Reflections from the South East Branch Officer Training Weekend 2026

I attended the Branch Officer Training Weekend in Southampton, which provided a valuable opportunity to develop knowledge, strengthen networks, and gain a broader understanding of branch organisation and future development.

The weekend offered a mixture of structured training, discussion, collaboration, and opportunities to engage with fellow representatives and officers from different areas. It created a supportive environment to share experiences, discuss challenges, and explore practical ways of strengthening branch activity and member engagement.

Women's Officer Training and Reflections

One of the most inspiring and meaningful parts of the weekend for me was attending the Women's Officer training session delivered by Mumta.

The session was delivered with passion, knowledge, and enthusiasm, making it highly engaging throughout. I particularly enjoyed the Sunday presentation and discussions looking back through the history of women and the actions they took to create change and improve conditions for future generations.

Learning about the history of women who organised, campaigned, took action, and in many cases fought for rights and opportunities was incredibly powerful. These women showed immense strength, resilience, determination, and courage. Reflecting on the work they undertook to bring us to where we are today was both humbling and inspiring.

Equally inspiring was being surrounded by such incredible women during the training weekend. There were so many experiences, stories, perspectives, and shared knowledge within the group. The openness, understanding, and willingness to support one another created an atmosphere that felt empowering and encouraging.

During one of the discussions, I reflected on how remarkable it is to think that one day Women's Officers in the future may be discussing us and our own achievements in the same way we were discussing those who came before us.

We are all simply one part of an ever-evolving line of history, with women continuing to learn, grow, support one another, and create change.

We often look back at photographs and stories of strong and influential women who made a difference. I hope that one day future members and officers may look back and recognise the work undertaken today and see how people helped UNISON continue to grow, support members, and create positive change.

Networking, Collaboration and Branch Development

The weekend reinforced the value of networking and collaboration and highlighted the importance of learning from one another.

Meeting people I had previously spoken with and continuing to build relationships in person was wonderful. There is a great deal of experience, knowledge, and support that we can all offer one another as officers and representatives.

I was particularly pleased to meet Paula the ABW Branch Secretary in person. It reinforced a strong feeling that we have a very positive future ahead as a branch.

I feel that Paula and I work naturally together. Our personalities complement one another well and there is a shared vision around supporting members, strengthening representation, and continuing to build the branch. There is a genuine feeling that our branch can continue growing and go from strength to strength in the future.

The weekend reinforced the importance of women learning together, supporting one another, and working collaboratively to create a better future for members, officers, and representatives alike.

It is exciting to think about where our branch may be in ten years' time and what could be achieved through continued development, teamwork, and shared commitment.

Inter-Branch Support and Good Practice

Another positive aspect of the weekend involved sharing support and knowledge between branches.

As part of discussions, I offered support in my role as LGBTQ+ Officer to another branch that currently does not have an officer in place. The offer of support was welcomed and felt like an excellent example of collaborative working, communication, and sharing good practice across branches.

Working together in this way strengthens not only individual branches but creates wider support networks and learning opportunities that ultimately benefit members, officers, and representatives.

Key Learning and Outcomes

The training reinforced:

• Confidence in current work already being undertaken
• The value of networking and relationship building
• The importance of continued branch development and growth
• Supporting one another and sharing knowledge
• Building strong communication between branches
• Continuing to develop opportunities for members and representatives
• The importance of representation and inclusion 
• Long-term planning and branch sustainability

Conclusion

Overall, I felt very fortunate to attend this training weekend.

It was informative, inspiring, and highly valuable both professionally and personally. It reinforced the importance of continuing to build strong branches, support members, and work collaboratively.

Most importantly, it highlighted that the work we undertake today contributes towards something larger than ourselves. We continue building upon the work of those who came before us, while also creating foundations for those who will follow after us.

The opportunities, representation, and progress we benefit from today exist because others stood before us, challenged barriers, created change, and carried responsibilities that helped shape the future.

While we may currently hold positions and responsibilities within our branches and organisations, there will one day come a time when that responsibility passes to others. I hope that those who follow will understand not only the work and dedication of those who came before them, but also the importance and responsibility of carrying that work forward for future generations.

We are all part of a continuing story — learning, growing, supporting one another, and leaving something stronger behind than we inherited.

The future feels exciting, and I look forward to continuing that journey.

I would also like to add a sincere thank you to the support teams working behind the scenes who helped make the weekend such a positive experience.

In particular, I would like to recognise the staff at the Hilton Hotel, who were incredibly attentive, welcoming, and supportive throughout the weekend. Nothing ever seemed too much trouble, and their professionalism and kindness greatly contributed to the overall experience.

I would also like to thank the organisers of the training weekend for the time, effort, and work that went into planning and delivering such an engaging and valuable event.

A huge thank you to everyone involved — your hard work and support were very much appreciated.