Student Midwife Forum elections
We are pleased to confirm that the nominations for student midwife elections to the RCM Student Midwife Forum opened on Thursday 1st October 2026. There are 14 seats on the forum in total; two each for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and eight for England (two each for London, North, South and Midlands and East).
This year we have 9 seats available for re-election.
This year we have the following seats available for election:
- 1 in England-North
- 1 in England London
- 1 in England – South
- 1 in Midlands and East of England
- 2 in Wales
- 1 in Northern Ireland
- 2 in Scotland
We are working in an agile way that offers great opportunities for people with diverse backgrounds and are committed to being an inclusive student forum regardless of race religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, pregnancy, disability or gender identity.
We are especially interested in receiving applicants from sections of the community which are currently underrepresented within the forum, including applicants who identify as Black, Asian & Ethnic heritage.
England (North) | England (London) | Midlands & East |
|---|---|---|
Edge Hill University | City & St George’s University (London) | Birmingham City University |
University of Central Lancashire | London South Bank University | Coventry University |
Liverpool John Moores University | University of West London | De Montfort University |
University of Manchester | King’s College London | Keele University |
University of Salford | Kingston University | Northampton |
University of Chester | University of Greenwich | Staffordshire University |
Sheffield Hallam University | University of East London | University of Leicester |
University of Bradford | Middlesex University | University of Nottingham |
University of Huddersfield | University of Wolverhampton | |
University of York | University of Derby | |
University of Hull | Anglia Ruskin University | |
University of Cumbria | Lincoln | |
University of Leeds | University of East Anglia | |
Northumbria University | University of Suffolk | |
University of Bolton | University of Bedfordshire | |
Teesside University | University of Birmingham | |
University of Sunderland | University of Hertfordshire | |
University of Sheffield |
Wales | Northern Ireland | Scotland |
|---|---|---|
University of South Wales | Queen’s University Belfast | Edinburgh Napier University |
University of Cardiff | University of the West of Scotland | |
Bangor University | Robert Gordon University | |
Swansea University |
If students are interested in this opportunity, they will need to be a student member of the RCM, be able to contribute an active role in the SMF committing to two face to face all day meetings, four 2 hourly virtual meetings per year. You may also be invited to participate in the RCM Annual Conference for 2025. Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed when attending the two face to face SMF meetings.
The group is chaired by a student midwife member and supported by RCM staff. The dates for the SMF face to face meetings next year are fixed and will be held on;
- Thursday 28 January 2027 (London)
- Wednesday 15 September 2027 (Northern Ireland TBC)
Virtual meetings to be held between 10:00 – 12:00 on the following days:
- Thursday 4 March 2027
- Tuesday 11 May 2027
- Thursday 15 July 2027
- Wednesday 10 November 2027
SMF forum members will also lead on webinars on the following dates between 13:00 – 14:00
- Tuesday 25 March 2027
- Tuesday 6 July 2027
- Thursday 18 November 2027
Attendance and input to all the above meetings is mandatory so please ensure you are able commit to these dates prior to applying.
Members of the SMF you play a vital role in ensuring the voices of student midwives are heard and reflected in the work of the RCM. They act as ambassadors for student members, helping to shape policy, influence change and strengthen connections between students, universities and the wider profession.
Key responsibilities and duties include:
- Representing the views, experiences and concerns of student midwives at local, regional and national levels.
- Participating in discussions and debates on issues affecting student midwives, helping to influence the RCM’s policies, campaigns and priorities.
- Acting as a link between student members, midwifery societies, RCM Branches and the RCM, promoting engagement and collaboration.
- Gathering feedback from student midwives and ensuring their perspectives are shared with the RCM and relevant stakeholders.
- Supporting and promoting RCM activities, campaigns, events and opportunities for student members.
- Being a visible and approachable point of contact for student midwives.
- Encouraging student membership engagement and helping fellow students understand the benefits of being involved with the RCM.
- Attending SMF meetings and contributing to projects, consultations and initiatives that support student midwives.
- Working collaboratively with other SMF representatives to identify emerging issues and develop solutions.
- Building relationships with university midwifery societies and supporting stronger links with local RCM Branches.
- Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and championing the interests of all student midwives.
- Supporting the recruitment and development of future student representatives and encouraging active participation in the profession.
Through these activities, SMF representatives help ensure that student midwives have a strong voice within the RCM and play an active role in shaping the future of midwifery education and practice.
This year we are asking students to submit a short video clip between 3 minutes long explaining why they would like a seat on the Student Midwifery Forum and what they can offer to the Royal College of Midwives. All submissions will need to be submitted to SMF@RCM.org.uk by midnight Friday 27 November.
In your submission email, please include the following:
- Your name
- Your University name
- Which year you’re in
- Your RCM membership number
- Your 3-minute video clip
All applicants will need to speak with their LME and negotiate time to attend the forum meetings prior to submitting their nomination.
Successful candidates will be notified no later than by middle of December.
Please can we ask you to share this opportunity widely with other students. Please see the terms of reference below for further details of membership requirements.
Please do not hesitate to contact Pri Patel if you have any queries at Pri.Patel@rcm.org.uk