RCM branch voice: Celebrating the success of RCM branches

By Nick Child on 07 March 2018 Student midwives Midwives Magazine Labour

Plenty of support is available to RCM branches, as Nick Child explains. After enormous success last year, the aim is to make 2018 even better.

We ended last year on a high, and 2018 is already shaping up to be as positive, with the RCM bigger and stronger than ever. This is the result of the strong commitment and excellent work of branch officers, workplace representatives, MSW advocates as well as members. Together, they have all contributed to making RCM branches more active than ever.

There are more than 200 RCM branches across all four UK nations. Their purpose is to promote and advance excellence in midwifery practice and policy by enabling members to meet locally for trade union, professional, educational and social purposes. They undertake activities such as addressing workplace issues, hosting learning events, helping members to attend RCM conferences, celebrating local midwifery and supporting members at work.

In 2017, after a year of successful campaigns and more than 700 workplace engagement events, we now have the highest level of membership ever recorded. This success only happens because of the collective efforts and commitment of those involved with the RCM. So we want to express our sincere thanks for doing all you do.

For 2018, hot on the heels of MSW month, we will be making plans for International Day of the Midwife – #IDM2018 – as well as our extensive programme of professional events and study days at national, regional and local levels. We had the RCM branch AGM season in January, where the focus was on the election of branch officers and workplace representatives, as well as thinking about events for the coming year.

Get involved

If you have never been involved with your local RCM branch or attended one of its meetings or events, then do consider participating. We are here to represent the interests of our members at work, but also to support and organise exciting events, study days and conferences that will help members’ professional and personal development.

Members can speak to RCM reps or look on RCM workplace noticeboards for more information on how to get involved. If you’re not sure who they are, you can find out via RCM Connect on 0300 303 0444.

For RCM activists, speak to your RCM national/regional officer or organiser about any support required for your activities – their role is to support you and your members in the workplace. If you are unfamiliar with who they are, contact RCM Connect. You can then arrange a workplace visit to discuss the support on offer.

Please also remember to complete your new branch officer forms and annual branch reviews. It is important that we are aware of the appointments to new roles and what your plans are so that we can work with you to support another successful year of activity in your local workplaces.

We look forward to working with you to make 2018 the best and most successful year for the RCM yet. 

More Info

Forms, the Branch Governance Handbook and many other information and communication resources are available on our Branch Resources page (only accessible to Branch Officers and Workplace Representatives).

Nick Child is RCM senior organiser (networks)