Usdaw learning reps at the Tesco Bury store have seen a lot of success with organising around learning campaigns with a mental health theme, with a full year of events and activities to help colleagues.

Sue Sowe, the Mobile Union Learning Rep, and Jeanette Boote, the Union Learning Rep, worked together to get buy in from Store Manager Chris Stewart to run a Mental Health Awareness themed campaign with help from the Royal Literary Fund.

This campaign was very successful in raising awareness and also led to the recruitment of two new ULRs: Heather Hampson and Caroline Scully.

The success of this campaign has inspired the entire rep team and resulted in the store to put together a calendar of events and campaigns for the next year.

Items suggested include Lifelong Learning campaigns such as World book day, World Autism day and World health day, as well as putting a Lifelong Learning spin on mainstream Usdaw campaigns - LGBT history month, together against hate, Supporting parents and carers.

The team also want to be involved in campaigns around relatable world events - School climate strikes, International workers day, Plastic free day.

Amanda Marshall the store’s People Partner has seen the value of these campaigns and is very supportive of Lifelong Learning. She has requested another Mental Health Awareness course so more staff can attend and also a Cancer at Work course, to help managers understand how better to support staff at this difficult time.

The new ULRs Heather and Caroline are very enthusiastic about their new roles and Heather having finished the first part of her ULR training is planning on getting involved with the Royal Literary Fund to drive interest in RLF workshops in her store, as well as taking ownership of the Read Ahead bookcase in her store.

Usdaw ULF Project Manager Ann Murphy said:

Tesco Bury is an excellent example of where buy in from the management, the enthusiasm of the Union Learning Reps, and the support of the entire Union team is enabling a culture of learning to develop in a long-term manner at this store.”