy City Council
- Parents, Families and Carers – Learning for our Kids: a 26TEN Community Project, Hobart City Mission, Clarence Plains
- Connecting with literacy across Launceston Northern Suburbs – 26TEN Community Hub, Starting Point Neighbourhood House, Ravenswood
- Huon 26TEN Community, Geeveston Community Centre.
Glenorchy City Council - Building a 26TEN Community
The Glenorchy project will continue building a network of local service providers, businesses and individuals to improve literacy and to enhance prospects of current and future jobseekers. By working with the Glenorchy Jobs Hub, providing accessible and comfortable locations for learning, and promoting the benefits of improved literacy to businesses and the community as a whole, the project will have a lasting impact on skills.
Hobart City Mission: Parents, Families and Carers – Learning for our Kids: a 26TEN Community Project
Hobart City Mission’s project at Clarence Plains sees collaboration between community groups, local schools and the Rosny Library, aimed at lifting awareness of literacy issues. With longer-term funding, they can build on their current achievements to engage the community with a focus on improving the reading, writing and maths skills of parents and caregivers so that they're better able to support their children’s education.
Starting Point Neighbourhood House & Northern Suburbs Community Centre - Connecting with literacy across Launceston’s northern suburbs – 26TEN Community Hub
Launceston’s Northern Suburbs’ 26TEN Community Hub is about supporting local people to build their literacy and numeracy skills where and when they need it. As a 26TEN Community, with the longer term investment, the community will be able to build on their strong base of local experience and expertise to support initial literacy needs. The they will go further to help participants meet their personal, educational and employment goals.
Geeveston Community Centre Inc - Huon 26TEN Community
The Geeveston Community Centre is hosting the Huon 26TEN Community, using their longer-term funding to build an independent and sustainable community. The project will focus on raising awareness of the benefits of improving reading, writing and maths skills, engaging learners and supporting employers to build workplace skills. The goal is to contribute to a prosperous community where local residents and workers have the confidence and skills they need to flourish in their work and family life.
What is a 26TEN Community?
In a 26TEN Community everyone knows about 26TEN. Literacy and numeracy are talked about openly and seen as valuable skills that can be learned at any age. It is easy to ask for help as everyone understands there are many reasons why your reading, writing or numeracy skills are not as good as they might be. People who need to improve their skills feel comfortable to do so, and are appreciated for choosing to learn.
Programs and services to improve their literacy and numeracy are readily available, and learners are well supported to take each next step. Local literacy tutors provide friendly, practical help, and organisations run 26TEN employer grant projects to build skills at work.
Forms, signs and written information are well presented and easy to understand because people have the plain English skills to communicate clearly.
26TEN Communities will be established in a flexible way according to community, government and industry priorities. The community may be based on a particular region, industry or sector or operate in a local government area. This will depend on local need, resources and opportunities. The host organisation must be a legal entity.
Read about some other 26TEN Communities.
For more information about 26TEN Communities see the recent Review, 26TEN in 2020, and the 26TEN Communities Guide and Toolbox: Becoming a 26TEN Community; Lifting adult literacy levels in Tasmania.