Union Learning Reps are enthusiasts for learning!

We are employees of Community Lives Consortium and encourage staff to develop their

knowledge and skills in an area of interest. We act as a signpost to direct you to the best possible

courses and can arrange a number of courses to suit your needs.

Primarily, the focus is on the Essential skills of Numeracy, Communication and I.T (computers), but

this can also be achieved through other subjects.

The Consortium, in partnership with UNISON and CONNECTING LEARNERS are able to provide

courses and training to help you pursue your interests.

So far, we have held a number of courses relating to Autism with a guest speaker who lives with

autism. We have also organised a taster course in British Sign Language.

Keep a look out for events coming up soon...

INSIDE…..

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Learning

LOANS

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

SIX BOOK

CHALLENGE

Essential skills

What is it?

The Welsh Government describe the term as: “The

ability to read, write and speak in English or Welsh, and

to use mathematics and IT, at a level necessary to

function and progress at work and in society in general”.

Why do we need essential skills?

To apply for promotion To understand Health and Safety notices and instructions To complete paperwork and fill in forms To take part in meetings To read and understand work instructions To use reference systems e.g. telephone directory, filing systems To study for workplace qualifications

Community Lives Consortium offer a range of learning opportunities to develop your skills. Support in literacy and numeracy on a one to one basis or in small groups

with qualified essential skills tutors. Basic ICT- an 8 week course for absolute beginners which offers you an

opportunity to gain Agored accredited qualification in Word processing and emailing.

Maths skill build - a 4 week course with qualified essential skills tutor, to improve your maths to use at home and at work.

Communication and numeracy ESIW courses which lead to qualifications. Referrals are also offered for Dyslexia assessments For more information, please contact a Union Learning Rep or Caroline

Firth on 01792 646640 / caroline.firth@communitylives.co.uk

Connecting Learners (in South & Mid Wales Wales) is a partnership project between

Unison, Community Lives Consortium, and over 4000 community-voluntary

organisations across Wales. It is funded by the Wales Union Learning Fund. The aim of the

project is to support and complement work based learning opportunities – but with a

particular focus on the basic skills of literacy, numeracy and IT.

We have two staff working on the Project:

Marta Sztejka—Project Administrator

Available on Mondays, Tuesdays and also Wednesday afternoon for general

learning queries.

marta.sztejka@communitylives.co.uk

Karen Fisher—Project Manager

karen.fisher@communitylives.co.uk

Both staff are based at the main office (Tel: 01792 646640)

‘Thank you to Connecting Learners for facilitating

an autism awareness course, with a guest

speaker who lives with autism. ‘

‘It was really interesting, hearing from a person living with

autism and hearing about his daily challenges. He was a

fantastic public speaker and helped me to understand what it is

like to live with autism.’

‘This course helped me to understand the people I support better

and where I could adapt myself to help people with autism.’

‘I approached a Union Learning Rep a few years ago. I wanted to go back to university to study again but I was quite nervous. The ULR’s really encouraged me to take up learning again and one even came with me to my first few sessions at university until I settled in.’

‘I have attended the communication and numeracy courses with the

Consortium and have gained qualifications for my achievements.

I am now able to sit and read with my children and help them with their

homework.

Since completing my courses, I have also joined as a

Union Learning Rep, to pass on my experiences to others

and to encourage others to take up learning!’

Teresa Milner, ULR

How have ULR’s helped?

‘I took up British Sign Language Level 1 and passed

my exams in 2012. As a Union Learning Rep I have

also put on free taster courses in BSL to share what I

have learnt with others.’

Philip Tamlyn, ULR

‘I really enjoyed the confidence and assertiveness training. We had

a fantastic, enthusiastic trainer, who made the session enjoyable.’

‘I always enjoy learning new things and developing my skills.

Union Learning Reps have helped me continue to learn and find

courses for me.’

Have you ever wanted

to explore a new skill?

Or take up studying

again?

Would you appreciate

some help funding a

course?

Community Lives Consortium

staff are now able to apply for

a learning loan!

CLC will pay your course

fees, you will repay these

fees back monthly,

ALL INTEREST FREE!!!

Applications will also be looked at for computer equipment as well!

For more information, speak to your UNION LEARNING REP!

Do you love to read? Are you up for a challenge?

Read 6 books in 6 months!

Sign up to the Six Book challenge with your friends and work colleagues.

This will be starting again early 2014, please keep a look out for flyers and posters

advertising this challenge. OPEN TO EVERYONE!

Alternatively, please contact Julie Roberts or Marta Sztejka on 01792 646640 or email

julie.roberts@communitylives.co.uk / marta.sztejka@communitylives.co.uk

Union Learning Reps can advise on learning issues. If you have any other work place issues concerning disciplinaries, etc you should contact your UNISON steward. You can speak CONFIDENTIALLY to any of the Union Learning Reps. UNISON UNION LEARNING REPS - for learning needs / essential skills UNISON STEWARDS / WORKPLACE REPS - for workplace issues FAIR TREATMENT ADVISORS - for advice and support (these are NOT stewards or workplace reps)

The Union Learning Reps at Community Lives nominated the

company at the recent NIACE Inspire Awards 2013!

WINNERS!

Community Lives Consortium ‘Learning Workplace Award!’

‘I am thrilled at the achievements of Community Lives Consortium and the hard work of the Union Learning Reps! Well done on your award!’ Karen Fisher Connecting Learners Project manager

CONTACT US - Please feel free to contact us on email or by phone / text

Available from the hours of 9-6pm Monday-Friday

Julie Roberts

07790 035 579

julie.roberts@

communitylives.co.uk

Philip Tamlyn

07403 141 485

philip.ulr@gmail.com

Ceri Griffiths

07791 845 221

ceri2620@hotmail.co.uk

Rose Kosack

07791 722 140

Teresa Milner

07743 421 173

doris.junior@hotmail.com

Sharon Whitehouse

07531 478 140

sharon.whitehouse2@

virginmedia.com

Alison Williams

07565 544439

If you would like to join us as a ULR or to join our mailing list,

then please give your

details to a ULR

Find us on Facebook and Twitter

Community Lives ULR ULR_CLC

To help us organise suitable learning opportunities, please complete this form, REMOVE

FROM THE BOOKLET, and return to a UNION LEARNING REP. If you would like us to

contact you, then please include your information.

Essential skills / Dyslexia

Sign posting / referral

Awareness raising workshop

Online awareness workshop

Report writing

Managing your money

Improve your spelling

IT Skills

Basic Introduction

Using email and Internet

Managing spread sheets

Creating documents using WORD

How to use WINDOWS

Using social media

Internet safety and security

Skills

Communication skills

Confidence building & assertiveness

Time management

Dealing with conflict

Presentation skills

Meeting & chairing skills

Minute taking

Get that job!

CV writing

Searching for jobs

Interview skills

Job applications

Coping with change

Supporting people

Visual impairment awareness

Deaf awareness

Introduction to British Sign Language

Creating documents using WORD

Learning disability awareness

Understanding autism

Dealing with dementia

Equality and diversity

Stress awareness

Mental Health Awareness

Other

Union Learning Rep training

UNISON Return to Learn course

UNISON Women’s Lives course

One to one advice

Name:

Telephone number:

Email: