Advance Union is making a renewed commitment to strengthen our presence across the branch network throughout the second half of 2026 and into 2027. As part of this, our Regional Organisers and Recruitment & Retention team will be visiting as many branches as possible to meet colleagues, listen to local experiences, and ensure members feel supported, informed and connected.

Since beginning these visits, we’ve already received valuable and consistent feedback from branch colleagues. Many have shared that they often feel disconnected from wider organisational updates and truly appreciate having the opportunity to speak directly with Advance Union representatives. We’ve heard recurring themes around workload pressures including Voice, customer‑facing challenges, and the need for clearer communication on policies and changes. Colleagues have also told us how reassuring it is to have Advance Union present in their branch, with several saying they hadn’t fully understood the benefits of membership until speaking with us face‑to‑face.

We recognise that some branches may be more difficult for us to reach in person due to location or operational constraints. In these cases, we will arrange Teams calls to ensure colleagues still have the opportunity to speak with us directly. Our commitment is that no branch is left out, and every team has access to Advance Union support and engagement.

These early conversations have reinforced how important it is for us to be visible, accessible and proactive across the network. By spending time on site or connecting virtually where needed, we can build trust, strengthen relationships and ensure branch voices are heard at a national level.

As we continue this momentum throughout the remainder of 2026 and into 2027, we want every branch to feel included, supported and valued. Whether it’s answering questions, offering guidance, or simply being present in the workplace, our aim is to create a stronger, more connected branch community.

If any branch colleagues would like to know more about these visits or would like to arrange one, please get in touch with Saiqa Manzoor at saiqa@advance-union.org

We look forward to meeting you soon!