Wales TUC Cymru
Y Rhwydwaith Rhagoriaeth
Network of Excellence
Net News
Brief notes from the four ULR Network meetings held in Jan/Feb 2015
Aberystwyth Thursday 29 January
Present: Sally Joyner, Kevin Pascoe, Kim Dimmick, Diane Jones, Richard TaylorLowen, Richard Speight, Hazel Marsh, Julie Freeman, Yasmin Rayner, Tudur Evans,
Bernice Waugh. 11
Apologies: Mark Rees, Lynne Connelly, Denise Owen, Alan Hinchcliffe, Samantha Clutton,
Helen Gornall, Rick Ward.
Newtown Tuesday 3 February
Present:Sally Joyner, Treena Davies, Anne-Marie Mason, Chris Dodds, Bernadette
Phillips, Tudur Evans, Yasmin Rayner, Angela Baugh, Bernice Waugh. 9
Apologies: James Braidwood, Mark Rees
Carmarthen Wednesday 4 February
Cancelled because not enough ULRs were able to attend.
Cwmaman Friday 6 February
Present: Val Bailey, Maria McAndrew, James Clarke, Anne Reardon-James, Paula
Morgan, Rhian Hartwell, Anne Newbury, Sophia Williams, Bill Powell, Wally James,
Claire Lewis, Martyn Reed, Gregg Davey, Llion Bevan, Liz Plenty, Lisa Edwards, Nicola
Murray, Vincent Board, Sean Driscoll, Lila Lawes-Davies, Pam Stanton, Joss Andrews,
Nicola Savage, Lisa Francis, Roger Jones, Anne Jenkins, Bernice Waugh. 27
Apologies: Kevin Pascoe, Vanessa Francis, Matthew, Sue Da’ Casto, Vicky Watkins
Bangor Wednesday 11 February
Present: Anita Curley, Jean Richards, Richard Speight, Claire Betteley, Rachel Jones,
Marie O’Mara, Kevin Pascoe, Ian Rowley Laura Westwood, Kirsty Wynne, David
Hawkins, Liz Hughes, Liz Jones, Barbara Hale, Angela Baugh, Sarah Gaffney, Ann
Bierd, Ceri Lewis, Bridget Cassidy, Craig Stamp, Bernice Waugh. 21
Apologies: John Thompson, Chris Hall, Helen Mead
Contact details for providers and project managers who attended are on page 9
News from ULRs and Reps from around Wales
Each of the 4 meetings had event and course news from ULRs, Reps and WULF
project managers. The generosity of all present to share information about contacts,
prices, funding etc regarding courses in workplaces across Wales is what makes the
meetings work. Thank you!
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Courses & events in Workplaces around Wales
ULRs, Reps and project managers reported on a wide range of courses from Welsh
language, stress management, mindfulness, defensive driving and dyslexia to
producing newsletters and computer skills and more…
News from education and training providers
Thank you to all the providers for their support at the Network meetings for ULRs.
Glyndŵr University
Foundation Degree: in Learning Support
Learning and Teaching or, Special Education Needs
The courses will help you gain valuable skills for the education support sector; broaden
your understanding of your role in an educational setting and increase your
understanding of children’s learning and the educational system. Get in touch 01978
293439 or enquiries@glyndwr.ac.uk
New Health & Social Care degree course
Want a career in health and social care? Our new degree can help your employability in
the health and social care sector an area of growing opportunities. Full and part time
courses. Get in touch enquiries@glyndwr.ac.uk or 01978 293439
Solar Photovoltaic training courses
Attendees at the introductory course cover fundamentals of PV and emerging
techniques with emphasis on photovoltaic materials, system design and manufacturing.
Get in touch 01978 293135 or enquiries@glyndwr.ac.uk
Improving Employment outcomes for care leavers
A project to raise awareness about the issues that care leavers face in employment and
to offer support to them and to employers. Could ULRs offer support in the workplace?
Ann and Sarah introduced the project and informed the Bangor meeting about the
training available for those who would like to be involved. Initially, this project is based in
the Wrexham area.
