The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) in Wales is officially rebranding as RCM Cymru from 8 August 2025. The change reflects the RCM’s commitment to the Welsh language and its use among RCM members, and the Welsh-speaking women and families that use maternity services across Wales.

One of the key factors to delivering more personalised maternity services is for staff to reflect the communities they serve, something the RCM has long championed. Supporting its Welsh-speaking and bilingual members to do that in Welsh maternity services is a crucial step forward.  Also, with an increase in the volume of Welsh speakers coming through the education system in Wales, there is likely to be an increase in Welsh-speaking women using maternity services.

The RCM says while its Welsh speaking members voted for the change the rebrand also reflects the RCM’s evolution within the British Trades Union Congress family. Over the past number of years, the RCM in Wales has also been working closely with TUC Cymru and is an affiliate member.

Commenting, the RCM’s Director for Wales, Julie Richards, said:

“With the growth in the RCM’s Welsh-speaking membership and our work with TUC Cymru the rebrand to RCM Cymru felt like a natural progression for us. The change also reflects RCM’s commitment to not only supporting but growing our community of Welsh speaking midwives and maternity care assistants. I’m proud of our work to date and excited about the future opportunity the recognition as RCM Cymru will provide for us and our affiliate union members in Wales. Discussions on how we develop, evolve and transform our engagement with members continues. After all, ‘Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi’ resonates with us all! Let’s celebrate the Welsh language together – join us on this exciting journey.”

RCM Cymru is already supporting the use of Welsh in the workplace and has established a forum for trade unionists to discuss Welsh language services and workers’ rights. To support the journey the RCM Cymru team is also actively using the Welsh language at work, and we have members of staff who have already started or are planning to start learning Welsh.

As Welsh language legislation imposes duties on public sector employers, as well as union policy and social partnership responsibilities, there is a need for unions to urgently plan and organise to support the Welsh language rights of current and future workers, and to identify current and potential Welsh-speaking union reps and members.

Commenting on the rebrand, RCM Board member, Angharad Oyler, said:

“There are so many benefits of increasing the visibility of Welsh language services to our members. It ensures our Welsh-speaking members are both present and future can fully engage confidently and comfortably with RCM and our services, removing barriers and promoting equality.”

The official name change from RCM Wales to RCM Cymru will be launched at the National Eisteddfod on Friday 8 August 2025. The National Eisteddfod is the largest cultural festival in Europe and more details about it can be found here.

ENDS

For interview requests or to contact the RCM Media Office call 020 7312 3456, or email media@rcm.org.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

• RCM Wales yn newid ei enw i RCM Cymru – https://rcm.org.uk/news/2025/07/rcm-wales-yn-newid-ei-enw-i-rcm-cymru/

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team.  We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance, and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences, and online resources. For more information visit the RCM | A professional organisation and trade union dedicated to serving the whole midwifery team.