Skilled, confident, knowledgeable: ensuring our reps have the training they need

Our reps keep UNISON going. Whether they’re recruiting people to the union, ensuring that colleagues get the training they’re entitled to, making the case for healthy, safe workplaces, or accompanying members to grievance or disciplinary hearings, the work they do every day helps to make UNISON the strong, effective, cooperative union it is. UNISON recognises […]

As we approach the end of 2021…

Looking back We’d like to say a big thank you… To UNISON members, for keeping our public services running through a second challenging year. To UNISON activists, for supporting our members in the challenges they’ve faced at work, standing up for workers’ rights. To UNISON learning reps and lifelong learning coordinators, for opening up learning […]

Your learning diary for autumn 2021

This autumn we have an exciting programme of learning events for UNISON members and activists. We’ll be working with organisations including The Money Charity, Hydrocracker Theatre Company, and Cruse Bereavement Care, as well as our own in-house experts, to bring you the knowledge and skills you need. Whether you’re looking to improve your financial wellbeing, […]

ULearn 2021 is out now!

Looking back over the last year’s achievements, reflecting on some of the ways that branches have found to sustain workplace learning after the loss of the Union Learning Fund, and sharing some great ideas to inspire you, this digital edition of ULearn magazine is a celebration of the work that UNISON learning reps, branch education […]

Looking ahead with UNISON learning

With holiday season upon us, many of us are breathing a sigh of relief and taking a break before we look ahead to the rest of the year. And there’s plenty to look forward to this autumn. We’re continuing to expand our online learning offer for UNISON members and for UNISON activists. Free online learning […]

“The impact is immense”

In this guest blog Carol McGrath, UNISON learning project worker in Leeds, explains why union learning is so important to her. I have always had a passion for lifelong learning and I strongly believe learning enables people to live a happier and fulfilled life. A few years ago, happy with my career path and content […]

Learning for organising, organising for the future

The last few months have seen record numbers joining our union – members we’re glad to welcome. But we know that becoming a member is only half the story. If UNISON is to continue to grow and organise we need more active members to take up an activist role – if you’re interested in finding […]

Learning in lockdown: support for ULRs during the coronavirus pandemic

In this coronavirus pandemic we’re seeing once more the importance of learning for people’s wellbeing and mental health. And UNISON learning reps have been adapting what they do and how they do it in order to meet that need. It’s important to think about your own development in your ULR role and to make sure that you […]

Delivering learning at a distance: tools for ULRs

While we know that many of our members and reps will be extremely busy continuing to deliver our public services, or are busier than usual with caring responsibilities, others are on furlough or self-isolating and find themselves with unexpected spare time.   Meanwhile, people’s natural creativity and adaptability has been evident as they’ve been adapting their pastimes to life at home and sharing them […]

Personal development for UNISON members

The Covid-19 pandemic has presented a whole host of challenges, both foreseen and unforeseen. Many thousands of UNISON members are working long hours to care for victims of the disease, and to keep other essential public services functioning. Others are at home – on furlough, or self-isolating. Work is challenging, and so is life at […]