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organise !
Community, Voluntary and Private SectorJune 2015

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Blended learning hailed a success!

Six newly-elected Stewards
from Surrey joined others from
across the Region in the very
first Blended Stewards Course
last month.
In the Community and
Voluntary and Private sector,
activists often find it difficult to
access UNISON training due to
hostile employers.
This course, the first of its
kind, has been successfully
piloted in the South East, and
was driven by Surrey County
branch, with the assistance of
Victoria Olisa, who has been
working on a National Housing
Association Project, focussing
on Anchor Trust, one of Surrey
County UNISONs biggest
Standing, L-R: George, Vuyani, Terrie, Mick, Graham (TUC Course tutor), Ruth, Tanya (Branch
employers.
Caseworker). Seated, L-R: Rose, Louise (Fighting Fund Local Organiser, Surrey), Victoria
The course took place over a
(Fighting Fund Local Organiser, Housing Associations), Karen (with assistance dog, Guiseppe).
month, comprising of 3 x classroomBelow: Course delegates presenting to the group
based sessions on alternate
Saturdays, with course delegates completing a
number of activities in their own time in between
sessions.
This format enabled activists from unrecognised
workplaces, who cannot get time off for trade
union training, to complete the Organising
Stewards Course, without having to impact on
their work pattern, and still benefit from the
interaction of classroom-based study.
This was the first course of its kind, it is unlikely Fully understanding what is expected of a rep
to be the last, as more and more activists across
the region face the same challenges. UNISONs
Interesting Such energy! I am not alone!!
ability to meet the needs of all of our activists in a
Invigorating to meet like-minded people Meeting other reps
Energising and has made me feel more confident in my workplace!!
climate of outsourcing and privatisation will be
Gave me confidence
My manager has noted a change!
crucial in the next five years.

Time weekends easier for me to attend

Care Sector Stewards network

UNISON: here
when you need us
When to call UNISON
UNISON offer several different kinds of advice,
including personal Injury, pensions, as well as
employment advice.

Workplace issues
Please contact the Branch office on 020 8541 9091,
and please leave a message if you do not get through
to someone. Our phones get very busy in the branch,
but messages are checked several times a day and
somebody will get back to you. Alternatively you can
email unison@surreycc.gov.uk or email the branch
caseworker directly on
tanya@surreycountyunison.org.uk
If you can include as much detail as possible, who you
work for, and a summary of the problem it is useful.
You can also call UNISON Direct, which is available
out of normal office hours, from 6am until midnight Mon
-Fri, and 9am-4pm on Saturdays. The freephone
number is 0800 0 857 857.

Legal Advice
You can contact UNISONS legal services on 0800 0
857 957, they can provide free legal advice on
personal injury, serious injury and industrial diseases.
Basic will writing services and reduced rates for
conveyancing.

Pensions and financial advice Advice

UNISON members are entitled to a no obligation
consultation with a qualified advisor from
Lighthouse. They are able to give advice on Public
sector pensions and other financial advice. The
website for this is www.lighthousefa.co.uk telephone
08000 85 85 90.

Emergency Criminal Law Support

If you are arrested contact the 24 hour legal helpline
one 0800 587 7530. The helpline is operated by
Thompsons Solicitors.

There for you

There for You, UNISONs registered charity, provides a
confidential service for members over the phone or in
person if you are experiencing personal
difficulties. They can also provide debt advice,
wellbeing breaks (subject to certain criteria), and
financial assistance. In an extreme situation they can
arrange emergency payments at short notice. There
for You can be accessed from the main UNISON
website, but can also be contacted on 020 7121 5620.
If you would like the a copy of the advice card from
Thompsons, or for There for you please contact the
branch office.

Surrey County UNISON

has an increasing number
of stewards from across
the Care sector, working in
either the Community and
Voluntary, or Private
sector.
We are working towards
building a network for
these activists, where they
can meet regularly, share
L-R: Tanya (branch caseworker), Helen,
ideas and experiences, and
Rose, Karen, Sheila, Louise (Local Organiser, support each other in their
Surrey) at a recent meeting for Stewards in
role, in this rapidly
the Care Sector.
growing area.
If you are a Steward in this sector, or a Workplace Contact who is
thinking about the next step, please get in touch with Tanya San Juan
at the branch. Tanya is the Branch Caseworker, (pictured far left) and
also supports new stewards in the Community and Voluntary, and
Private sector. Contact tanya@surreycountyunison.org.uk

Additional
member
benefits
Our support doesnt end when you
leave the workplace. UNISON has negotiated
a range of exclusive deals and discounts with a number
of suppliers. We have chosen reputable companies that
provide value and good customer care to be part of our
UNISONplus package, which is designed to add real
value to your membership. UNISON members can save
up to 250 with UNISONplus and over time could save
you the cost of UNISON membership many times over.
You can save on breakdown cover, financial advice,
savings and mortgages, holidays at home and abroad,
health and dental plans, home, pet and travel insurance,
car insurance, car purchases and a range of legal
services. For more information on all offers available visit
www.unison.org.uk and click on the UNISONplus icon at
the bottom right of the page.