Norma Sherwin hoped to set up a new business, but the Covid pandemic put paid to her dreams until she found support from Learn with Unite, and started online courses to build her skills.

Norma explained:

I left my job with a view to starting a new business venture in Complementary therapies including Reiki, Hopi ear candles, laughter yoga etc. Unfortunately within a couple of weeks, we were in lockdown due to Covid-19.”

Luckily Norma had a conversation with Tazim Ladhu, Unite the Union Learning Organiser. Tazim told her that, as part of Unite’s Union Learning Fund Project there were many courses on offer to members and non- members for free to help during the lockdown. Tazim encouraged Norma to take advantage of these opportunities. 

Norma said:

Whilst discussing the options, we agreed to have some focus for the future would not only help me prepare and plan my new business venture but would also help me to stay motivated and positive.”

The current surreal situation has left so many of us in a state of angst and it was really important to find something uplifting and rewarding to get through this time and also keep the future vision alive.”

To help Norma gain the skills that would help her start her new business it was suggested that she sign up for a business course through Open Learn, part of the Open University. She also decided to do a British Sign Language course – which was on offer during the pandemic.

Tazim helped Norma through the process and registered her for the course and also directed her to further learning about running a small business.

Norma said:

The learning was easy to follow and after each session you receive a summary and a test of knowledge with direction for any incorrect answers.  You can also see your progress at all times.”

Norma feels that improving her skills with the business course gave an overview and guidance on how to run a business, including details she needed to set up a successful business. It also covered things she would not have thought about including the various types of companies and individual responsibilities.

Norma plans to continue learning after this, and said:

I have always enjoyed learning and can see many courses I would like to do in the future.  There are courses of personal interest and also to complement my business venture such as Yoga and Crystal healing.”

Tazim was very helpful and went through the many free courses on offer and we decided to start with the Starting your own business first, as this was most relevant to me at the time.  She also advised me of the many courses available for Health and Well-being for myself and others.  Tazim was always willing to support me whenever I needed any additional guidance/direction, and helped me to remain positive and motivated during this very difficult time.”

Tazim said:

With the pandemic and lockdown, health and wellbeing has been paramount.  The Learn with Unite project offer includes an excellent range of online and distance learning courses for both personal and professional development as well as health and wellbeing.”

We have been pleased to support both members and non-members, at a time when they needed it most. Including Support to cope with working from home, Maths and English courses to refresh knowledge for home schooling, redundancy support-help with CV’s, job searching and reskilling and courses to look after both physical and mental health.”

Keep learning! it is one of the 5 steps to mental wellbeing.”

Norma would encourage anyone thinking of starting a course to embrace learning opportunities and Open Learn have so many free courses relevant to work and also for personal benefit. 

Receiving the Open University digital badges for the course completions is also a good record of achievement and tracking progress. These badges can be used and displayed in your social media profiles such as LinkedIn.”

I am very grateful to Tazim & Unite for the learning opportunity and all the support given.  This has benefited me greatly in both my personal and professional life.”

To find out more about free courses through the Skills Network talk to your Union Learning Rep or go to the unionlearn Skills Network page.