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YORKS AREA NUM ULF.PROJECT
LEARNING CENTRE SET-UP FROM "INCEPTION TO FRUITION" (JULY 2008- TO DATE) CASE STUDY
THORNYCROFT MINERS CENTRE PONTEFRACT.
IN JULY 2008 BOTH THE PROJECT MANAGER & WORKER UNDERTOOK VISITS TO THE THORNYCROFT DISABLED MINERS CENTRE TO ESTABLISH CONTACT WITH STAFF & MEMBERS ALIKE. IN AN INFORMAL SETTING. THIS EXPANDED TO A FORMAL MEETING WITH THE CENTRE MANAGER MARIA BLACK.
GAVE ADVICE TO 12 MEMBERS WHO HAD EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN THE PROJECT AFTER PUTTING THEIR NAMES ON A LIST PROVIDED BY THE CENTRE MANAGER AFTER SEEING OUR POSTERS.
BY SEPTEMBER WE HAD ATTENDED ON A REGULAR BASIS TO FORGE A RELATIONSHIP WITH MEMBERS ATTENDING THE CENTRE. A FURTHER 12 PEOPLE EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN THE SKILLS FOR LIFE COURSES.
WE GAVE A DEMONSTATION IN THE CENTRE'S IT SUITE AFTER ESTABLISHING THE INTERNET CONNECTION 7 GAVE AN INITIAL 8 MEMBERS AN INSIGHT INTO THE NUM WEB SITE AND INTERNET OPTIONS. 2 MEMBERS ALSO EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN THE PENSIONS CHAMPIONS COURSE.
AGREEMENT WAS REACHED WITH THE CENTRE MANAGER THAT WE WOULD ATTEND THE CENTRE FOR THE MAJOR PART
OF A WEEK & GIVE DEMONSTRATION OF LAP TOP COMPUTER USEAGE , IN TOTAL 40+ TOOK AN INTEREST WITH SOME FIRM ASSURANCES THAT THEY WOULD HAVE A TRY.
AGAIN MET CENTRE MANAGER WHO ASKED IF WE WERE INTERESTED IN BECOMING TRUSTEES OF THE CENTRE TO AID BOTH THE CENTRE IN ITS QUEST FOR CONTINUED GRANT S FROM THE ORGANISATION C.I.S.W.O AND TO GIVE OUR PROJECT A SENSE OF LONGEVITY AND CREDIBILITY. THIS WAS AGREED AND BOTH MAURICE AND CHRIS WERE CO-OPTED ONTO THE TRUSTEESHIP VIA THE TRADE UNION. THET ATTENDED THEIR FIRST MEETING AND EXPLAINED WHAT THE UNION LEARN PROJECT WAS ALL ABOUT AND HOW IT FITTED IN WITH THE POLICIES AND AIMS OF THE UNION.
NOW FIRMLY ESTABLISHED A FORMAL MEETING TOOK PLACE IN NOVEMBER TO DISCUSS SETTING UP A LEARNING CENTRE. WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM UNION LEARN LEEDS REGIONAL OFFICE IN ATTENDANCE. WE WERE CONFIDENT IT COULD BE ACHIEVED WITH THE LEEDS STAFF SOMEWHAT CAUTIOUS.. WE WENT AHEAD AND CONTACTED LEEDS COLLEGE WITH THE AIM OF SETTING UP A MEETING EARLY IN THE NEW YEAR.
"NEW YEAR NEW BEGINNING"
A MEETING DID TAKE PLACE WITH LEEDS COLLEGE STAFF MARIA BLACK & OURSELVES AND AGREEMENT REACHED WE WOULD ARRANGE 2 OPEN DAYS TO GUAGE INTEREST IN SUPPLYING COURSES FROM THE CENTRE. POSTERS & FLYERS WERE DEVISED AND DELIVERED IN THE SURROUNDING AREA. ALSO ATTENDED ANOTHER TRUSTEES MEETING TO EXPLAIN OUR STRATEGY & HOW THE PROJECT WOULD BENEFIT THE CENTRE. 1 OPEN DAY WAS HELD TO COINCIDE WITH A PROMOTION OF THE WORK CISWO CARRY OUT.THE NEXT 1 WAS PRIMARILY FOR THE UNION LEARN PROJECT WHICH TOOK PLACE IN EARLY FEBRUARY THIS WAS WELL ATTENDED AND THE "FREEBIES" WERE EAGERLY "SNAPPED UP". MORE IMPORTANTLY A DEMONSTATION OF LAP TOP & PROJECTOR
USE WAS WELL RECEIVED WITH FIRM COMMITMENTS TO COURSE ATTENDANCE IN "SKILLS FOR LIFE. 30+ MEMBERS ATTENDED WITH 12 SIGNING UP FOR THE FIRST COURSE COMMENCING AT THE END OF THE MONTH.THERE WAS A WAITING LIST OF 10 MORE MEMBERS +.8 MORE WHO EXPRESSED A WISH TO ATTEND A NIGHT CLASS..
