UNISON ULRs at Blackpool NHS Trust have got the reading bug and have set up a workplace Book Club to encourage staff to rediscover their love of books.

The Book Club has been going for just over four months and is run in partnership with The Trust’s library. The Trust co-ordinates it and the local UNISON branch pays for the tea/coffee and cake through Kickstart funding, which is available to UNISON ULRs to, amongst other things, engage learners by promoting ICT skills, maths and English.

Lead Learning Rep Jane Erye said

There are about 10 people in the club and we meet once a month in the staff restaurant. We advertise it on our Facebook page, and on our learning stalls that are held monthly."

Jane feels there are a number of benefits in having a book club for staff at the Trust

It encourages staff to read books that they might not normally read, and mix with other people that during the working day you wouldn’t normally meet.  It is very relaxed and informal and takes away the stresses of the day."

Though only just over a few months old the Book Club has been busy. They were involved in World Book Night, although they didn’t do it till June!

Jane said

So there were four of us from the Book Club and we distributed over 60 books to staff on the wards.  It was really nice to see staff get something for nothing and with no catches!   They were really grateful and happy to see us and it has encouraged us to go on the wards again."

Jane would encourage other workplaces to start their own book clubs as it is a good way of reaching a whole new audience, and showing what other learning opportunities are available through the union - and you get to meet different people and discover new writers.

Unionlearn is compiling a list of books for workplace reading groups. We are looking to find books with a connection to workplace which will engage, make people want to read more and raise a good discussion in the groups – for details visit www.unionlearn.org.uk/vote-ultimate-list-books-workplace-readers