Krzystof Gogolewski works at St Mary’s Maternity Hospital in Poole as a porter, originally from Poland, Krzystof decided he needed some support to improve his English - this move lead him to set up an informal reading circle, along with Receptionist Allison Churchill, that has proved very popular throughout the hospital.

Jillian Ireland is a member of the RCM and one of a team of Union Learning Reps (ULRs) at the Hospital who have been supporting Krzystof.Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Learning Reps at St Mary’s Maternity Hospital in Poole have been very active over recent years. The team were awarded a unionlearn Call2Learn fund of £6000.00 in 2012 and their aim has been to enhance staff wellbeing through learning - something that has resulted in a number of learning initiatives ranging from Choir Singing to Rock Climbing.

Jillian said:

RCM learning reps first learned about 'Quick Reads' through unionlearn Union Support Officer, Keith Hatch, a couple of year's ago.

Krzystof had approached the learning reps for help in improving his English as he prepared for citizenship exams and this seemed a good way - as well as referring him to Unite's moodle English programme.

Krzystof and Allie are amongst our friendliest staff and they soon started spreading the word and the books. We have a number of staff for whom English is not their first language and this has been a nice learning opportunity for them as well as helping them feel part of the wider team.”

Krzystof started reading these small books and would take them with him while he moved around the hospital – both the maternity and main hospital sites. He began sharing, discussing and recommending them to colleagues. He then returns them to Allie on reception and they go around another circle of readers.

Jillian added that;

He doesn’t realize that he is, effectively running a reading circle and would be very modest and deny his pivotal role if he was put under the spotlight.”

Keith Hatch from unionlearn said;

The work that the RCM team of ULRs have been doing in Poole is an inspiration. They are always coming up with innovative ways to support staff across the hospital and the reading circle that Krzystof has started with their support is another example of spreading the idea of learning to all of the hospitals community.”

The learning reps are running a conference for support workers in Poole on 4th May 2016 – which is now fully booked and the TUC will be supplying a fresh batch of Quick Reads, including a set of recent titles for Krzystof.

Jillian has been involved with the event and added;

We will take this opportunity to expand the reading circle and see where it leads us. Krzystof is going to be busy!”