The NW Branch Awards took place for the first time this year at the Congress welcoming reception for NW members, on Sunday 11 May 2025.

Spearheaded and funded by the North West Regional Board, there were two awards available per branch: Branch Representative of the Year and Campaigns Champion of the Year. 

Members could be nominated by their fellow branch members and had to meet criteria which demonstrated their commitment to either members or to RCN campaigns.

Congratulations to:

Claire Green - Isle of Man award Branch Representative of the Year and Campaigns Champion of the Year. 

Claire was nominated by three of her fellow branch members who all said that Claire stood out as someone from the branch who goes above and beyond as an RCN member.  

Claire has been on the branch committee from January 2023 to date and a board member from January 2025 and played an integral role to educate and guide members through complex pay negotiations has strengthened the collective voice of the union. She has also supported branch activities including the upcoming Assisted Dying Q&A and the Unified Filipino Community IOM's Family Fiesta and Sports Day.

Deborah Wolfendale said: “Claire has been a pillar of support for members facing personal and professional challenges. She approaches every issue with empathy and determination, providing invaluable advice and assistance.”

Gerard Hall described her as: “unwavering in her determination to support Isle of Man nurses.”

Molly Oates added: “Claire is the backbone of the Isle of Man branch.”

Harriet Davies - Lancashire West Branch Representative of the Year

Despite being new to the branch committee having only joined at the beginning of the year, Harriet was nominated by Susan Mench as she has thrown herself into ensuring the branch is on the North West map!

Susan said: “She has gone over and above to promote our branch, she helps with any activities and volunteers to help with anything we plan to do.  She is brilliant with coaching and welcoming new members into the branch. Excellent lady to have the pleasure of being in her company.”

Mark Anthony - Manchester Central Branch Campaigns Champion of the Year

Although newly retired, Mark continues to play a major role in supporting RCN members. He has been a rep, a member of the branch committee, a board member, a founding member of the Multicultural Group and could be found getting out the vote at every site across Manchester University Hospitals and he worked tirelessly to ensure that RCN members were able to be the voice of nursing.

In his nomination, Darragh Creagh Piper said: “He has dedicated the vast majority of his time to RCN and is continuously at the forefront of protecting nursing values and working standards. Mark’s work behind the scenes as both a rep and a campaigner has been phenomenal, regularly putting himself second to everyone and everything else.”

Eileen (Michelle) Murray - Lancashire East Branch Representative of the Year

Having been an RCN representative since 2016, Michelle also joined the branch committee last year.

In her nomination Sandra Slater-Booth said: “Michelle is one of those stewards that you want by your side if you have any worries, work issues, or concerns. She has helped to resolve many workplace issues. She regularly signposts people to RCN and Trust resources that can help and support them. She actively encourages people to use their voice to ensure their issues are highlighted and listened to.  She is prepared to challenge people, appropriately, regarding workplace issues and concerns.”

Paul McGuinness - Manchester Central Branch Representative of the Year

Paul has held multiple rep roles since 2009 and has also served on the branch committee.

Described as ‘incredibly committed’, his colleague Lindsey Foots nominated him for his work to support members in some of the most sensitive and delicate employment relations cases.

His colleague said: “He has supported members with incredibly sensitive health and conduct issues. He has acted as a broker and mediator where relationships have broken down.

Paul has also advocated around the nuances of car parking and relocation of services, supported his peer steward activist colleagues and developed strong relationships with the senior leadership team at the trust, and managed conflict within the local trade union members.

Susan Kenny – Cheshire Branch Representative of the Year

Sue is no stranger to the RCN having been a steward since 2009 and served on the branch committee for five years. In her nomination, Pamela Nziwa said: “She has been a pillar to me as a new LD rep.

Sue’s link Senior Regional Officer Kath Morgan has also praised Sue for her continued dedication and support of members within her Trust saying: “She has a can-do attitude to helping members and always goes the extra mile for the nursing family. Sue attempts to attend all meetings within her Trust that may affect the conditions or working practice of nurses that we represent.” 

Kath added: “Sue is not afraid to challenge practices that are outdated or not serving our members. Sue continues to help support members rights Trust wide and individual cases where members need support and guidance to navigate employment relations to ensure fair treatment. Sue always endeavours to raise the profile and voice of nursing at Trust and branch level, and her contribution is recognised in a small way today.”

Sunday Babanumi – Manchester Central Branch Representative (recognition certificate)

Sunday is a worthy runner up in this category having been nominated by Rubina Vipin who said that he “is the best RCN rep I have ever been supported with.” She added that advocates, guides and supports in a very honest way that members can trust he is acting on their behalf not just there to please and favour authorities. He is assertive, honest and deserving of all the praise.

Sandra Slater-Booth, Lancashire East Branch Representative (recognition certificate)

Sandra deserves to receive this recognition having been a long-time active member of the RCN.  Nominated by Kath Allan, who said she wanted to nominate Sandra ‘for the amount of time she gives to RCN members,’ and for the ‘positive involvement with our branch’, Sandra clearly demonstrates a commitment to supporting members having been a learning rep since July 2014 and an RCN Steward since September 2016. She is also an active and familiar face within the branch having been on the executive for 6 years. Well done Sandra, this recognition for your dedication to RCN members and campaigns, is very much deserved.