McAuley’s Learning Support Program is changing lives

“I really do see the value of education,” says McAuley volunteer Maryanne. “The Program felt like somewhere I could fit in and start giving value straightaway. It was a great match.”

This sentiment is echoed by many of McAuley’s Learning Support volunteers who, alongside McAuley staff, support children who have escaped family violence and left everything behind, to remain engaged with their education and to help them deal with the trauma in their lives.

“We know that the impacts on children and young people who have left family violence, particularly on their education and wellbeing, are deep and lasting,” said McAuley Volunteer Coordinator Kirsty Manning. “They become disconnected from school and fall behind their classmates, and they struggle socially.”

Through McAuley’s Learning Support Program skilled volunteer tutors, trained in trauma informed practice, tailor education programs and their approach to meet the age and specific needs of each child. McAuley provides each child with a laptop to connect with volunteers and securely engage in online learning.

To ensure that the learning journey is well supported, tutors also work with mothers and primary carers to ensure that they are engaged in their child’s learning process and that learning routines are supported between sessions.

During FY ’23-‘24, McAuley volunteer tutors supported 20 children across almost 260 tutoring sessions.

“Our volunteers are the lifeblood of the Learning Support Program,” said Kirsty “They are all ages and come from all walks of life, and their individual experiences bring a unique set of skills to the role.”

Maryanne, who has supported six children in the six years she has volunteered with the Learning Support Program, said her desire to give back is why she continues her work with McAuley.

“That sense of fulfilment is so important in life. McAuley has been one of the biggest sources of giving me that sense of fulfilment, in what I do, in my value, in my skills. That’s priceless for me,” said Maryanne.

The Learning Support Program is one of many volunteer opportunities available at McAuley.

“We work with volunteers broadly right across McAuley, from fundraising to food preparation to education support”, said Kirsty. “We seek to understand their motivations and interests and work hard to ensure volunteers have meaningful roles and are the right fit for us.”