I became a ULR having been inspired to do so by my Regional Secretary, who saw in me the potential to communicate effectively with members.

He’d picked up that I’m a good listener, and that I’m keen to help members to improve their lives. So many members fail to see PCS as more than just a safety net when things go wrong, or a campaigning force over pay, terms and conditions, and in that they are missing some of the opportunities that we can show them.

I genuinely enjoy the challenge of learning new skills, so when I was asked to be a ULR, I embarked upon a journey of learning and developing my own skills, beginning with the ULR Stage 1 course. Sadly, like several others on my course, I came out with a little knowledge but no real notion of how I would actually turn the theory into actions. I found this deeply frustrating, so I set about drawing up a toolkit for ULRs that provides an effective framework for the role, with ideas to make events and activities interesting and inclusive, checklists for events.

At my very first event I met a member who told me that her ability to connect with her two teenage sons’ school work had been dented by her lack of IT skills, as most of their homework required at least a rudimentary understanding of IT or Microsoft Word. We had a chat and I made some enquiries about local learning opportunities, which I signposted her to. I was absolutely delighted to see the radiant expression on that member’s face the next time we met, when she reported how she had taken up IT skills training, and had been able to understand her sons and their homework.

Since those early days, I have found myself learning in order to be more effective in my ULR role, which has seen me taking a 30 hour course in IT myself, and where previously I’d been barely competent, I quickly became confident in my ability to produce quality materials, and I became co-editor of the MOJ Group Midlands Regional Newsletter. I have found learning utterly inspirational, and that once one has started on that new-found learning journey, doors open to new opportunities and new directions; with all of the changes that may come as a result of government cuts, I feel more empowered by my transferable skills, and more confident of being able to deal with whatever may come my way.

I worked with my ULR partner to develop a project called ‘Highlighting Learning’, which has twice received recognition from the National Institute for Adult Continuing Education, and an award from my employer, the Ministry of Justice; using this strategy we resurrected two moribund Branches, and have recruited more than 30 PCS reps over the years, including health and safety reps and ULRs. Union Learning is probably one of the most powerful organising tools we have, and our strategy recognises that and has organising at its heart.

I provide ongoing support to ULRs too, and in June this year helped one of them to run an event which had 100 attendees, and we encouraged a number to take up apprenticeships. 

Looking back over my 7 years as a ULR, I’ve achieved a great deal for PCS members, and also myself; as my new and enhanced skills have really boosted my self-esteem. In 2014, along with my partner on our learning project, I won the TUC Midlands Union Learning Representative of the Year award. I felt honoured to receive that award then, and I still do, but more than anything, testimonies such as the one in this article are the real reason that I’m proud to be a ULR. We help members to help themselves to change their lives, and those of their families, forever.