UNISON Ulearn Northern Ireland

I started out working in the Royal as a domestic or an orderly as we were called then 27 years ago. I left school at 15 with no qualifications because I hated school, I felt I was treated differently because I came from a poor family. I got married at 18 years old and had two children. It was only when I was left on my own with two children under ten that I had to go out to work. I went for a job in the health service because of the security it offered. Fifteen years ago I moved from being a domestic to a nursing auxiliary and have been doing that ever since.

I did the Return to Learn a good while ago now. When I heard about it, I was interested, but I dithered, I didn’t know if I should go or if I’d be able for it. I nearly didn’t but I took the bull by the horns and it was the best decision I ever made. Shauna Kane was our tutor and she was great, the course went at our own pace, I didn’t feel pressurised, it was my own choice whether to work or not, but it was so enjoyable I didn’t mind working on the assignments. The residentials were great as well because you met people just like yourself. I really got great satisfaction from it and it was Return to Learn which kick started me on the path to learning.

We had discussions in the class about what we’d like to do next and I was interested in learning about computers so I went up to the Lenadoon Community Forum and started doing a CLAIT class. I really enjoyed it and went on and completed other courses up to a Diploma in IT and some RSA exams.

I also went on the UNISON Women’s Health & History weekend. It was fantastic, we had great discussions on how women’s roles have changed over the years and about maternity issues how it’s moved full circle back to being midwife led. It was also really interesting to hear about people’s different experiences growing up depending on where they lived, the girls from the country had very different experiences to mine. It’s one of the best UNISON courses and I thoroughly recommend it whether your young or older like me.

I’ve also completed the Building Confidence for Women and Stress Management. Even though I retire in three months time, I still want to keep doing courses, UNISON has provided me with so much of my learning over the years. I really think that not enough people take advantage of the learning opportunities which UNISON offers.