Carol Holden

I have always believed that literacy is about far more than reading and writing. It is about dignity, confidence, connection and opportunity. My passion for literacy began in the 1980s when I volunteered to teach English to migrants. Seeing how language empowered people to participate more in their communities inspired me to train as a teacher of English and English as an Additional Language.

Throughout my career, I have met many people with extraordinary skills and knowledge who struggled with literacy. However it was not until I became the parent of a son with profound dyslexia that I truly understood the daily challenges faced by people who struggle with literacy in their first language. My son has been my greatest teacher. Through his experiences, I saw how everyday situations can lead to embarrassment, exclusion and an unhelpful focus on deficits rather than strengths.

In 2021, the SBS documentary series Lost for Words highlighted Australia's hidden crisis of low adult literacy and numeracy. Inspired by these stories, I founded Here 2 Help through my role as a Language, Literacy and Numeracy teacher at TAFE NSW. In partnership with the Bega Library, the program provides free, one-to-one support without enrolments, assessments or formal barriers to participation. In 2024, Here 2 Help expanded to Tura Library, creating a welcoming space for migrants and strengthening connections across the wider community.

While I am proud of the program's impact, I remain concerned about the stigma that prevents many native English speakers from seeking help. Through my Churchill Fellowship, I will investigate how Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom are reducing shame and encouraging adults to engage with literacy learning. My vision is for a future where strengths are celebrated, barriers are removed, and every person feels empowered to reach their full potential.