TUC / LO Summer Patrol Exchange Programme application pack

Background

Since 2017, the TUC has linked up with our sister centre LO-Norway to exchange and develop learning opportunities.

From 2019 that exchange has focused on the LO-Norway Summer Patrol project. Every summer for forty years, LO-Norway has sent young trade union activists into workplaces to speak to young people about their terms and conditions and the importance of unions.

The aim of the Norwegian Summer Patrol is to sign up as many young people as possible to a trade union and build the movement, provide young activists with organising skills so they can go on to take positions in the union and meet young people from across the union movement.

In the UK, we have been running similar projects in Wales and TUC regions. The UK project has focused on building organising skills of UK activists, data collection in workplaces to understand young workers issues, informing young workers of their employment rights and sharing information on unions rather than direct recruitment.

This year LO-Norway have invited a UK trade union delegation to go to Norway to participate in their annual Summer Patrol 2025. This is an incredible opportunity for young trade union members to learn how the project works in Norway, make new international connections and apply what they learn to help develop our UK Patrol and organising activities across the UK.

This exchange programme provides a one-off learning opportunity to develop young union activists organising practice and recruitment skills. We are proud of the successes of this programme and think it offers huge value in developing the next generation of trades unionists. 

The exchange

The exchange has space for 8 young activists to visit Norway from the following TUC regions/nations: Wales (2 delegates), Northeast, Yorkshire and Humber (3 delegates) and Midlands (3 delegates). Activists applying must meet their unions definition of young and must be 18 or over.

Travel dates:

Wales

• Sunday 22 June - Travel to Oslo.

• Monday 23 – Thursday 26 June - LO Summer Patrol

• Friday 27 June - Return from Oslo.

Northeast, Yorkshire and Humber

• Sunday 29 June - Travel to Stavanger.

• Monday 30 June – Thursday 3 July - LO Summer Patrol

• Friday 4 July - Return from Stavanger.

Midlands

• Sunday 29 June - Travel to Bergen.

• Monday 30 June – Thursday 3 July - LO Summer Patrol

• Friday 4 July - Return from Bergen.

A member of TUC staff will attend with each group. All delegates will be required to travel to and from the same UK airport on the same flights. The flight information will be confirmed after participants have been selected.

Patrol content

The patrol includes driving and walking to different workplaces and having one to one conversations with young people who work there with the permission of their employer. The patrols involve long days (0900 – 1700 approximately) with some walking but please do let us know if you need reasonable adjustments as these can be accommodated. 

Delegates are required to participate in all patrol activities and attend a short online briefing ahead of the patrol to meet other delegates and find out more about the trip. A date will be confirmed closer to the time. 

As this programme is also to support the development of TUC patrols, we would expect applicants to help develop the TUC patrol in their region on return from Norway and promote the the TUC project in the UK.

Cost and logistics

If you would like to attend as a delegate, your union will need to cover your travel costs, any additional costs associated with travel to and from Norway as needed and some subsistence costs. Accommodation, breakfast and dinner in Norway will be covered by the LO-Norway (please note LO and TUC do not cover costs of alcohol). Unions would therefore need to cover the following approximate costs. These are all estimated costs, so please be aware it will be different at the time of booking. 

• Return Flight from UK to Norway (£350)

• Travel to and from UK airport (£150)

• Overnight accommodation if needed ahead of departure (£150)

• Travel insurance (£30)

• Lunch and subsistence costs whilst in Norway (£120)

• Travel within Norway (£35 - this only applies to those in Oslo)

• If participants have visa costs, unions will need to cover these. Participants are responsible for organising any visas if necessary.

• Any additional personal expenses and spending money during the trip as agreed with the union.

We approximate the total costs to unions will be a maximum of £835 (please note this is an estimate). The TUC will be responsible for booking flights and will then invoice the union. Delegates with their unions will need to make any other bookings i.e. hotels before flight or travel to airport.

All delegates will be required to travel to and from the same UK airport on the same flights. The flight information will be confirmed after participants have been selected.

Once participants have been selected, we will confirm travel arrangements. Please do not book any travel until the TUC has confirmed you have been selected for the programme.

Delegates are required to have travel insurance to take part. They will not be permitted to attend without this.

TUC Code of conduct

We want to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable trip. The TUC code of conduct will apply to the visit:

Section A

The TUC is committed to organising activities at which everyone can participate in an inclusive, respectful and safe environment. The TUC has zero tolerance for any type of harassment. This supports the commitment set out in the TUC’s rules to promote equality for all and to eliminate all forms of harassment, including sexual harassment, prejudice and unfair discrimination. This code of conduct applies to all events both in person or online and includes all forms of communication, including postings on social media. 

Section B

At TUC events you agree to: 

• Interact with colleagues and visitors in a respectful, considerate and inclusive manner

• Recognise and adhere to the structures and decision-making processes set out in the TUC rules 

• Promptly let an official or TUC member of staff know if you notice a potentially dangerous situation or someone in distress 

• Treat all TUC staff with dignity and respect and in line with this code of conduct

At TUC events you agree not to: 

• Demonstrate unacceptable behaviours, for example, intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory or inappropriate conduct 

• Use unacceptable language or conduct related to race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or marital status. We don’t tolerate sexism, homophobia or transphobia, racism or behaviour that discriminated against any group of people

• Ignore health or safety guidelines that place yourself or others at risk

• The TUC takes breaches of the code of conduct seriously. Therefore, any breaches will be reported directly to your general secretary, and you may be denied access to future TUC events or banned from contacting TUC staff. 

Application process

If you are interested in applying to take part in the exchange, please complete the application form by midday Monday 12 May. 

1. You must make sure that you have your unions permission to attend and fund your place before you apply. If you need the TUC to write to your union to seek this, please email one of the following:

• Wales – Chloe Rees crees@tuc.org.uk

• Midlands– Rob Johnston rjohnston@tuc.org.uk

• Northeast, Yorkshire and Humber - Safiyya Patel spatel@tuc.org.uk

Please contact one of the above if you have any questions on the trip or application process. 

Please do not book anything until you have had confirmation from the TUC that you have been selected for the exchange.

Application form: https://forms.office.com/e/bZ9cHgp1rT

We want everyone attending TUC events to have a safe and enjoyable experience. If you require any adjustments or assistance to participate at this event, please let us know.