BEARING THIS IN MIND WE HELD A "TEAM MEETING" & DECIDED TO INVEST IN A PRINTER TO HELP WITH THE SET UP OF THE LEARNING CENTRE WHICH WAS DULY HANDED OVER TO CO-INCIDE WITH THE FIRST CLASS TAKING PLACE.
THIS CLASS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED WITH THE NEXT FOLLOWING ON THE NIGHT CLASS STARTED WELL BUT TAPERED OFF SOMEWHAT. THERE IS SCOPE FOR SOME MEMBERS TO GO ON TO THE NEXT STAGE WITH SOME MORE MEMBERS WHO HAVE APPLIED.ALREADY WHO ARE ALREADY PROFFICIENT ENOUGH TO PROCEED TO THIS STANDARD. WE WILL SEEK TO INTRODUCE A FORM OF DEPOSIT (RETURNABLE ON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE) FOR THE NEXT NIGHT CLASS
WHILST EXPERIENCING A SET BACK IN THAT LEEDS COLLEGE HAVE NO TUTORS AVAILABLE TO DELIVER I.T. COURSES WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT JIM SCOTT & TREV SARGISON HAVE RESOURCED ALTERNATIVE REPLACEMENTS FOR COMMENCEMENT EARLY IN THE NEW YEAR.
THE I.T. EQUIPMENT WILL BE REPLACED BY MORE UP TO DATE HARDWARE FROM CASTLFORD COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTRE. (WHICH IS A SPLENDID EXAMPLE OF LEARNING CENTRES NETWORKING & DISPLAYING BEST PRACTICE )
FOLLOWING MEETINGS HELD BETWEEN THE PROJECT TEAM, THORNYCROFT CENTRE MANAGER, & LEEDS REGIONAL OFFICE UNION LEARN TEAM., ADULT LEARNING WEEK WOULD BE MARKED AT THORNYCROFT BY HOLDING EVENTS OVER 3 DAYS DURATION.
THE UNION'S SOLICITORS PROVIDED A WELFARE & BENEFITS WORKSHOP, WITH THE PROJECT TEAM ON HAND TO ASSIST MEMBERS WITH ACCESS TO I.T. SUITE WHICH IN TURN GAVE ACCESS TO WELFARE BENEFITS INFORMATION VIA THE INTERNET. THIS IS NOT ONLY AN EXERCISE IN HELPING OUR RETIRED MEMBERS OBTAIN THE CORRECT LEVEL OF BENEFITS THAT THEY ARE ENTITLED TO CLAIM BUT IT ALSO GIVES THEM A SOUND BASIC SKILLS IN I.T.
2010 BIENNIAL CONFERENCE HILTON HOTEL BLACKPOOL JUNE 25TH -27TH .
YORKSHIRE AREA NUM. UNION LEARN STALL
Pictured (L-R) Maurice Kent ( Union Learn. Project Worker) Keith Stanley (Acting National President N.U.M) Chris Skidmore (Union Learn Project Manager/Yorkshire Area NUM Chairman)
The Union Learn (Yorkshire Area) Project stall was again present at the Union`s Conference & was promoting a number of key learning issues.
All Delegates, Officials & visitors attended the stall at some point in the proceedings & took advantage of the promotional items available. Attendees were treated to a lap-top providing information about the T.U.C.`S Union Learn Project & the N.U.M `s Heritage featured in the Yorkshire & Humber Union Learn Magazine. The lap-top also provided the opportunity to access the NUM Web Site & associated links to the Union ie. the D.W.P.& various heritage sites dealing with various aspects of pit life. A photographic display of various Community educational events organized by the Union Learn Project team since the projects inception provided the backdrop to the stall.
The Project had ensured that the popular “Quick Reads” were available as were a selection of general knowledge quiz questions for visitors to participate in.
Information & structured advice was provided on a wide range of issues including availability of courses, time off to train, time off for trade union duties & employer support & participation. An emerging topic this year was
for the provision of information & understanding of carbon capture & clean coal technology. An issue which the Project will address with the Area Education Sub Committee.
THORNYCROFT CRAFT CLASSES March 2010
INTRODUCTION
Following a" questionnaire" session at the Thornycroft centre where people were asked what aspect of Adult Learning they would be interested in attending. Also that our project had made a commitment to engage ex miners & retired miners in learning & to offer learning opportunities that are accessible to all in the Mining Communities, we decided to organize a "Craft Class at the Thornycroft Centre. Realizing that this type of course would also enhance the principle of "Informal Adult Learning" we embarked on the design & delivery of leaflets & posters advertising the Course.
