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31st March 2026 - Responding to the Far Right

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31st March 2026 - Responding to the Far Right

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Thank you to everyone who attended our CommsHour today.

We were pleased to be joined by UNISON Scotland Regional Manager Simon MacFarlane, who spoke about the importance of campaigning against the far right and shared insights from the UK working group and ongoing research.

If you’re a comms activist and would like to stay involved, please get in touch to be added to our distribution list for future events.

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24th February 2026 - Calling all activists - Consultation on support needs

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24th February 2026 - Calling all activists - Consultation on support needs

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📣 A great first CommsHour session today!

Well attended, with lots of positive conversations about our communications work and plans for the future. Plenty of ideas to take forward — and we’re already looking forward to the next session 💜💚

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CommsHour: Communications activists' event (online)

Following the success of CommsFest last year, many of you told us you would like more opportunities to come together, share ideas and build your communications skills. We’re excited to be expanding our online communications activists' events this year with the launch of our new CommsHour sessions.

Since moving the activists’ meetings online and holding them over lunchtime, we’ve seen stronger and more consistent turnout at these events. Building on what’s worked well, we’re planning an expanded programme of events throughout the year. These sessions will be a mix of: learning new skills and approaches from fellow activists and a range of speakers; sharing best practice from across our branches and creating space to allow you to connect with other communications activists.

We’ll kick things off on 24 February, from 12.30-1.30pm, with a consultation-style event, bringing communications activists together to help shape the programme for the year. Topics will be guided by what you want to explore to make sure the sessions are interesting, practical and useful to the work you do.

Our CommsHour sessions will run regularly throughout the year and each session will: last no more than one hour, be held online and be open to any activists with an interest in communications. Come along and learn, share and connect with people across the union involved in communications

To sign up please complete the online registration form which can be accessed via the following link:

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=3x7C10HVpEmfWnc3gy1Cx6B8joMNoO9GvkcNBYMRn_pUN1UzVU9GQjgxMzNLWUFYVURaVUZUMjZNOS4u&route=shorturl

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A great day spent with like-minded communications activists at our UNISON Scotland Communications & Campaigns Committee policy seminar in Glasgow.

It was brilliant to come together to reflect on the past year’s work, shape our Activists Support Package and focus on how we put public services at the heart of a fairer Scotland.

We had really positive discussions on supporting activists through training and CommsFest, strengthening UNISON’s communications, tackling the far right and building our political and election strategy for 2026.

Days like this remind us how powerful it is when committed activists come together to share ideas, plan collectively and strengthen our campaigning for members and communities.

Thanks to everyone who took part and made it such a productive and energising day.

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Empowering Union Voices with Al.

Our communication activists event, explored how artificial intelligence (Al) can be a practical and empowering tool for trade union communications.

Following its popularity at our recent CommsFest, this session aimed to help even more activists discover how Al car support, strengthen and simplify their communications work.

This session was led by Colin Jones, a UNISON activist and member of UNISON's communications and campaigns committee, who shared hands-on ways Al can make your union voice stronger and more effective.

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Just wrapped up UNISON Scotland first-ever #CommsFest – and what a weekend it was!

As Chair, I’m so proud to have been part of such an energising event that celebrated the creativity, skills and solidarity behind union communications.

From Friday’s hilarious and insightful session with comedian Marc Jennings to Saturday’s powerful workshops, every part of the weekend brought something special:

“Show, Don’t Tell” with novelist & UNISON organiser Wendy Hudson explored how creative writing can connect emotionally and powerfully.

Empowering Union Voices with AI with Colin Jones showed us how accessible AI tools can support everyday comms work – no tech skills required.

Campaigning with Social Media with Greig Kelbie gave us real-world lessons from the successful Serco fightback.

Investigative Journalism with Karin Goodwin of The Ferret equipped us to dig deeper, ask tough questions and tell truth to power.

We were also delighted to be joined by Welcome Enoch from Black Scottish Adventurers, whose joyful and positive storytelling on social media shows the true power of community, nature and visibility (even if it means jumping into freezing lochs!).

