The SWU Union Contact Programme promotes the Social Workers Union and encourages new members to join. Union Contacts are the first point of contact for new and existing members, and they help us reach more social workers across the UK.
Our National Organiser Carol Reid works with every Union Contact to support them in their role of being the face and voice of SWU in workplaces, universities, and placements; promoting membership; and sharing SWU information. Union Contacts enable our full time Trade Union Officials to focus on direct employment negotiations.
All Union Contacts are reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses and they receive initial and ongoing training and support.
Have you thought about becoming a SWU Union Contact?
If you are a SWU member and you’d like to become more active and involved in your Union, you could become part of our SWU Union Contact Programme where you will be a vital member of our team and the voice of the Union in your workplace, university, or placement. You can find out more about becoming a SWU Union Contact here.
Meet Our Union Contacts
We value our SWU Union Contacts and enjoy hearing their reasons for getting involved and active in their Union. Here are just a few of our most recent UCs. If you’d like to be involved too, please get in touch with our National Organiser Carol Reid at carol.reid@swu-union.org.uk.
What our Union Contacts Have to Say about SWU
We love to hear about positive experiences of joining SWU. Here is a selection of recent comments from some of our Union Contacts.
“I was a member of another union and required social work representation at work, it was disheartening that my allocated Union Rep had no knowledge of social work at all. If I was left to agree with what they were advising despite my misgivings, eg I was asked to amend my statement to read a certain way that would read well to my employer. I then decided to join SWU after I was informed it was run by experienced SWs who have knowledge and understanding of the profession and active with working conditions.” – Thembi Jubane
“SWU is a union that is run by social workers for social workers. The representatives understand the role and pressures of social work and this insight enables them to offer meaningful and appropriate support. SWU and BASW together makes a strong combination.” – Colette Hawkens
“I joined BASW because of SWU. It is a professional union run by social workers for social workers who clearly understand SW values and ethics. I now want to get involved in advocating for the profession particularly as this matters to us and the people we work with” – Petra Heighway
“BASW and SWU are terrific organisations to join as a student. You get professional support/advice and it provides an opportunity to build on your strengths as part of a bigger network of social workers and social work students. I was attracted to SWU, they will be there to listen to your professional issues and give valuable and appropriate advice from social workers with knowledge” – Saima Naheed