Hear South West Young voices

South West Young Members Raise their voices at National Conference

Twelve young members from the South West travelled to Brighton in November 2025 to take part in UNISON’s National Young Members Conference – 10 delegates representing your region and two who have positions in your national forum.

Day One – Stepping Up and Being Heard

What a weekend it was. With two motions submitted and one placed first in the order of business, the South West delegation left a strong and lasting impression.

Roberta attended the Young Black Members Forum, where unexpected circumstances saw her step up to co-chair the meeting at short notice. Despite the last-minute change, the forum was filled with solidarity, delegates supported each other’s motions and shared powerful personal experiences.

The official opening of the 2025 conference followed with a welcome from Maggi Ferncombe, Regional Secretary of the South-Eastern Region. Our delegation was proud to introduce the South West Young Members Forum to conference, highlighting the work achieved over the past year – strengthening officer networks, building activism, and supporting the WOW Project Torbay (World of Wellbeing), which equips members with resilience and mental health skills.

Day Two – Motions, Debates and Making History

Saturday was an amazing day for the South West. Motion 14, “Supporting Young Members Against Reform and the Far Right”, was prioritised as the first motion of conference.

The debate was powerful and wide-ranging. Delegates spoke about the growing threat posed by far-right politics and the need for our union to support young members working in areas run by Reform-led councils. Speakers highlighted how racism, scapegoating of migrant workers, antisemitism, and attacks on Black and minority communities are attacks on all working-class people.

The motion was carried with strong support and committed the National Young Members Forum to:

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  Provide guidance and support to young members in Reform-run councils.

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  Back mobilisations and campaigns against the far right.

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  Promote trade unionism as a real alternative to far-right populism.

Contributions also reflected critically on the wider political landscape, including the direction of the Labour Party on issues such as immigration and trans rights, showing the confidence and independence of young members in holding all parties to account.

This year’s conference also trialled group debates on similar motions, creating lively and passionate discussions while still voting on each motion separately.

The day included workshops on pensions, writing effective motions, equality organising, supporting Palestine, and building links with international trade unions. These sessions gave delegates practical tools they can now bring back to branches across the South West.

Voices from the Top

General Secretary Christina McAnea challenged the government to strengthen its commitment to workers’ rights and ensure the Employment Rights Bill reaches Royal Assent. She urged young members to be bold, ambitious, and never underestimate the impact of their voices.

UNISON President Catherine McKenna celebrated the leadership of young activists and announced a new low-paid women’s network launching in 2026. The Eric Roberts Awards were also presented, with North West Young Member Forum Coordinators recognised for outstanding innovation and engagement.

A particularly moving moment came as young members marked the UN International Day of Solidarity with Palestine, with thanks from Marwan Yaghi of the Palestinian Mission, who reminded delegates: “You are not only the future – you are the present.”

Day Three – Confidence, Camaraderie and Looking Ahead

Sunday was a whirlwind of speeches, amendments and votes as delegates worked determinedly through the remaining agenda. Rebecca Bushnell, Co-chair of the South West Young Members Forum, closed the conference by celebrating the growth in young member engagement nationwide while highlighting the opportunities still ahead to strengthen organisation and leadership at branch level.

What Our Delegates Took Home

For many of our South West delegates, this was their first national conference. They left Brighton feeling more confident in writing motions, speaking in debates, and understanding how UNISON’s democracy works in practice.

Above all, they returned inspired – proud that the South West helped set the tone of conference, proud that our motion led the agenda, and proud to be part of a national movement of young activists standing up for equality, solidarity and workers’ rights.

If you’re a young member and want to get involved, now is the time. The voices shaping UNISON’s future could be yours next.