Learning in Northern Ireland

Our Activist and Member Learning Programme continues to be identified by members as one of our most important areas of work. Both programmes give support to members and activists especially at a time when employers are cutting back on their training and development programmes.

We offer over 180 workshops for all members across 90 topics such as autism, dementia, palliative care, mindfulness, supporting staff, resilience, bereavement, communicating effectively, interview skills, drugs and alcohol, epilepsy, Parkinsons, suicide awareness, dealing with stress and bullying.

UNISON offers the The Open University K102 Introduction to Health & Social Care module in partnership with Trusts.

This is a level 4 60 credit course and is a module on the Open Uni Pre-Reg Nursing programme and also a module on the BSc in Health & Social Care, BSc in Healthcare and Health Sciences and the BA in Social Work. 

It is open to any member of Trust staff to apply. We recruit in April/May each year.

We also offer education grants up to £300 for Open University modules, work related and non work related modules with specific bursaries for Open University modules, school support staff and care assistants.

UNISON and the Trusts funds a limited number of places on the K102 Introduction to Health & Social Care module. There is also a grant available through Student Finance NI. The criteria for a full grant is:

• household income below £17k (threshold increases if you have children under 18)
• do not hold a qualification above level 3.  

Household income is defined as income as per your P60 or March payslip of you and a partner (if applicable) - it doesn't include other people living in the house such as parents, friends etc.