If you can help or you want more information contact Sarah Lou Gaffney 01978 293575
or Ann Bierd 01248 382284.
Recommended web site:
Honest John www.honestjohn.co.uk/winter-tyres/ Includes:
Winter driving tips
How to drive safely in heavy rain
How to cope with snow
7 tips for tyres & more
Wales TUC Events
 Reps Update Wednesday 11th March at 9.30 – 4 15 Village Urban Resort
Swansea
 Equality Briefing 16th April at 9.30 – 4.30 Cardiff City Stadium Cardiff
 Mental Health Awareness Seminar Thursday 30th April at 9.30 – 12.30 Future
Inn, Cardiff
Contact Gavin Pearce gpearce@tuc.org.uk 02920 347012
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Nest - FREE support to help reduce your energy bills
With winter still here, it is important to take some simple steps to make your home as
warm and energy efficient as possible. Nest could help with this b01978 293439y
providing advice and support on reducing your energy bills, and free home energy
improvements to eligible households.
You can get FREE advice and support:
Nest can provide advice to everyone across Wales, via a free-phone number on:
Saving energy
Benefit entitlement
Money management
Energy supplier support
Fuel tariffs
Energy efficiency schemes
How do I contact Nest?
Call us free on 0808 808 2244 or visit www.nestwales.org.uk/Contact-Us and we’ll call
you back.
Partnership Development Rick Ward rick.ward@est.org.uk
07903 443655
OU in Wales
Kevin Pascoe for the OU in Wales informed members about the 20 new healthcare
courses available from Futurelearn: https://www.futurelearn.com/ Free online courses
from top universities.
A useful, practical and free support booklet: http://www2.open.ac.uk/students/_data/documents/disabilities/booklets/studying-when-you-aredeaf.pdf?go=1
An interesting free unit on OpenLearn on hearing –http://www.open.edu/openlearn/sciencemaths-technology/science/biology/hearing/content-section-0
This is the link to the OU in Wales website to download the new OU Access prospectus.
It’s worth remembering that these modules can be studied for free if learners meet the
eligibility criteria which are in the link www.openuniversity.co.uk/ug-access
Coming up: BBC 2 Inside the Commons, Ch 4 Dementia, BBC 2 Waste Man
Free materials from the OU accompany the programmes.
WEA Cymru
A ‘pop up’ shop in Bangor to show case learner work and to offer taster and ‘have a go’
sessions on a wide variety of subjects, photography, crafts social media and others.
Find a WEA course near you - http://www.weacymru.org.uk/en/courses/find-a-course
Free Welsh Taster courses contact Wally James: wally.james@weacymru.org.uk
Contacts: North: Tudur.evans@weacymru.org.uk yasmin.rayner@weacymru.org.uk
Mid & south Bill Powell William.powell@weacymru.org.uk
WEA Cymru & YMCA Wales in Discussions
YMCA Wales Community College and WEA Cymru are in discussions with the aim of
creating a new, stronger body serving the whole of Wales. The new organisation would
be better able to respond to local and regional learning requirements.
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Hearing Loss and Lip Reading
Sally Joyner was a CWU ULR and rep for several years before she trained and qualified
as a lip reader in Manchester.
Sally spoke about hearing loss and lip reading when she spoke at the recent ULR
conference in north Wales. She regularly attends ULR Network meetings most recently
in Aberystwyth and Newtown.
“Hearing loss is serious. Unfortunately most people don't do anything about it until it
begins to affect them.
At the moment around 1 in 5 people have some form of hearing loss. Hearing loss is
isolating and can lead to people withdrawing from situations in their life often because
the people they deal with are not aware of how they can help.
I can help. I am able to deliver bespoke sessions, taster sessions and half or whole day
sessions in your workplace with groups of reps, branches and members. The cost of a
session is kept to a minimum plus travel costs. Based on the border in Shropshire I can
go to all parts of Wales.
My sessions can include: parts of the ear and how it works
 types and levels of hearing loss
 experience what it can be like to have hearing loss - through exercises and
videos
 communication with people who have hearing loss (useful for members who are
customer facing in their job or reps who need to be able to communicate
information to members)
We can do exercises on the psychological issues relating to hearing loss and how
hearing loss fits in with equality. I raise awareness of the Access to Work scheme. I
also offer lip reading taster sessions. These are some of the basics and I can work with
you to have a session that fits your and your member’s requirements.”
