UNISON members across the East Midlands were bowled over by the learning opportunities on offer at this year’s Learning at Work Week.

In total over 60 events were organised by Union Learning Reps in the region – drawing around 1500 learners, many of whom decided to follow up their experiences by enrolling on a course.

As well as workplace based activities one particular session draw a lot of positive feedback from staff. This was a bowls taster for workers at North West Leicestershire District Council.

Gillian Squires is a UNISON Lifelong Learning Co-ordinator and organised the session.

Gillian said:

We were trying to think of something a bit different and we were also aware that it was Mental Health Awareness Week so we were keen to link in with that. Coalville Town Bowls’ Club is located at the end of our car park so it’s literally right on our door step – it was an obvious choice."

We ran the lawn bowls’ taster as a drop-in session over lunchtime on Friday 18th May. We had twelve members of staff take part at Coalville Town Bowls’ Club and they all loved it.”

Lawn bowls has a lot of benefits for both physical and mental health. Though it is seen as a gentle sport bowls can improve muscle strength, flexibility and endurance. Whilst the game gets players into the fresh air and helps alleviate depression and anxiety, improves self-confidence, co-ordination and concentration. As it is a team sport it has a lot of social benefits as well.

Gillian added that:

Following on from the taster we had three people who were really interested in joining – one person was so excited that they were straight on the internet after the session checking out the cost of bowls.”

There was a lot of positive feedback from the staff who took the opportunity to try their hand at bowls for the first time.

Chris Lambert said:

For years I have thought about going over to the bowls club to find out more about it, and this lunchtime was a game changer for me, I really enjoyed it.

I will be following this up so thank you so much for setting up the taster session”

Lubica Smethurst also like the taster so much she is joining the club. Lubica said:

I really enjoyed the bowling experience and I will actually join the bowling club I think as I can imagine it to be a good, gentle sport for my knees, and the sport that is competitive and doesn’t break your bank account either.”

Gillian summed up by saying:

This was great fun, totally different from what I expected. A big thank you to Coalville Town Bowls’ Club, who provided excellent coaching and shared their love of the game.”