Even after 15 years as general secretary, I’m still humbled each day by the dedication of our activists.
The sacrifices so many of you make on behalf of your colleagues and friends is inspirational, and is at the heart of everything our union is able to achieve.
Few deserve that accolade more than Carole Johnson, who is soon to retire from NHS Blood and Transplant (a part of our health service that will always have particular resonance for me).
Carole has worked in the blood service in Leeds for 32 years and served as a UNISON activist for 31 years, including 17 as branch secretary.
But just as importantly as all of that, she’s been a great friend to so many of us.
Carole has given a lifetime of service to our health service and our union. She will be sorely missed. But every day as much loved UNISON activists move on, new activists begin their lifelong journey in our union.
Like Carole, they will help members with problems big and small, defend their jobs and fight for better pay.
And in people like Carole, they could have no better role model.