Twenty-two black members across the South-West are implementing action plans in their branches across the region after a successful brand new leadership course in Bristol at the end of last year.

The weekend course was called “Developing Leadership with Black Members” and was designed to engage black members across the region, both from cities with significant black populations such as Bristol, Swindon and Gloucester and from rural communities, where there is greater isolation.

Speakers included UNISON Assistant General Secretary Roger McKenzie and Wolverhampton South West MP Eleanor Smith, the former UNISON activist who became the first MP from an African-Caribbean background to represent a West Midlands constituency in this year’s general election.

The training was delivered by Ian Manborde, who is the National Equalities and Diversity organiser for Equity, and aimed to build confidence and encourage more black members to become active in UNISON at all levels and also to become leaders in their workplaces.

• Black members as leaders within the union and workplaces
• Inspirational black leaders
• Campaigning and organising around black issues
• The political and social context of black communities within the UK
• Why black members should get involved in UNISON

Wiltshire Police Black Members’ Rep Mamata Rai commented:

Overall the weekend was worthwhile. It was a great experience – a great way of networking, sharing ideas and knowledge and meeting new people.”

Regional Black members’ group chair Georgia Ramsay was equally positive and said:

The course gave a lot of people confidence and knowledge and they seemed to love it.”

The weekend was organised by UNISON South West Regional Women's & Equalities' Officer Vicky Boroughs. Vicky worked very hard sorting out practical arrangements and promoting the event to all members across the region identifying as black and minority ethnic. Vicky said:

This is something I have wanted to organise in this region for a very long time.  The regional black members committee suggested taster workshops which would enable members to understand what was being offered and why and of course to ask questions."

Four taster workshops were arranged in Plymouth, Taunton, Exeter and Bristol but this was reduced to two due to the number of registrations. However those that did attend gained a lot from the sessions and felt much more confident about attending the full weekend event.

Once this was arranged Vicky was very pleased with the level of interest. Vicky said:

I had plans in place to contact the neighbouring UNISON regions if we didn’t recruit enough to go ahead with the training.  So I was amazed when emails for more information and registrations started to pour in.”

In fact so many registered that Vicky, in consultation with the tutor, decided to extend the maximum of 15. In the end over 25 people booked, and 22 attended.

The weekend was an inspiring time as Vicky explained:

I visited the training on the Saturday and felt really emotional when I found a room full of black members who were completely enthralled listening to the Assistant General Secretary, Roger Mckenzie.

Members were further inspired by Eleanor Smith MP who spoke at the delegation meal that evening.  The fact that Roger, Eleanor and Ian shared experiences in their upbringing, background and working lives that so many members could relate to clearly had a major impact.”

As part of the training a follow up day in February is being held which Margaret Greer, National Race Equality officer will be in attendance.