There are almost 200 RCM branches across all four countries of the UK, which undertake a broad range of activities in their local workplaces.

These activities include representing members individually, addressing workplace issues, hosting branch learning events, supporting members to attend RCM conferences and events, celebrating midwifery locally and reimbursing expenses incurred by workplace representatives while supporting members.

View the latest news and updates for our increasingly active branches here in our branch news. The role of an RCM branch is to promote and advance excellence in midwifery practice and policy by enabling members to meet together locally for trade union, professional, educational and social purposes. The branch governance handbook will support the branch committee in running a successful branch, providing guidance, information and advice.

Role of RCM branches

The branch is the basic unit of RCM organisation and all members can belong to one. RCM branches undertake the following activities:

• engage with their members, hold branch meetings and maintain a local profile by reaching out to members on social media and workplace notice boards
• aim to encourage, facilitate and support the building of a strong workplace organisation
• support their members in relation to professional and employment issues, workplace health, safety and wellbeing, including Caring For You as well as professional and lifelong learning
• provide a means for members to participate in the wider union and professional organisation
• hold an annual general meeting (AGM) each year to re-elect branch officers, workplace representatives and MSW advocates.
• Recruitment of members to build a stronger branch
• RCM guide - how to respond to reasons for not joining a union
• Application to open a RCM branch