Officer Elections 2026/27

As your current fulltime Assistant Branch Secretary and the region’s ONLY elected representative on UNISON’s national Ambulance Occupational Group, I’m standing for reelection to continue being a strong, visible leader for staff locally and nationally. My priority remains steadfast:

LISTENING TO YOU, CHAMPIONING YOUR ISSUES DIRECTLY WITH SENIOR LEADERS UNTIL ACTION IS DELIVERED.

This year, I have:

• Secured paid time for mandatory training after challenging John Martin, CEO on unpaid work.
• Negotiated an improved pay structure and better career pathway for EMDs.
• Launched the campaign to resolve frozen rollingrelief balances.
• Pushed the Trust into talks on fairer, more flexible working options.
• Raised national awareness of mentalhealth pressures by submitting a motion to strengthen sectorwide support.
• Supported members through disciplinary, sickness, performance and grievance processes—achieving numerous successful outcomes.

If reelected, I will continue fighting to:

• Secure rotas and flexible working that reflect staff needs.
• Advocate nationally to reduce the retirement age for ambulance staff.
• Improve recognition of workrelated stress and its impact on mental health.
• Ensure roles are fairly reviewed and banded, with greater transparency in how pay bands are decided.
• Align SWAST retireandreturn arrangements with wider sector practice.

VOTE FOR ME — YOUR VOICE, FAIRNESS, AND TRANSPARENCY, PUT FIRST ALWAYS.

I am standing for Assistant Branch Secretary. I have 13 years of Trade Union Experience and 18 years of Swast experience. Working first in Dorset Control at St Leonards, starting as a call taker and then progressing to Dispatcher. In October 2016, I relocated to Exeter EOC as a dispatcher and then became a Dispatch Team Leader.

I have held numerous roles in the Branch including Branch Welfare Officer, Women’s Officer and Assistant Branch Secretary this last year (in conjunction with Clare Lunk).

I have represented members across the South-West including EOC, Support Services and Frontline staff in all seven counties in grievances, disciplinaries, sickness, collective grievances, bullying and harassment cases, and many more. I have saved staff from dismissals and achieved wins for our members when they needed us the most.

My first and top priority always has been, and always will be, staff welfare. That is a passion of mine.

I have represented SWAAHB nationally at Women’s Conference, National Delegate Conference and Health Conference. I am passionate for members to have Fair, equal and dignified rights in the workplace.

Prior to joining Swast, I spent 12 years in the Police Force. I have two very supportive adult children.

If elected as Assistant Secretary for SWAAHB UNISON I will deliver visible accountable representation and ensure members’ voices shape the decisions that affect their working lives, while working constructively within the UNISON team and alongside colleagues across the organisation.

In my time with UNISON I have represented colleagues in demanding environments and recognise the pressure staff face when policy feels removed from practice. Effective representation requires teamwork, shared purpose, courage and a readiness to engage with members and fellow representatives. It must be informed, credible and prepared to challenge when necessary.

My priorities are clear.

• Challenge the current sickness policy. Staff should feel supported during illness, not scrutinised. Policy must balance organisational need with compassion, fairness and clinical understanding.
• Improve inclusivity for neurodivergent colleagues. Neurodiversity strengthens teams. Adjustments should be consistent, timely and shaped through genuine dialogue.
• Remain a strong voice for those who need us most. Every member deserves to be heard, respected and represented.
• Promote transparency through collaborative working and communication.

This role demands resolve, judgement, integrity and the confidence to ask difficult questions. Elect me and you elect someone who listens, speaks plainly and acts with purpose as part of a committed team.