Shelley's story

Shelley Charlton was one of four winners in the Volunteer of the Year Awards 2019, as part of the Department for Education, Children and Young People’s Together We Inspire Awards

She works as an adult literacy and numeracy volunteer at Glenorchy Library and has an amazing amount of respect and passion for her students.

“To me, my students never fail,” she said. “If they can’t do something, it means I have to find another way to teach it.”

“If you can read, it doesn’t matter if you are sick, if you can’t walk, if nobody thinks anything of you. It doesn’t matter. Because as long as you have a book, you can be anybody, you can go anywhere and you can do anything.”

previous success story Alisa, adult learner
next success story Peter, Literacy Coordinator

More success stories:

Kelly, adult learner

Kelly's story as an adult learner in George Town

"My family are so proud of me for working so hard and have seen a difference in me. So my advice is to go for what you love and be happy. Don't try and do it on your own, always ask for help even if you think you can't do it, keep trying."

read more
Robin, volunteer

Robin's story as a volunteer

"Failure was not an option, though, as the future growth of each learner that I was offered was dependent upon me sending them away from each session with greater knowledge, confidence and belief in themselves."

read more