Dorset County Council and the local government branch of UNISON recently worked together to hold a lunchtime event during Learning at Work Week. The event was to attract new and existing members and to highlight the unions aim to provide free education to all by promoting learning opportunities to staff across the county.

The branch had held meetings with the employer to discuss the event and what would be on offer. It also invited local education providers to have stalls on the day at County Hall in Dorchester.

Union Learning Rep and Education Coordinator for UNISON’s Dorset County Branch, Moira Priestley, said:

During LAW week we invited local education providers to have stalls alongside our unison stall, so that we could promote the different learning/education that is available in the local area.”

Different members of staff gave information to workers from Dorset County Council about education opportunities that were available.”

On the day Moira was joined by fellow ULR Roger Bell and a number of providers including Learning and Skills – Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole to highlight loads of courses on offer.

Lots of staff members took the opportunity to find out more and there was interest in a number of future activities in the council as well as through external providers.

Moira said that:

Following the day we explored the possibility of running a monthly book/writing group once a month open to members and non- members. The purpose is to increase reading/writing/discussion opportunities and increase membership.”

The stall was very well attended and generated a lot of discussion and interest as many staff weren’t aware that the union could support learning. This interest has resulted in a possible new ULR and a definite steward.

Amanda Brown is the Branch Secretary. She felt that the event had been very positive with the branch and employer work well together.

Amanda said:

The employer was very supportive and we had pre-meets about Learning at Work Week prior to the week. They publish our events on the councils digital site which reaches thousands of people.”

Following the day the branch is planning more learning activities including a bookbinding workshop in June and a lunchtime session for women members of staff on Women’s wellbeing and sexual health including breastfeeding , menopause , period poverty , relationships and empowerment.