Growing into Grovember

Across all our regions, throughout the month of Grovember, UNISON activists have been spreading the message

Across all our regions, throughout the month of Nov… sorry, Grovember, UNISON activists have been spreading the message that we’re #strongertogether.

We’ve picked out a few actions from our members to give you a tiny flavour of what’s happening.

Using the hashtag #joinUNISON, Eastern region brought us sight of another health hero signing up to join UNISON at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (pictured above) and said that staff were “flocking” to the stall to join.

Meanwhile, Elliot Dean used Twitter to say that “lots of new members” were joining at Chesterfield Royal Hospital when the branch held a stall earlier this week (pictured above), while Rachel Riversong noted that six new members had signed up.

At Pontefract General Infirmary in West Yorkshire, Cath Bacon reported “so many people wanting to #joinUNISON – and discuss becoming active.” No wonder she said it was a “great day!”

Across the Pennines, Knowsley UNISON’s social media bod was “#feeling old” after the branch “recruited our newest member who also happens to be a young member … born in 1997!”

Durham UNISON took the message into Durham College, where their wheel of fortune proved a winning recruiter.

Northern UNISON organiser Deb and branch assistant Lucy were using Stars in Our Schools as a hook, as they headed off into Newcastle schools, “goodie bags at the ready”, while it was an early start at Newcastle College (pictured below).

A Cymru/Wales North Wales team went around the wards on the night shift at Wrexham Maelor hospital, while a recruitment stall at Wishaw General in Lanarkshire was offering UNISON ice scrapers to help cope with winter weather.

Merseyside police staff branch held a Grovember event in the canteen, recruiting new members and reps and offering advice to staff.

At North Derbyshire Health Trust, Natalie Chadwick reported “lots of great convos, new joiners and potential new reps.”

In the South East, local organiser Clare Boorman tweeted that “Penny & Clare, both senior sisters at Darent Valley Hospital, joined UNISON because they wanted to be part of a union that covered the whole NHS team”.

In Eastern region, Cheryl Godber said that there had been “lots of conversations resulting in new members” at Ipswich Hospital.

City of Wolverhampton branch held a stall at the council over two days, offering “freebies and information for current and future members” – and North Devon Hospital in Barnstaple also hosted a stall from the local branch.

And a special shout – or woof – out to Janine Miller in the South West, who nominated Oscar “as the face of Grovember!”

Welcome one and all!

But don’t forget that there’s still half the month to go – and plenty of ways to get involved in Grovember.

Noticeboards are a really simple way to get UNISON noticed in the workplace, and we are currently running a notice board competition.

So update yours, post a pic on Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #ratemyboard – and there’s a first prize of £500 for the winning branch, plus three runners up prizes of £150.

UNISON president Gordon McKay will select the winner – and his decision is final!

There’s still time to be a top recruiter!

Win prizes and save money when you get involved, including the chance to win £1,000 if you recruit a friend.

Pick up some tips on how to maximise your social media impact.

Learn about member learning as a massive UNISON benefit. 

Talking of benefits, there’s plenty at UNISON Living about all the benefits members can access – benefits.unison.org.uk/unison-living/.

16 reasons why people say ‘no’ to joining UNISON – and how to overcome them.

Easy Joiner is our new way to making joining UNISON even quicker.