When I became a mobile union learning rep (MULR) in November 2017 I was told that part of my role was to write case studies about the people I had helped to get on to courses or how I had worked with organisations or companies to promote lifelong learning. I couldn’t have been happier because I have always liked writing. But it did make me think about why I have always been interested in writing and how my skills and confidence have developed.

My mother brought me a small book of poetry one Christmas called “My first fireside book of poetry”. It was not long after that I tried to write poems (although they were perhaps a little childish in the beginning, with time, they did improve). And though my love of English literature grew, unfortunately I struggled for many years with English language (grammar, spelling and punctuation).  I passed my English literature GSCE exam first time but had to take my English language GSCE exam 3 times before I obtained a c grade pass!

As a steward I had written reports for my Area Organisers so that they had all the information they needed. This helped me to learn how to take effective notes during the meetings and capture all the relevant information. I had also completed several home study courses and attended Usdaw Summer School 1 and 2 and these helped me gain vital skills in learning how to research topics. I also had to submit essays and this improved my writing skills.

At school I learnt that every story needed a beginning, a middle and an end. Summer school taught me that the “beginning” should be an introduction to the overall piece. This could include background info about the main character or maybe a little bit of a hint as to what the main part of the story will be about. The “middle” should be the main part of the story, containing most of the content of the story. Finally, the “end” should act as a conclusion, drawing all three parts together and contain what may come next or in the future. Most of all it should literally end the story and leave the reader in no doubt, that it is the end of the piece.

My writing was further developed when I was an organiser on Usdaw’s Academy programme. I improved my grammar skills, spelling, punctuation, layout, writing in the past and present tense and how to use writing about yourself in the third person. But I think the most important skill I learnt was to always proof read your work at least twice, and read it aloud, this gives you the opportunity to make changes to your work if you decide it’s not giving the reader the correct narrative or leading the story in the direction you had not intended.  I had tutorials with a Ruskin college tutor who gave me many vital pieces of advice but the one thing he was most insistent on was that I should not change my style of writing. He told me that I had a way of bringing the story to life for the reader.

This brought back memories of what I had been told many years before, when I had been on Camp America, an exchange programme to America. Whilst there I had kept in contact with my A-level religious education tutor and wrote to her every week detailing my exploits. I told her that I had written a poem which had been published in the camp newsletter. She wrote back to me after every letter she received and told me to keep writing as she was reading my letters to her classmates back home.

She also advised me to keep a journal, make notes on sights, sounds and feelings - not just events that took place. She told me to include as much detail as I could but not to change my style of writing. At the time I never really understood what she meant but twenty odd years later, when I heard the same advice, I knew exactly what it meant.

So, by the time I came to write my very first case study I had worked hard to improve my skills. I got more help at a MULR forum, when the Usdaw case study co-ordinator spoke to us about what a case study should contain. I learnt about linking it to the work that the union does, how the work that is done by the reps improves people’s lives and many other useful tips. He also spoke about how they can be used to celebrate success of either the learners or reps, how they can show progression through learning. And of course, they help to raise the profile of the union, providing valuable evidence of the work that the union is doing to promote lifelong learning. This helps when the union puts in their bid every year for funding.

Usdaw’s case studies are also picked up by unionlearn for their online publications on the TUC website. I wasn’t aware of that until 2019, when I was told that one of my case studies was to be published. Brimming with pride and excitement I could not wait to share the news with friends and family. I never imagined that I would have my work published. What surprised me even more was that when I read the published piece very little had been changed!

The surprises didn’t end there. Not long after, I was told that another piece was to be published as a blog - again very little had been changed from the original piece. My self-esteem and confidence in my writing ability began to rise and I decided to look at what creative writing courses were available. So far, I have shortlisted three courses from the Alison.com website that I intend to do including a Diploma in English language and literature.

I have realised that I get a great deal of enjoyment out of writing, not just because it is telling someone’s story but also because it caters to my creative side. Perhaps one day it might be possible to change careers and take up writing (in some form or other) on a permanent basis.  I know that I have got a lot more to learn before that path can be taken. I also need to think about what type of writing I would like to do -whether it’s becoming a journalist or writing novels/poetry or human-interest stories. There are many avenues to explore, and much more learning to do. 

In the meantime, I will continue to write my case studies for Usdaw and unionlearn – I have had several more published by unionlearn. I always carry a notebook to write down my thoughts and feelings even when I go away on holiday. I continue to write in my spare time as well whether it’s the occasional poem or anything else.  Where this particular story will end, has not yet written - but it will most definitely be written by me.