In 2006, I was delighted to receive the TUC Union Learning Rep award whilst working in the financial sector. As my ten-year anniversary looms, I thought it might be a good time to reflect on where union learning has taken me in my career.

During the financial shake up and collapse of some of the major banks, I found myself in a redundancy situation. That was terrifying as I had worked at my employer for 21 years since leaving school. I had no idea what awaited me 'in the big wide world'.

Throughout all of the roles I had in my banking career, helping others develop and progress and switching on the 'learning light bulb' still remained my most rewarding activity. Scanning through multiple job websites and feeling overwhelmed, I looked to the union movement and could not believe my eyes when I saw 'my dream job' advertised working as a Union Learning Fund (ULF) Project Worker with a union for professionals.

To my delight and amazement I was appointed into the role that I held for six years. During this time, I trained and supported new ULRs, organised formal and informal learning events and was involved in supporting hundreds of members who had been made redundant with job hunting skills.

I ran learning events in castles and prisons from Inverness to Southampton. I truly felt that for the first time in my career I was making a real difference to people's lives. The ULF team were committed, inspiring and passionate individuals who always had the member's needs at heart.

I was also able to work from home, which, as a single mum, helped me tremendously. For the first time in 20 years, I was able to see my daughters in their school plays and be there when they came in from school. I had never experienced the convenience of flexible working. My work-life balance had certainly changed for the better.

In 2014, with the unions ULF funding looked like it was coming to an end, I decided to look for a more permanent position. What an easier decision that was to make – I wanted to stay working in union learning!

I applied for a Learning and Development Organising role with an education union and got the job. I have worked there for two years now and am so lucky to have been able to continue in yet another dream job. I love offering practical CPD to our members, but still find it hard not to build in some informal learning. I have recently organised a family llama trekking adventure, which even by my standards is a first!

In addition to my day job, I am still an active ULR and love to organise learning at work events for the staff at my union. Last May they learnt about gin distillery, NLP and mindfulness to name just a few. Organising events with virtually no funding is always a challenge but not impossible if you can be creative and of course persuasive.

I would encourage anyone who loves helping others to become a ULR, it is very rewarding and you also develop your own skills as part of the journey.

Who would have thought union learning would have taken me on such a journey to a career I love. I always thought 'dream jobs' didn't exist and people who said they loved their jobs were myths. I have worked with fantastic, inspiring learners and seen people grow both professionally and personally.

I have seen co-workers and families brought together by union learning, I have seen laughter and success. I have worked with innovative people who deliver innovative learning in innovative ways to their members… and those people are unions.