Become a five-minute activist

Being RCN-active for five minutes a day is all it takes to make a difference in your workplace and in the health care sector.

Five minute activism is simple, easy and really effective. Over a cup of tea, or after a shift, you can affect change for the benefit of colleagues, patients and the public by:

• keeping up-to-date with news, events and campaigns on the RCN website
• making sure your voice is heard – check out the RCN website for opportunities to contribute via surveys, consultations, voting and focus groups
• talking to colleagues or local representatives about the RCN
• looking at your workplace notice board to see what’s on locally
• reading RCN Bulletin during a break time
• responding to RCN surveys; they help us make our service relevant to you and influence policy makers
• commenting on the Discussion Zone on the RCN website
• helping RCN campaigns such as Frontline First by telling us what’s happening in your workplace and telling colleagues about the campaign.

Download our five-minute activist leaflet (PDF 627KB) [how to access PDF files] for more information and start spreading the word in your workplace!

The five-minute activist pledge

Many of our members have already made a pledge to become more active in the workplace. Here are just a few examples of the many inventive ways they've got involved:

• Simon Cadman, West Midlands: "I pledge to have a members’ intranet page on our trust website with email updates."
• Sarah Dimond-Garcia, Wales: "I pledge to promote the RCN at every opportunity."
• Elspeth Caithness, Scotland: "I pledge to encourage others to join and to get involved."
• Patricia Dixon, Northern: "I pledge to sort out the union office and notice board."
• Angela Mohamed, South East: "I pledge to recruit more stewards in my workplace and encourage more branch activity for members."
• Brenda McIlmurrary, Northern Ireland: "I pledge to increase awareness of the RCN."