Working in partnership with "FABRICATION" from LEEDS a specialist provider in Craftwork we were able to provide learning opportunities 2 days a week for the Month of March.. The classes were invaluable in providing not only a sense of well being but a sense of purpose, inclusion, equality & diversity & encouraged basic skills for life learning.
DELIVERY
Using the facilities at Thornycroft .provided the ideal venue for a creative craft course. The attendees were quick to recognize that the NUM Project had delivered what they had promised to do, thus building an atmosphere of harmonious participation & engagement. The course was also useful in that impartial advice & guidance was readily available and fully supported the individuals choice & creativity. 15 people ( both sexes were represented) attended the sessions enthusiastically on both the Monday & Thursday of each week throughout March, with interest expressed in taking up other learning opportunities that the project provides.
CONCLUSION
The Project got the chance to contribute to the local community's mental & physical well being (the Centre is building up a good reputation for the provision of healthy, freshly prepared & affordable meals) The Course provided an opportunity to support social contact for people who wanted to " get creative" . The Centre Manager Maria Black commented that "Everyone enjoyed the course immensely & the course further enhanced Thornycroft's reputation as a Community Learning Centre that provided something for everyone".
LOCAL COUNCILLORS SUPPORT NUMs LEARNING AT WORK DAY
The Pontefract Miners Recreational Centre "Thornycroft" was chosen as the venue for this years Learning At Work Day following consultation with Maria Black the Centre Manager, who is also a member of the projects steering group. The Centre was established in 1924 & originally provided a Library, Recreation Athletics & Pleasure Grounds for Mineworkers and their Families. The Centre is open 5 days per week & as well as attracting local people through its doors, specially adapted buses bring people in from Traditional Mining Communities.
The Centre has recently added a "Befriending Scheme" to its many attributes encouraging more people to attend the Centre in an effort to combat the problems associated with social exclusion. the Employees from the Groundwork Team who look after the Befriendind Service the Kitchen & Cleaning Staff and those that work for the Coal Industry & Social Welfare Organisation all attended the event, which included an introduction to I.T, information on Diet, Fitness & Healthy Eating, a display of NUM Archive History & a "Pick Up A Free Book initiative" that was aimad at encouraging people back into reading. The theme was based on promoting learning both in the traditional form and through introduction to I.T & the benefits that learning provides.
A number of local people called in responding to the NUM's poster campaign & partook of the free refreshments available. Visitors also included a number of Local Councillors & Former NUM Branch Officials who were impressed by the work of the NUM's project this has resulted in a meeting being arranged with the Project Team & the Full council for Mid July.
The Project were also pleased to welcome Mark Ball from the Regional Unionlearn Office in Leeds to the event. The success of the initiative can be measured by the number of people in attendance, which numbered over 100 in total. Len, George and Alan who make up one of the regular "Card Schools" wer impressed with the books & reminisced about their mining careers to Groundwork Members Julie & Jade. Julie also contributed to the discussions by describing her experiences in the 1984/1985 "Miners Strike"& the hardships suffered by so many families in the Mining Communities.
Caroline Reminisced about her Father in Law who had worked for 38 years at Sharlston Colliery. Two of the CISWO staff Ian & Kevin were Particularly impressed with the Archive Display. 77 years old Ged was pleased to have ben able to attend and asked if there would be a similar event next year as he had thoroughly enjoyed it!
Pictured L-R Maurice Kent (Project Worker) Jack Kershaw (Ex AcKton Hall NUM Official) Carole Grason David Grason (Ex AcKton Hall & Kellingley NUM) Chris Skidmore (NUM Project Manager) Clive Tennant (Ex Wistow NUM Official) 
ULF Round 10 /11
End of Year Report 31/03/09
The end of year report is an important aspect of the overall Ulf evaluation. It provides the Ulf team with an overview of the successes and barriers you may have encounto date. This report will from the foundation of taking your project forward.
1. Briefly describe your original objectives. (Use your key themes as a reference point).
Embed learning & organising into the NUM strategy. Encourage a new safer working culture into the workplace, promote Health & Safety education. Encourage all members, either working or ex and retired (some members still qualify for membership who are not retirement age) to grasp the opportunity that the NUM ULF project is providing. We wish to set up Learning Centres and sign learning agreements with providers and employers.
We would like to encourage members to become ULRs & ensure that our members have access to learning opportunities. Providing our communities with a sense of pride,belonging & achievement through learning is a key aim of our project.
2. Briefly describe the strategy for delivery of the project aims
We believe that to achieve the project aims we have to provide stability & longevity in order to get our members to believe that the project is sustainable(ie "not here today-gone tomorrow") Previous initiatives have not lived up to peoples expectations nor have they been long term. We will engage with outside bodies ie. Adult Education Services within local councils, Employers, the membership to make sure they are aware of their rights, deliver posters, flyers, arrange demonstrations and hold "open days" at accessible venues. We will make use of the Union's Web Site & Journal to further promote the project aims. We have a large working area to cover, in order to ensure equal treatment for all members we are prepared to travel & work long hours to ensure our members get the best out of the project.