Contact me, Sally Joyner, sallyjoyner24@gmail.com T: 7905 9558410
ACT Training & development courses
ACT has a suite of courses to provide skills and knowledge that will enable you and
your members to be more effective in work.
Courses are short, tailored and delivered by qualified and experienced assessors using
the latest technologies and online resources.
Prices are from £95 and discounted block bookings are available. Courses can be
delivered in Cardiff, Wrexham and in the workplace.
For more details about the courses contact Claire Mirbelle 02920 464727 or
clairemirbelle@acttraining.org.uk
Act are also offering: Maths in a Flash and Words in a Whizz. These are refreshers
and take half an hour to an hour.
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Fairtrade Fortnight
23 February – 8th March
There is still time to order!
Fairtrade Fortnight 2015 Action Guide The Action Guide contains everything you
need to know about Fairtrade Fortnight 2015, including case studies and producer
stories, as well as resources and ideas for activities and events. It's the perfect place to
start!
It also contains an insert with further information on community activities and campaigns
ideas - this is designed to be printed and folded, explaining why the top of page 17
appears to be upside down!
A welsh language version of the Action Guide and community insert are also available.
(Click on the links to download)
Acorn Training
Acorn offer a range of courses including apprenticeship qualifications, NVQs, (some of
which carry up to 20 university credits) and advice and guidance.
Contact Sean, Sean Driscoll 01633 663000 sean.driscoll@acornpeople.com
Careers Wales
What is CareersWales.com? See the video here: http://www.careerswales.com
Shelter ‘Work it Out!’ Project
The Work it Out project promotes housing and debt advice information to people who
are in employment and who would not normally seek assistance through traditional
advice routes, thus preventing homelessness and raising understanding of the issues.
We are offering this service because:
People in employment are least likely to be connected into a network of support
or help services in the same way as are care leavers, single parents and people
with disabilities.
Given the reduction in public spending in Wales and the full impact of welfare
reform on individuals it is likely that as more people face changes in their working
conditions, the need for independent information and advice will be increased.
Free, expert housing advice, tools and downloads
If you have an urgent housing problem call 0845 075 5005.
If your problem is not urgent, browse the website, http://www.sheltercymru.org.uk/getadvice/get-advice-online/ which contains information on a huge range of housing related
issues. If you need more help, you can email us your enquiry.
Information can go on the workplace intranet and/or newsletters. Leaflets can be
posted to ULRs for distribution (free).
Llion Bevan llionb@sheltercymru.org.uk 01792 469400
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Arfon Dwyfor Training Ltd
http://www.adt-ltd.com/
ADT are bilingual providers of vocational training throughout Wales. Short courses and
essential skills courses. ADT are a flexible training provider who work on a daily basis
with union learners. For information contact: Nicola Murray Nicolamurray@adt-ltd.com
Vincent Board vincentboard@adt-ltd.com Liz Hughes Liz@adt-ltd.com
Cardiff & Vale College
http://www.cavc.ac.uk/en/courses/love-it-learn-it-short-courses-all/
CaVC have a brand new city centre campus with state of the art facilities. CaVC are
promoting their ‘Love it. Learn it.’ courses. Click on the link and browse: - Art Craft and
design, baking, beauty and complementary therapies, DIY, Languages and personal
development. They range from a half day to short courses running across eight weeks.
Contact
Anne Reardon-James areardon-james@cavc.ac.uk Gregg Davey gdavey@cavc.ac.uk
Wrexham Itec
Wrexham Itec has been delivering flexible training for the public and private sectors for
over 30 years. Itec deliver modern Apprenticeships, a wide range of commercial
courses and essential skills.
http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/education/itec/
Claire Betteley Claire.betteley@wrexhamitec.co.uk Kirsty Wynne
Kirsty.wynne@wrexhamitec.co.uk
Act Enhance Ltd
The Inspire Course.
