Take Part 2 of Our Lifelong Learning Needs Survey

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Data Protection Declaration: As we are collecting personal information about you, we need to check that you understand what this data will be used for and that you are happy with that. Learner information is collected by UNISON in order to target learning opportunities and needs. The information will not be used for any other purpose and will not be used by a third party without your consent

Take Part 1 of Our Lifelong Learning Needs Survey

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Data Protection Declaration: As we are collecting personal information about you, we need to check that you understand what this data will be used for and that you are happy with that. Learner information is collected by UNISON in order to target learning opportunities and needs. The information will not be used for any other purpose and will not be used by a third party without your consent.

Chase the January Blues Away at the Library

King’s Lynn Library staff will be trying to entice staff at Priory House to become a Norfolk library members in the new year as part of their annual Join Up January campaign.

Did you know…?

·        There are 47 County Council library buildings in Norfolk?

·        And 13 mobile libraries that make regular stops across the county, particularly in more rural areas?

·        That you can borrow up to 15 items from the library at any one time?

·        We have books from paperbacks, hardbacks, large print, audio tape, CD and playaway. We have everything from Diary of a Wimpy Kid to Fifty shades of grey!

·        That you can renew items online or over the phone?

·        That you can return your items to any Norfolk County Council library?

·        That the library service has licences to a number of paid-for websites that members can use for free, including www.ancestry.co.uk that allows people to trace their family history?

·        That you can borrow maps and travel guides from the library at no cost?

·        That you can access high-speed internet and your email for free?

·        That Norfolk County Council has a digital library that allows all library members to download and borrow eBooks for free from the comfort of their own home? When the period of the loan has run out, the eBook simply disappears from your PC or compatible e-reader. Find the digital library at http://digitallibrary.norfolk.gov.uk

More than 5,000 people joined the library in Norfolk in January this year, double the number that joined in December 2011. It’s free to become a library member and quick and easy to do so, and a library card really is a passport to lots of opportunities for all ages.

• During January, a voucher sheet with offers on DVD hire and book reservations among others will also be available to members when they borrow an item from the library. There will only be a set amount available though so make one of your new year’s resolutions to visit to your local library soon to avoid missing out.

Come along to meeting room B on Thursday 17th January from 9-12 to find out more about your local library and sign up for your free library card. If you haven’t used your library card in the last year it probably won’t be valid, so come along and we can sign you up again!  

Look out for more information on the libraries pages of the County Council website (www.norfolk.gov.uk/libraries) and the Join up January news.

Come Along to Free Heritage Talks at the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library This Winter

Try Your Hand at Some Craft Events at the Norfolk Record Office

Free Online Learning

The Internet has a wealth of information if you know where to look. Check out these free lifelong learning resources.

Alison: Free online courses in a variety of subjects ranging from computing, languages to gardening. Courses are free to study but there is a charge to receive a certificate.

BBC History: Information about tracing your family tree and articles about world history.

BBC Languages: Short interactive courses on languages.

British History Online: A resource for local history in Britain.

British Library: Free online learning about literature, history and art.

Flexilearn Openings Modules: A partnership between the Open University and Unison to provide free bite size learning for our members.

Good Food Channel: Get recipes and watch videos on how to cook new food.

Khan Academy: Over 3800 education videos covering everything from biology to finance.

Knit Witch: Free videos demonstrating how to knit and crochet.

Live Mocha: A variety of languages courses at all levels.

New Scientist: The website of the popular magazine containing articles about how science links with society.

Open Learn: Free online learning from the Open University.

The Crafty Writer's Creative Writing Course: A online course for beginners to creative writing.

The Union Makes Us Strong: The history of the Trade Union Congress and the trade union movement.

Trade Union Ancestors: Information on the forming and history of modern trade unions.

TUC Learning: Online Union Rep courses, including eNotes bite sized courses on subjects like equality law, information on sick notes and paternity leave.

Free Training and Activities for Unison Members

Start the New Year Off Right with Some Lifelong Learning from Unison

A New Year, A New Challenge? 

In partnership with UNISON Learning, Norwich City Football Club's Study Centre will be hosting free computer classes. The sessions will run for 2 hours every Tuesday starting January 22nd for 10 weeks over the spring term.   

During the 2 hour session you will develop basis computer skills, using Microsoft packages and explore social media and internet. You will have the opportunity to tour the stadium at Carrow Road and take part in a photography challenge. 

To learn more come to our taster session at Norwich City Football Club's Carrow Road Study Centre on Tuesday 8th January 2013 5pm -6pm.

                                                           

Earn a Certificate in Stress Awareness

 This free course enables delegates to  look  at  their  own work, work place, colleagues and themselves, in order to identify stress, and to help in controlling it. It is an essential element of any stress management strategy in a work place.

 Learning outcomes; by the end of the course delegates will be able to:

   Define work related stress.

   Understand stress as an occupational hazard.

   Identify basic workplace stressors.

   Develop basic controls for work-related stressors.

   Understand how stress fits into health and safety legislation in the UK.

 The subjects covered are:

 1.   The   various   definitions   of   stress, and separating   work and non-work related causes.

 2.   The   effects of stress on individuals;  physical,  mental, emotional and out of work.

 3.   The effects on the  employer (costs   of   stress,   benefits from control).

 4.   The factors causing stress (based   on   HSE   Management Standards for Stress).

 5.   Recognition of stress in yourself and others.
                  
 6.   How risk assessment can be used for managing stress.

 7.   The range of available control measures.

A Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) Course.

The course will take place January 14th, 21st and Feburary 4th from 5– 7 pm in mez 2 at County Hall, Norwich.

What's Your Story?

Do You like to write short stories, novels or poetry? During lunch on the last Thursday of every month Unison Lifelong Learning will be holding a creative writing club. All levels of writers are welcome from beginners to published authors. Share your work, get ideas and write some flash fiction during the meetings.  The club’s first meeting will be Thursday January 31^st from 12-1pm in Mez 2 at County Hall, Norwich.  

To book onto a course or for more information please contact Melissa Brown
Unison Learning Project Worker at melissabrown.unison@btconnect.com or call 07717517564.


Take Yourself Further, Get Involved with Unison
                        
More free training is available from the Eastern Region for Unison Learning Reps and Unison Stewards: http://www.unisoneastern.org.uk/education-and-training/representative-training/course-calendar/ . Unison training is not just for steward duties. Training such as Assertiveness for Women, Health & Safety Rep training and Chairing Meetings can give you valuable skills that can transfer to the workplace.