‘Grow, Organise, Participate’ was this year’s theme with 130 delegates descending on Birmingham to celebrate successes, share learning and strengthen the RCM’s activist network.

An awards ceremony was held for the first time to recognise those RCM branches going above and beyond to support their members.

Sally Morgan, an MSW at Tameside Hospital in Manchester, explained why she was there:

“When you come to an Activists’ Conference you realise you’re part of something much bigger. I love my work as an MSW but coming together like this reminds me that activism isn’t just about our own workplaces, it’s about making things better collectively for our members.”

For the first time delegates were invited to choose their own ‘hot topic’ for debate, with safe staffing the winner.

Dozens of activists stood up to share their members’ experiences of staffing levels in their Trusts. They described significant pressure on early-career midwives, overwhelmed and unsupported MSWs and how understaffing has become normalised in many workplaces.

There was broad agreement that a clear strategy is needed to address midwifery staffing and skill mix shortfalls and improve overall workforce conditions and that maternity services must be properly resourced to ensure safe, high-quality care for all.

The day culminated in a celebration of success with the presentation of the first RCM Branch Activists’ Awards.

The Barnstaple and District branch was recognised for outstanding communication and engagement with members. They impressed judges with their innovative monthly RCM day where members are invited to share thoughts and concerns face to face and given treats.

The Taunton and Somerset Branch received the Event of the Year award for a whole series of diverse and engaging events, including an International Day of the Midwife Quiz and a film screening.

University College Hospitals London Branch won the Health and Safety campaign of the year for embedding wellbeing into the workplace by giving staff the opportunity to book holistic treatments during working hours via an app.

Cardiff and Vale Branch took home the Learning Campaign of the Year award for transforming the local learning culture through ‘Breakfast and Learn’ sessions and innovative study boxes for RCM members.

Chester Branch was awarded the EDI campaign of the year for its work supporting Internationally Educated Midwives (IEMs) to become RCM members. Every IEM in Chester has become an RCM member, with some also training as workplace reps.

The loudest cheers of the day were reserved for the tireless work of Sunderland and South Tyneside who won the Branch Campaign of the Year award. Since February 2023 this branch have been challenging their employer’s proposals to introduce an on-call system for hospital-based midwives which would have seen them rostered on their days off several times a year.

Previous attempts to get the Trust to change their mind failed and so the RCM balloted their members, with 98 per cent of those responding voting in favour of industrial action. The Trust has apologised and is now back round the table and has committed to listening to the voice of staff.

Judges also gave special commendation to the St George’s Branch for its inspiring campaign to protect maternity triage services, which judges felt embodied the values of grassroots trade unionism: creativity, determination and the power of collective action.

Lynn Collins, Director of representation and organising, said the awards were a fitting end to an inspirational day, she said:

“Our Activists conferences are always uplifting and you can’t fail to be inspired when you hear about some of the amazing workplace wins. But we wanted to go further this time, giving the floor to our activists to share their experiences around the issues they prioritised,  and introducing the branch awards to celebrate the amazing work that our activists do each and every day.

“Activists are the heartbeat of the RCM. We couldn’t do the work we do without their dedication. Our power really does lie in their collective action, which we saw at its very best today.”