Our aim is to get each and every participant to think about what they want from life. We
appreciate that life can throw us obstacles but we believe if someone wants something
strongly enough, then through preparation, determination and perspiration, it is
achievable.
The course is accredited through Agored Cymru, with 16 hours contact time (this can be
flexible to suit the participant’s needs). Courses can be delivered in the classroom
and/or via outdoor pursuits.
Included: Confidence Building, Target Setting & Motivation, Positive & Negative
Thinking, Team Building Skills, Health & Well Being, Communication Skills, and
Employability Factors
http://www.actenhance.org.uk/in_introduction/
Rick Stratton-Thomas Tel: 07826 924 564 rickstrattonthomas@actenhance.org.uk
Essential Skills
The overall aim of Act Enhance is to provide adults with the opportunity to gain skills
and qualifications in order that they have the necessary skills to progress in their
personal and professional lives.
ACT Enhance staff ensure that each and every lesson challenges the learner, through
fun and interactive activities. These courses are accredited through City and Guilds.
Lila Lawes Davies 07809 339 215
lilalawesdavies@actenhance.org.uk
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A470 Training
Rachel Jones came along to tell us about a new course she is delivering. RenewYou is
a brilliant one day personal development course for women. Hundreds of women so
far have participated in a RenewYou course and they have unreservedly loved it
RenewYou is a great confidence booster and a fabulous opportunity to take stock and
reflect on what you want from the next 12 months. The name says it all; you’ll leave
feeling renewed and re-energised after this friendly, relaxed, yet powerful one day
course which is all about you and what you want from life. Rachel is planning a course to
be delivered in March – contact her to find out more. Rachel@A470training.co.uk
Engage Training
Liz Plenty came along to the Cwmaman meeting to talk about Engage Training.
Engage provide high quality training programmes that are delivered by highly
experienced tutors please visit engage-training.com for further information.
Training is delivered from one of their brand new buildings with state of the art facilities
based in the heart of Bridgend Industrial Estate.
Areas of expertise:
 Apprenticeships
 Work-based learning including NVQs
 Assessing and Verifying qualifications
 Short courses, including legislative training such as 17th Edition Regulations
 ReAct and ProAct initiatives
Contact Liz for more information Elizabeth Plenty Eplenty@bridgend.co.uk
Easy News
Easy News is the first news magazine designed to be accessible for people with
learning disabilities.
Politics and the news are often inaccessible to people with learning disabilities because
of the use of jargon and difficult language - that's why we decided to create an easy
read news magazine.
Here, United Response President Martyn Lewis CBE discusses the birth of Easy News:
http://www.unitedresponse.org.uk/easy-news
Members at the Bangor meeting who had copies of Easy News were impressed with the
quality of the newsletter. Other uses for the magazine were suggested: - ESOL,
communication skill courses language courses and as a way of instigating
conversations.
ULR Network Meetings
An enormous amount of information is exchanged at Network meetings – far more than
can be listed in the notes of the meetings. The next meetings in July could be your
opportunity to find new contacts, find out about funding and new courses and meet up
with other ULRs. See the dates on page 9.
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Who was there?
Sixty –eight people attended the 4 meetings
ULRs and reps from 10 unions: - Community, CWU, GMB, PCS, RCN, UCATT, UCU,
Unison, Unite, USDAW.
12 Workplaces: -, Powys Health Board, Cardiff County Council, Cartrefi Cymru, Welsh
Government Llandrindod Wells, HMRC Wrexham, Kellogg’s, Conwy County Borough
Council, Natural Resources Wales, Cwm Taf UHB, Royal Mail Gwent, Aberystwyth
University, Tesco Stores Ltd.