And our panel, Public Services: The Heart of a Fairer Scotland, sparked important conversations on the future we’re fighting for – thank you to Kay Sillars (UNISON), Ruth Boyle (Poverty Alliance) and Karin Goodwin (The Ferret) for your insights and passion.

Special thank you to UNISON’s General Secretary Christina McAnea and Scottish Secretary Lilian Macer for coming along to support the event.

Thank you to everyone who took part and brought such brilliant energy. Let’s take everything we’ve learned and keep building powerful, creative union comms together.

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Communication activists meetings are open to communication officers or any activists with an interest in communications work.

We were delighted that Karren Morrison from Forth Valley NHS Branch agreed to come and brief us on her very successful Serco campaign. Her media, communications, ballots and industrial action forced Serco to back down on plans to move staff from weekly to monthly pay.

Thanks to everyone who came along and heard about the campaign.

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Using Social Media – A simple guide for avoiding pitfalls

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Using Social Media – A simple guide for avoiding pitfalls

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Almost everyone uses Social Media in their personal lives, but did you know there can be hidden pitfalls relating to you employment for things you do in your personal time?

For example, if you link your Facebook profile to your employer, you could be disciplined for bringing the company into disrepute for posts you comment, share or are even just tagged into.

·       If you are commenting or communicating on your employers Facebook, twitter accounts, etc. Please ensure you follow this simple guidance to protect your employment:

·       Remember social media can be seen as an extension of the workplace.

·       You can still be disciplined for something you post on social media.

·       Don’t engage in arguments on social media, even if it is a closed group.

·       Don’t state where you work on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

·       Ensure you delete any historic posts that your employer could deem inappropriate.

·       Don’t criticise your employer or other staff on public websites or social media posts – speak to your manager.

·       Don’t mention your employer when commenting on posts or tweets.

·       Closed groups are still covered by social media and disciplinary policies and you should still use the guidance above when commenting in these groups.

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Louise Noble Chair of the Communications & Campaigns Committee for UNISON Scotland

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Louise Noble Chair of the Communications & Campaigns Committee for UNISON Scotland

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What is the Communication & Campaigns Committee?

We are a lay committee which oversees the campaigns and communications of the union in Scotland, but more than that it is intended for people to become involved and participate. So lay control is not just about controlling your union it is about actively participating in your union and we look for these people on the committee to develop the communications skills and to deliver some of the union’s communications.

How can UNISON members get involved?

They need to become elected to the committee and it is usually activists who are already active in communications in their branch and they are elected by the annual Scottish Council of Branches.

When do we meet?

We meet normally twice a year in person and we have activists meetings twice a year online. These are designed to allow people who are not on the committee that are interested in communications in their branch no matter what their role is in the branch to come along and join in with the committee. We have themed issues such as social media, campaigning, what we do right and what we do wrong and at other times we have branches sharing their campaigns and ideas with others because often great ideas come from branches but they stay in branches and the rest of us don’t get to hear about them.

What is so important about communication in UNISON?

Well it is everything really. If a union doesn’t communicate and we don’t communicate with each other we can’t run our own democracy, we can’t have our campaigns, people don’t know what’s going on, we can’t educate people and we can’t build for the kind of solidarity that’s needed to face the challenges we are certainly facing at the moment.

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The Role of the Branch Communications Officer

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The Role of the Branch Communications Officer

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The branch communications officer’s role includes:

-  explaining UNISON’s policies and providing the information members need to play an active role in their union;

-  helping the branch’s recruitment and organising;

-  supporting UNISON’s national and regional campaigns;

-  creating a positive image for the branch and wider union among members, potential members and the public;

-  producing news-sheets, bulletins or digital communication for distribution to branch members;

-  making sure branch communications are in the accessible formats members need;

-  making sure that centrally and regionally produced publicity, communications and campaign materials are distributed, as appropriate, to stewards, members and non-members;

-  monitoring and liaising with local media.

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We had a great time attending the UNISON Scotland Communications and Campaigns Policy Forum this weekend. Lots of inspiring discussions on the future of communications and campaigning for workers' rights. Excited to bring these insights back to our branches and throughout Scotland.

