ATL

Croydon revival

A thriving ATL branch has sprung up in the far reaches of south London, providing local members with support and advice. Report speaks to one of the ATL members making a real difference in Croydon. Words by SJ Griffin

As one of the four branch officers, Carole Horstead has played a key part in developing the Croydon branch. She sees it as an opportunity to give something back to the union and help others benefit, just as she has done.

"Like many people, I got involved with the union when I needed their help in sorting out a problem. They were so helpful and supportive, I really wanted to give something back," says Carole. "So, at an annual general meeting I found myself elected as branch president and joint-secretary. I'm also a union learning rep."

Carole works alongside Brendan Fitzgerald, her fellow joint-secretary, Patrice Diby and Mary Auguiste-Ernest. Together they have given ATL members in Croydon a much-needed focal point. "There are lots of ATL members in the Croydon area, but for some reason the branch itself had just died a death. It's been important to get it up and running again."

Carole teaches Spanish and French at Virgo Fidelis Convent School and juggling the demands of teaching at a senior school with union organising can get a bit hectic.

"It does keep me busy, but now that I have facility time it's much better. Getting things started took a bit of time because people weren't really used to how [the union] worked. In a way we were breaking new ground," says Carole.

The branch officers undertake a variety of activities and commitments that keep the branch going. Carole gets involved in management issues and regularly attends local authority meetings. She can be asked to take part in a range of consultations, looking at issues from redundancy to restructuring.

The branch officers also spend time going to meetings, telling people what ATL is all about and extolling the benefits of membership. Recent events for newly qualified teachers provided a great forum for just that. "I turned up in my bright yellow ATL t-shirt, looking really different from the other union reps, and people really responded to that," says Carole. "It's all about getting out there and raising awareness of ATL and all the things we can do for people."

In the last year or so, the work the branch has been doing has not only raised the profile of ATL in the local area but has also made a difference to the members. They have really noticed the benefits that having an active branch can bring.

"I think people have noticed what a difference it makes having someone local to call. The London office is fantastic; I know that from all the times I've called them, but I think people appreciate having someone on the end of a phone in Croydon, who knows the area and how it works.

"We can also get out and about more. People have told us that it's really important to them to see that we are real people, not just names on a business card."

The profile-raising is certainly paying dividends, with more and more people turning to the branch for help. "We get a lot of messages now from people saying that they have been given our details, or someone suggested that they get in touch, which is really great. It means that our message is getting out there and people know that we are here to support them," says Carole.

It has not been without challenges. A key role for the branch officers is answering members' queries, something that was quite daunting at the beginning.

"I am much more confident now. At first I thought I had to have all the answers, but now I know that it's fine to say I'll get back to someone within 48 hours, or to pass them on to another person who can help them," explains Carole. "The training that ATL has given me has made a real difference. It was fantastic and really gave me the skills that I needed to help people."

So, what's next for the branch? There's no time for a break to catch their breath - they already have big plans for the future.

"Over the next year we're going to get our training programme up and running. That's the next big thing for us," says Carole. "And I hope people realise that we're not just here to solve problems and trouble-shoot. We are here to help people develop and grow when things are going well. And we are here to have some fun too."

Find out more about getting active in your union.