The Union Learning Centre, e-Café, based at Ashworth Hospital, is the central hub for the Trust Union Learning Representatives. The Centre covers a wide geographical area for the Trust including 43 sites from Southport, St Helens and South Liverpool. We have approximately 6000 staff providing a wide range of Mental Health Care from Learning Disabilities, Drugs and Alcohol, Adult Mental Health, Medium Secure and High Secure services.

The centre is available at various times including evenings, weekends (depending on demand) and drop in sessions throughout the lunch hours. Within the centre and Trust wide there are a variety of training courses available including Introduction to NVQ’s, NVQ’s, various levels of Life Skills including Maths, English, IT, language courses and many more which do not necessarily have to be work related. Within the centre we have an IT suite with LearnDirect (available soon) and other various IT courses from a basic introduction to an intermediate level, along with a training room for more interactive learning. For some courses you may have to pay a small fee, and Union Learning Representatives will discuss this with you.

The benefits to the organisation of encouraging this are equality of access to training; a more skilled workforce; recruitment and retention of staff; personal development and career progression for all staff; new training opportunities and improving the working and personal lives of staff.

For more information, contact Lorraine Lewis, Tony Freel or Pat O’Rourke on 0151 473 2948 / 2949.

The High Down Union Learning Centre is situated in the new mess and staff facilities block outside HMP High Down between the Visitor's Centre and the staff car park. It is a bright, airy and quiet suite of rooms. Staff have made comments on the pleasant environment within the centre. There are facilities for hot and cold drinks in the suite as well as the mess facilities along the corridor.

The centre covers both High Down prison and Downview prison with the contact to 700 staff. There is also the advantage that Coldingley and Send prisons are under 45 minutes away.

Staff can access the centre on

The lunch hour is a popular time for drop in sessions and e.cafe. There are a variety of courses on offer including Spanish, Deaf Awareness, Introduction to Computers, CLAIT 1, CLAIT 2, ECDL, plus various levels of Life Skills including Maths and English.

For further information please contact the centre on 0208 661 2491.

Hatfield Learning Centre is located at Moorland Open Prison three miles from HMP Moorland and HMP Lindholme and seven miles from Doncaster Prison.
We have an IT suite with full internet access; private rooms are available for one to one interviews and classroom provision. We have adequate parking facilities and are on one level which enables disabled access.

Opening Hours are:
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9.30 to 20.30
Monday and Friday 9.30 to 16.30
The centre is open as an internet café and drop in centre over the lunchtime period for everyone.

Courses are delivered by Tutors from Doncaster College, Doncaster Adult Community Learning Service, Learn Direct or by Centre staff. We aim to make learning as flexible and as accessible as possible to all staff their family and friends. Fees are payable for some courses, although we have tried to ensure that we remain competitive amongst other providers.

Both members of staff at the centre are fully qualified to offer impartial Information, Advice and Guidance in complete confidence.

We are committed to providing new training opportunities and improving the working and personal lives of staff through lifelong learning.

Haverigg Key Learning Centre was officially opened in May 2003, after a number of staff from HMP Haverigg had been trained as Union Learning Reps and set about providing lifelong learning opportunities for fellow members of staff. Although predominantly POA members, there were two PCS ULR's involved at the time.

The centre is located outside of the Prison, in a room in the Prison Officers' Club.

The centre is currently open every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between the hours of 10.00-14.00 and 15.00-19.00.

The centre was the first within the POA (UK) Learning Fund to be connected to 'learndirect'.

The centre provides IT courses, leading towards ECDL and CLAIT. Although not an ECDL testing centre at the moment, this is being pursued. The centre can offer testing for the 'CLAIT Suite', and is registered with OCR.

The centre has forged links with Furness College (Barrow) who are providing learner support and delivering courses for the staff of HMP Haverigg. Hopefully this venture will extend beyond what is currently being offered.

The centre also has an agreement with the local JobCentre Plus, who refer clients who are looking to improve their employment prospects by gaining qualifications.

We hope to provide a wider range of learning opportunities over the coming months and years. We can support ‘distance learning’ opportunities for those that prefer learning from the comfort of their own home.

If you need any further information you can contact Pete France on: 01229 776061 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Centre Manager: Teresa Clifford

Tel: - 01795 880040

email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Learning Centre at HMP Norwich was first opened on the 14th march 2005. It is situated at the rear of the staff mess, has full disabled access and is outside of the two secure complexes at Norwich, so is open for all staff and family members.

The Centre Manager is Patrick Setters a serving prison officer who is seconded to the POA for three days a week and has been granted permission from his Prison Governor to work in the centre for the two days he is in the employ of the Prison Service. This is an important point to make as it shows the commitment that HMP Norwich is making to the setting up and continued success of the overall project. Patrick is assisted by Dave Barber who is employed as Learner Support. Dave is not a Prison Officer but has had many years experience teaching Adults

The opening times are currently:

Monday and Wednesday:   08:00 to 20:00
Tuesday and Thursday:   08:00 to 16:00
Friday:   08:00 to 15:00