8 WULF Project managers from: Communitas
Lisa Francis
DigiSkills Cymru,
Richard Speight
RCN
Valerie Bailey
UCATT
Marie O’Mara
NUT,
Hazel Marsh
USDAW
Pam Stanton
Unison Cymru,
Bridget Cassidy
Unite the Union
Ian Rowley
12 Learning Providers from:
A470 Training Rachel Jones
Acorn Training, Sean Driscoll
ACT Training, Bernadette Phillips
Lisa Edwards
ACT Enhance Lila Lawes-Davies
ADT Ltd
south, Nicola Murray
Vincent Board
north, Liz Hughes
Bangor University
Ann Bierd
Cardiff & Vale College
Anne Reardon-James
Gregg Davey
Engage Training Bridgend College
Elizabeth Plenty
Glyndwr University
Kim Dimmick
Sarah Gaffney
Open University in Wales, Kevin Pascoe
WEA Cymru,
North Tudur Evans
North Yasmin Rayner
Mid & south Bill Powell
Welsh Language courses Wally James
Digital Skills
Claire Lewis
lisafrancis@communitas.org.uk
digiskills.cymru@gmail.com
Valerie.bailey@rcn.org.uk
mo-mucatt@live.co.uk
H.marsh@nut.org.uk
Pam.Stanton@USDAW.ORG.UK
b.cassidy@cartrefi.org
wrexhamULR@gmail.com
Rachel@A470training.co.uk
sean.driscoll@acornpeople.com
www.acttraining.org.uk
lisaedwards@acttraining.org.uk
lilalawes-davies@actenhance.org.uk
Nicolamurray@adt-ltd.com
vincentboard@adt-ltd.com
Liz@adt-ltd.com
a.bierd@bangor.ac.uk
areardon-james@cavc.ac.uk
gdavey@cavc.ac.uk
www.engage-training.com
Eplenty@bridgend.co.uk
K.Dimmick@glyndwr.ac.uk
S.l.gaffney@glyndwr.ac.uk
Kevin.pascoe@open.ac.uk
Tudur.evans@weacymru.org.uk
yasmin.rayner@weacymru.org.uk
William.powell@weacymru.org.uk
Wally.james@weacymru.org.uk
Claire.lewis@weacymru.org.uk
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Quality and Learner Involvement Martyn Reed
Martyn.reed@weacymru.org.uk
Wrexham Itec
Claire Betteley
Claire.betteley@wrexhamitec.co.uk
Kirsty Wynne
Kirsty.wynne@wrexhamitec.co.uk
Plus speakers from:
Lip Reading and Hearing Loss Sally Joyner
Work it Out Project, Shelter Cymru
sallyjoyner24@gmail.com
Llionb@sheltercymru.org.uk
Essential Skills project workers from Wales TUC
North & mid Angela Baugh
Abaugh@tuc.org.uk
South & west Anne Jenkins
Ajenkins@tuc.org.uk
Wales TUC Development Officers:
North Barbara Hale
Bhale@tuc.org.uk
West Roger Jones
Rjones@tuc.org.uk
WTUC Equality Network
Nicola Savage
Nsavage@tuc,org.uk
ULR Network of Excellence
Bernice Waugh
Bwaugh@tuc.org.uk
07717 307265
07827 321725
07747 775393
07833 158627
02920 347010
07917 415601
ULR Network Dates
Save the date!
Tuesday
Wednesday
Friday
Tuesday
Wednesday
7 July
8 July
10 July
14 July
15 July
Merthyr Tydfil
Brecon
Carmarthen
Swansea
Colwyn Bay
The theme for the July meetings will be Equality and Learning. Equality Reps will be
invited to join with ULRs in particular at the Merthyr, Brecon and Colwyn Bay meetings.
Come along and find out how to make learning accessible to all. Book your place
contact Bernice Bwaugh@tuc.org.uk
If you are a ULR, union rep or union member interested in learning and you would like
to be added to the circulation list and/or send in a contribution to the newsletter then
please contact:
Bernice Waugh ebost/e-mail: bwaugh@tuc.org.uk Ffon/Tel: 07917 415601
Same details when you need to unsubscribe. Diolch yn fawr, thankyou.
Bernice Waugh
Swyddog Prosiect/Project Officer
Y Rhwydwaith Rhagoriaeth Network of Excellence
Ffon/phone 07917 415601
e-bost/email bwaugh@tuc.org.uk
Wales TUC Cymru 1 Cathedral Road/ 1 Heol yr Eglwys Gadeiriol Cardiff/ Caerdydd CF11 9SD
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