Clare Wicks is a 35 year old working mother from Watford and a Union Learning Rep.

"I work full time for Silverlink Train Services. About 3 months into the job I was approached by a colleague and asked if I had ever thought about becoming a Rail Union Learning Rep. I had never heard of them let alone thought about coming one, I thought that I would give it a chance and went to the meeting my college had set up for me.

After listening to what was said and thinking about what I could achieve I thought that I would give it a go. However I asked myself how could I expect anyone to take me seriously if I hadn't done any learning myself since I had left school. So I decided to talk to the very people that I was expected to send new learners to myself, I took myself off to Herts Trade Union Learning Centre and sat down and had a chat with them about what my learning needs were.

We decided on starting off with a basic computer course called Surf direct, I was on my way and when I passed that course and got a recognised certificate I felt great and I wanted more of that feeling so I did another course. I passed this and got another certificate I thought wow I've done this at 35 I have learnt something and I felt really good about myself. Now I felt confident enough to carry out my new role properly.

Since then I been going to meetings, giving talks to work colleagues, going to the company induction courses and giving presentations to new employee's infact, I have been doing all the things I would have never dreamed of doing before I got back into learning. I would never have had the confidence to do it. I have even applied for a better job within the company and got it. I feel none if this would have been possible if I hadn't taken that chance to learn something new.

I have set my sights higher now and one day would really like to manage a learning centre or do something along those lines I now have a passion for learning and have set my sights on passing the European computer driving course and I have no doubt in my mind that I will pass it.

So anyone thinking about going back into learning "Go for it" I have gained so much and lost nothing.

I must just add that having full support and backing of my Managers at Silverlink, never refusing me time off of additional training or telling me my ideas could not be implemented has encouraged me to start aiming for my full potential and together with the staff at the Herts Trade Union Learning Centre I have had a great support network so now I can safely tell people why getting back into learning is one of the best things anyone could do, I should know I'm living proof."