3.Please complete the following table.
Do you have yes no
An action plan x
An Organisational chart x
A Steering group x
Team meetings x
Newsletters/publicity x
Website link to learning x
4. Describe how your action plan supports the aims and objectives of the project.
.The Action Plan is based on good trade union practice
. Works towards a better standard of Health & Safety education
. Ensures we do not discriminate or preclude members
. Follows Union policy in acting on Conference decisions
5. Explain the main barrier/s to your project.
Lack of confidence in long term delivery & sustainability. Failure of previous government initiatives. Member & Employer Apathy, reluctance to embrace change. Shift patterns and manning levels are a big issue at the collieries. Availability of Tutors, cancellation of courses at short notice. Lack of a previous ULF project. Management attitude to education & training which they are not in control of. Management are reluctant to release staff in "key roles" for career development training in case they decide to leave to take up an enhanced opportunity outside the pit environment.
6. Please can you give a few examples of case studies that have been developed within your project?
John Picken of South Elmsall(Nr Pontefract) a retired NUM Branch Official, who still runs an NUM Advice Surgery Branch in the village, attended the Pensions Champions Course in February and had never switched a computer "on" before. He had never researched information or material on the Internet before and did not know what a Web Site was. John is 69 years old, the look of pride in his face when he received his certificate was living proof that the project works. Similarly Vic Lindsay 70 years old of Rossington (Nr Doncaster) also attended the same course and has the same background as John , was similarly impressed with the course and tuition he received. Commenting "this is the first certificate I have ever received for schoolwork" !!!
We will attach the case study of the Pontefract Disabled Miners Centre (Thornycroft) with this completed form.
7. In this year have you achieved your Union Learning Representatives target? (Give reasons why you may have missed this particular target) No the target was not achieved due to HR Managers withdrawing permission to attend ULR courses. Courses have also been cancelled due to lack of numbers, applying on a regional basis. Also membership apathy due to managements attitude.
8. Describe how you aim to maintain and embed Union Learning Representatives numbers.We will provide sufficient training opportunities, relevant and useful information from ULF & TUC publications. We will also provide personal support to any member wishing to undertake the ULR role. We will continue to meet employers and provide them with supportive information regarding the benefit of ULRs.
9. Please describe how you have engaged with Government initiatives such as Train to Gain and the Skills Pledge. Through Learning at Work Day & in negotiation and discussion with employers.
10. What strategies have you used within your project to engage employers? Give examples of success and failure. We have sent copies of Union Learn course content( ie TUC Health & Safety Stage 1) to employers, copies of TUC & Union Learn publications ie( "Leaders in Learning") we have done personal presentations to management . In fairness to the employers there is no disagreement with the literature or data - just a reluctance to release the interested members of the workforce.
11. Name the Sector Skills Councils your project is engaged with. The difficulty we have encountered with the Sector Skills Councils is that they do not offer anything that a Colliery Manager or Human Resources Manager can relate to within the Coal Industry. We endeavour to illustrate to employers what they will gain as well as the member, to our mind we cannot do this with this particular activity.
12. How do you link your project to your sector skills negotiator? Please see Item 11.
13. What steps have you taken to ensure equality and diversity are embedded into your project? (Give examples of any good practice). By ensuring decisions about recruitment & selection,promotion ,training and any other benefit will be made objectively, without discrimination. Which again is good trade union practice.
14. What training provision have you put in place to ensure your project team has the appropriate skills set to take the project forward? Before the inception of the Union's ULF Project the Area/National General Secretary discussed the attributes needed to take the project forward within a specialised workforce and close knit mining communities, with the ULF Regional Office in Leeds. The project staff undertook the ULR course and have enrolled on other learning opportunities that have unfortunately been cancelled.
15. What strategies are in place to mainstream learning initiatives over the next year? Both the ULF web site and the UNION LEARN Auditors identified Project Planning & Risk Registration as "tools" to use to take the project forward. This has been taken "on board" by the project., as strategy to promote good practice in the future.
16. Please describe what support your project has had from unionlearn both nationally and regionally. The Regional Development Worker has provided both practical and theoretical guidance. E;mail guidance has also been of benefit. Visits from both Regional and National Officers have provided help & guidance with Finance and Administrative queries.
17. Name two things you would do differently in the next twelve months 1,Concentrate on specific targets rather than attempting to chase up every lead and enquiry. 2,Use less jargon, 3, Ensure that all project work is documented.
18. What lessons have you learnt so far from this project and what could be improved in the next year of the project? Never be surprised, do not get depressed, only smile at your successes be they big or small. Do not be impatient. Follow the Action Plan
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