In October 2000, an innovative partnership project began in Morecambe Bay Hospitals to promote lifelong learning and skills development for all staff, particularly those staff without professional qualifications.

The union-initiated project brought together 17 partners in all; Trust management and the hospitals' joint union committee, local learning providers, guidance organisations and TUC learning services. It was designed to raise the profile of learning, address inequities in access to training and development for key staff groups and give every member of staff the opportunity to learn - whatever their job and whatever their circumstances.

A key foundation of the project was the recruitment and training of Learning Representatives. These learning representatives have helped individuals access funds to support learning - initially these were DFES Individual Learning Accounts (over 700 members of staff signed up for these) more recently, NHS Learning Accounts. Reps have been working with a number of staff to help them develop personal learning plans.

Additionally, a collective learning fund has been set up to provide financial support for staff; 3 learning centres have been opened, 2 of which give access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to allow staff to learn at a time that suits them. An extensive learning survey became the base for offering staff learning opportunities that they asked for - and a series of free 'taster' learning sessions were planned and delivered with a local FE college partner.

Working in partnership - especially with the Trade Unions - has delivered huge benefits for both the organisation and individual staff. The most significant difference made is making an inclusive approach to learning actually happen - all staff now have increasing access to a more flexible and broader range of learning opportunities in Morecambe Bay.