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Building for Action - 3rd June 2025 - Edinburgh

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Building for Action - 3rd June 2025 - Edinburgh

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This course will give you an introduction on how to run a campaign and will support with the following:

·       What is your message?

·       Who are your trying target audience?

·       How and where are you going to communicate it?

·       What response are you looking for?

We will use writing skills, social media, design, digital tools, photos and best practice and show you how to apply them over different platforms.

We will also cover where you can get support and resources and the role of the Communications Committee.

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Effective Communications - 9th September 2025 - Glasgow

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Effective Communications - 9th September 2025 - Glasgow

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This course will provide an opportunity to learn new skills and develop your existing knowledge focussing on techniques to build member engagement through effective communications and the use of social media and campaigning.

The course has a lot of physical work and is delivered and supported by our communications and campaign team.

Areas covered will include:

·       approaching and developing campaign ideas

·       the steps of planning and delivering an effective campaign

·       developing core messaging, digital campaigning and social media - the power of images and videos which attract supporters and increase engagement

·       using digital tools

·       mobilising members and activists

Having basic IT skills before joining this course is an advantage and it is recommended that those without these skills attend a basic IT course in advance.

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This course is for all those who have some responsibility for branch communications. We will introduce member communications, working with the media, writing skills, newsletter editing, basic design rules, social media and website content.

This course will help you get better at running your branch communications and campaigns and help you understand UNISON’s communication guidelines.  It will provide the basic skills to get you started so you can  build on them with more specialist courses later in the year.

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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pJYSy0wsbIs

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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8wOtMBkJQMg

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How To Create Facebook Page - Full Guide

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How To Create Facebook Page - Full Guide

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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qcvl9pfb-Y8

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Getting Social with UNISON: Introduction to Canva

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Getting Social with UNISON: Introduction to Canva

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https://youtu.be/XkCNoJhDJW4?si=eMHnuRQEi73HSQBw

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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UkzVLHeSf7c&list=PLr0AH9BnVNJMg_BPSiqKxpamzx2lJ6KUg

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Building industrial strength through communications.

Communications are vital to building actions and keeping momentum in a dispute. Organising picket lines, working with the media, being creative, using social media, making it fun. These are vital to winning campaigns and disputes.

Joining us will be guest speaker Stuart Hope from Perth & Kinross branch, who will take 10-15 minutes to tell us about the communication strategy during their ongoing pay dispute.

Followed by short discussion.

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Supporting branch communication activists

Teams meeting 12pm (45mins)

As the new chair of the Campaigns and Communications Committee it would be helpful to have a discussion about what more can be done to support branch communications officers – particularly those who are new to the role?

How can communications officers support each other more?

What does UNISON do at moment that you find helpful?

How can we improve how branches communicate with their members?

And what can the committee do to help facilitate this?

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Building industrial strength through communications

This meeting is for all UNISON activists with an interest in communications in UNISON. Whether you are part of a committee, branch or SOG. If you are developing our communications - come and join our discussion.

Communications are vital to building actions and keeping momentum in a dispute. Organising picket lines, working with the media, being creative, using social media, making it fun. These are vital to winning campaigns and disputes.

We have 3 speakers who will take 5-10 minutes each:

Carrie-Anne Gallacher – Glasgow Schools and nursery strikes.

Ron Mackie – Fife local government branch

Joe Pearce – local organiser Glasgow museums strike

Followed by short discussion.

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At our online communications activist event - on Tuesday 20th August from 12-12.45pm - we will hear from Kay McKerrell chair of UNISON Scotland Black members committee about the experiences and feelings of Black colleagues in light of recent alarming events.

Kay will discuss, the work of her committee, how we can support Black members through our communications work, and what we can do better.

Campaigns and Communications Committee hold 2 online activists events each year. These events are open anyone who has an interest in communications – including of course branch communications officers.

Please attend if you can. They are usually great events where we share good practice, learn from each other and help build our communications network.

There will be plenty of time for discussion and questions.

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Communication activists learning about the importance of editing and writing skills.

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Communication activists using new skills to put together a campaign.

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We had guest speaker Regional Manager Kay Sillars join us to give an update on the results of a member's survey on engagement from UNISON.

