Learning at Work Week (LAWW) in 2017 was a busy time for Union Learning Reps across the country as they organised activities and events aimed at inspiring workers to catch the learning bug.

In Sunderland the PCS branch at the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) was active and organised learning activities ranging from mindfulness to Shakespeare for Charlatans. They also ran a PCS union stall focusing on learning and offering access to all union information including apprenticeship information, the young members network, equality and registering to vote online.

Marie McDonough is Branch Secretary, and a ULR, in the DWP City of Sunderland Branch. Marie said:

Activities were chosen to suit the membership of the site and to follow up on previous learning organised in the branch on MHFA (Mental Health First Aid) and a course which is tutored by the Police and Crime Commissioner on Domestic Violence and abuse.

Surveys taken from members have shown a need for mental health training to be delivered within the branch along with experience gained in personal case work that has directed us to resource training in the past such as MIND Suicide and Self Harm etc."

Marie was helped out by Branch Learning co-ordinator Bill Kerr and new ULR Paul Mcadam.

The Shakespeare for Charlatans event was run as a taster session, a light touch introduction to Shakespeare organised by Paul, who was a qualified English teacher in his previous job. This was light relief for staff and the session went really well.

Management at the offices undertook their own planning of events as well, but after a joint meeting with the union took place PCS negotiated space within their planned arrangements. This was not an ideal situation but PCS hope that after the success of this year the union will be working together with management to organise future learning events aimed at staff.

Other sites within the City of Sunderland Branch undertook a learning ‘one hour’ as the offices have a late opening on a Wednesday. Events took place such as cake decorating, IT awareness and Tarot reading which staff all enjoyed and were successful sessions in the limited time.

Marie was very pleased with the way the activities were supported, and said:

Turnout was excellent and PCS gained many new members and nine young members signed up to the network. Many forms were taken and thanks to the FTO support arranged with PCS Northern, via Julie Young and Clare Hownam, the stall had full support all day.

Feedback from staff was excellent and a vibe of learning and interest was attained with many members of staff enthused and asking what else they can do now."

Learning at Work Week was seen as a springboard and the branch will be working on further events throughout the year as they plan to consult members on what learning they would like to see in their workplaces in the future.