Usdaw member Diane Muncey has always been interested in learning and helping others to develop their skills, so it was only natural that she was drawn to the ULR role – but as the pandemic hit the UK Diane had to go online to get her training.

Diane became the Union Learning Rep at the Tesco Leighton Buzzard store just before the Covid 19 pandemic – probably not the best time to start! But this didn’t stop her, and she has been busy building her skills and supporting learners ever since.

Divisional Lifelong Learning Project Worker Fred Behardien said:

I thought Diane would make a great ULR.”

She really enjoys learning and had previously been a football coach so she has lots of skills to bring to her new role. We haven’t had a ULR in the store for a long time so it’s a real boost to have a ULR.”

Diane explained:

Normally I would have attended my ULR training course but of course they were all cancelled.”

I was keen to do something to get started so when Fred passed on some information about learning on-line through Unionlearn and the Skills Network I signed up for two courses on Physical Health and Mental Health”.

Diane enjoyed completing her courses as she wanted something to take her mind off the lockdown and the courses were perfect. They also gave her experience in learning on-line – something she could use to help her members start or return to learning.

Completing the level 2 distance courses was just the start for Diane, as she explains:  

I am looking forward to starting my ULR training and completing more Mental Health training for my own learning.”

t’s not been a perfect start to my ULR role but I have received help in the store from my Shop Steward and also from other Learning Reps from our recently set up Divisional ULR WhatsApp group. That’s helped me to make a start.”

The amount of learning available through the Usdaw Gateway is fantastic. I was totally unaware of what was available until I became a ULR and I am getting better and better at helping others to get the most out of it!”

Fred is more convinced than every that Diane will provide a real boost for workplace learning at her store and said:

Diane is growing in confidence in difficult circumstances and already becoming an expert on using The Usdaw Gateway. Fred said:

When she gets her training, she will be a fantastic ULR. Her members are very lucky!”