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Effective Communications 10th September 2024 – Edinburgh

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Effective Communications 10th September 2024 – Edinburgh

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This course will provide an opportunity to learn new skills and develop your existing knowledge focussing on techniques to build member engagement through effective communications and the use of social media and campaigning.

The course has a lot of physical work and is delivered and supported by our communications and campaign team.

Areas covered will include:

·       approaching and developing campaign ideas

·       the steps of planning and delivering an effective campaign

·       developing core messaging, digital campaigning and social media - the power of images and videos which attract supporters and increase engagement

·       using digital tools

·       mobilising members and activists

Having basic IT skills before joining this course is an advantage and it is recommended that those without these skills attend a basic IT course in advance.

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Building for Action 4th June 2024 - Glasgow

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Building for Action 4th June 2024 - Glasgow

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This course will give you an introduction on how to run a campaign and will support with the following:

·       What is your message?

·       Who are your trying target audience?

·       How and where are you going to communicate it?

·       What response are you looking for?

We will use writing skills, social media, design, digital tools, photos and best practice and show you how to apply them over different platforms.

We will also cover where you can get support and resources and the role of the Communications Committee.

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Celebrating Year of LGBT+ workers at our annual policy forum.

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We hold Activist meetings online twice a year in August and November. These are open to all Activists with an interest in Communications. Topics vary for these and we often have guest speakers along. If you would like to be added to the distribution list for these please email louise.noble@unisonfifehealth.org

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We have a Communications Activists WhatsApp group for anyone with an interest in Communications where we share ideas, images and general information. If you would like to be added to this please email louise.noble@unisonfifehealth.org with your name and number.

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This course is for anyone interested in Branch Communications. It introduces campaigning, messaging, newsletters, working with the media, editing, social and digital media, and websites.

It focuses on presenting a positive image for the Branch. It will provide the basic skills to get you started and can be built on by future specialists courses.

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Check out this Presentation designed by UNISON Scotland.

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Scotland in UNISON, No 168

https://unison-scotland.org/scotland-in-unison-168/

Scotland in UNISON, No 167

https://unison-scotland.org/scotland-in-unison-167/

Scotland in UNISON, No 166

https://unison-scotland.org/scotland-in-unison-166/

Scotland in UNISON, No 165

https://unison-scotland.org/scotland-in-unison-165/

Scotland in UNISON, No 164

https://unison-scotland.org/scotland-in-unison-164/

Scotland in UNISON, No 163

https://unison-scotland.org/scotland-in-unison-163/

Scotland in UNISON, No 162

https://unison-scotland.org/scotland-in-unison-no-162-june-2023/

Scotland in UNISON, No 161

https://unison-scotland.org/scotland-in-unison-no-161-april-2023/

Scotland in UNISON, No 160

https://unison-scotland.org/scotland-in-unison-no-160-february-2023-2/

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Louise Noble - Editor

louise.noble@unisonfifehealth.org

Danny Phillips

d.phillips@unison.co.uk

Trisha Hamilton

t.hamilton@unison.co.uk

Dianne O'Donnell

Willie Docherty

Tom Cairney

Stewart Young

Fiona Napier

Kate Sharkey

Morag Lawrence

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Louise Noble - Chair - Fife Health

Stewart Young - Vice Chair - Lothian Health

Danny Phillips - UNISON Scotland Communication Officer

Trisha Hamilton - UNISON Scotland Communication Officer

Josh Henderson - NHS Glasgow & Clyde CVS

Matt Valenti - Fife Health

Sara Medel Jiminez (Black Members) - Edinburgh University

Frank Cairns (Disabled Members) - Housing & Care

Morag Lawrence (Retired Members) - Aberdeenshire

Dianne O'Donnell (Women's Committee) - Housing & Care

Robbie Burgess (Young Members) - NHS Glasgow & Clyde CVS

Colin Jones (Higher Education Sector) - Aberdeen

Phil Frieslick (Further Education Sector) - Further Education

Fiona Napier - NDPB SEPA

Lilian Macer (Ex-officio) - Scottish Secretary