Our hugely popular and successful regional Leadership School is back for 2025/2026!
The aim of the training is to bring together an intake of dedicated and enthusiastic activists from across our region and provide them with a bespoke package of training to help equip them to take on leadership roles within our union.
As a member-led union, it is vital we support those who dedicate their time to our lay democracy and ensure that we remain a vibrant campaigning union. To do this, we need to invest in the leaders of the future.
We are seeking a diverse cohort of activists with different levels of experience and backgrounds. Applicants will be assessed on the content of their application, with UNISON guidelines on proportionality and fair representation being adhered to.
In order to be considered applicants must commit to attending the whole course and must confirm their availability for all dates.
The course outline and dates are listed below.
| Introduction to the Leadership School |
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| Weekend 1: Leadership skills |
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| Weekend 2: Public speaking and presentational skills |
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| Weekend 3: Handling the media and building social media skills |
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| Leadership School: Wrap up session |
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HOW TO APPLY
Applicants should complete and sign the declaration of interest form below and pass it to their Branch Secretary to countersign (in cases where the Branch Secretary is the applicant, the form should be countersigned by another senior officer of the branch).
Leadership School 2025 – 2026 Application Form
Leadership School 2025 – 2026 Information Sheet
Given this course will provide access to quality training and development, if applicants secure a place their branch are required to pay a course fee of £500. This is heavily subsided with the majority of course costs met by the region.
Branches will need to meet travel expenses for the course. Applicants will be eligible to claim for dependent care expenses, paid for by the region, in-line with UNISON’s expenses scheme.
The Leadership School candidates will be assessed on the content of their application, with UNISON guidelines on proportionality and fair representation being adhered to.
NOTE: By countersigning the application, branches are agreeing to pay the course fee if the applicant is offered a place on the leadership skills school.
Forms to be returned to r.hodson@unison.co.uk by 12 Noon on Monday 3 November 2025. Successful applicants and their branches will be notified on 7 November 2025.