Women’s Lives is a course designed for women who may have been away from learning for some time.
It will help you gain the skills and confidence to study, learn or do something new.
It is particularly suitable for women who have been out of education for a long time and have had few educational opportunities in the past.
Women members from all walks of life and work backgrounds have benefited from the course.
With your increasing confidence and skills you’ll find it not only helps you in your job but also outside work with things like taking part in group activities, helping the kids with homework, making yourself heard and finding new opportunities.
The course is run in a welcoming and supportive environment. It’s not like going back to school! There are no exams to take. You will work at your own pace and level. When you complete the course, you will receive a certificate from the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) who run the course for us.
What’s in the course?
You will work through four units which have lots of short activities and assignments including understanding of issues relating to women, studying women’s experiences, note taking and presentation skills.
It will give you vital skills in areas such as:
• Developing new study skills and brushing up on rusty ones
• Looking at experiences at work, family and in the community
• Investigating a topic of your own choice which is relevant to women
• Taking the opportunity to think about your future plans
With the support of your tutor and the rest of the group, you will ease back into learning, improve your confidence and have fun and be able to think about and decide what to do next.
How is the course run?
The course is delivered on behalf of UNISON by a tutor from the Workers’ Education Association. The tutor specialises in working with adult learners and will help and advise you throughout the course. We invite you to a very informal information session, to find out more, before the course starts.
You will join a regular study group, with other women UNISON members. The group will meet every two weeks or so for four months. This is usually in the evening at a local venue and at times to suit your group. Each group session will last about two hours and you’ll want to spend time between sessions working on the topics.
The weekend is held at a venue where you will have a private room with en suite bathroom.
The groups are very informal with opportunities to swop ideas, experiences, develop your study skills and to help you prepare for working on your own. It is exciting and fun as well as challenging!
Who is it for?
Women’s Lives is for women with busy lives, family and other commitments. Many women are used to looking after other people’s needs. This is an opportunity to set time aside for you!
All costs are paid for by UNISON.
What will it cost?
Women’s Lives is free to any UNISON woman member.
UNISON pays the cost of all materials and out of pocket expenses.
UNISON can also help with childcare or dependent costs.
When is it happening?
Two information sessions will be held on Saturday 14 July starting at 10am and 11.30am and take about 90 minutes. These will take place at Bedwell Community Centre, Stevenage SG1 1NA
The course will start in September 2018, with groups meeting every Saturday morning from 10am to 1.30pm per week until late November.
Saturday 15 September | Bedwell Community Centre |
Saturday 22 September | Bedwell Community Centre |
Saturday 29 September | Bedwell Community Centre |
Saturday 6 September | Novotel, Stevenage |
Saturday 13 October | Bedwell Community Centre |
Saturday 20/Sunday 21 October (residential weekend) | Novotel, Stevenage |
Saturday 3 November | Bedwell Community Centre |
Saturday 10 November | Bedwell Community Centre |
Saturday 24 November | Novotel, Stevenage |
Ideally you should attend all of these days.
The residential weekend will be held at the Novotel, Stevenage on 20 and 21 October. This is an important part of the course so you do need to attend. Costs for child/dependent care will be provided if necessary.
I’m interested in finding out more about the course.
What do I do next?
As the course will be starting soon in your area, all you have to do is download and complete the enquiry form to let us know you are interested and whether you will be able to attend the information session.
You can also let us know by emailing Nicola Churchard or by telephoning the regional education team on 01284 772119.
You won’t have to decide until after the information session whether to enroll or not so you have nothing to lose by attending. Don’t forget any UNISON member can enroll on the course so if you have any friends or colleagues that may be interested, let us know and we will contact them.