There are some truly amazing branches and activists in the Eastern region and every year we take a moment to pay tribute to them with our One Weekend awards.
So, pop a bottle of bubbly as we celebrate the best of the best — our One Weekend prize-winners.
Young Activist of the Year
Santhosh Kumar Karruppsasamy
In a relatively short space of time, Santhosh has taken on a number of key roles —LGBT+ officer, young members officer and union learning rep — with a pace, energy and commitment that makes you sit up and take notice.
He has helped grow membership, increase branch visibility through walkabouts and engagement with young members and created new opportunities for people to get involved.
And despite being so near the beginning of his union journey, he’s already actively inspiring others to step up and get involved.
Santhosh has shown he embodies the values of our union — through action, through leadership, and through a genuine commitment to fairness and equality.
Health and safety Branch of the Year
Colchester and Ipswich Area Health
This is a branch that has really gone above and beyond. They’ve wielded the law as a weapon to ensure that, despite a hostile employer, inspections are carried out and safety improvements are made — not just for UNISON members but as the only union doing it in the trust.
Their engagement with members has been equally impressive—gathering around 200 responses through the “Impact of Epic” survey, and again through UNISON’s “Only Enough is Enough” safe staffing campaign—giving a powerful voice to staff concerns.
This is not just about inspections. This is about changing culture—from one of hostility to one of safety, accountability, and respect.
Communications Branch of the Year
Norfolk Community Health
During a time of real challenge and change, NCH branch has shown that good communication can bring people together and offer reassurance.
It’s made itself visible, approachable and responsive — and clearly shown that the way we communicate can shape how people feel.
That kind of communication leaves a lasting impact. It strengthens solidarity. It builds confidence. It reminds people of the power of collective support and of everything a union can be at its very best. And all this has contributed towards the branch’s ongoing membership growth.
Equalities Activist of the Year
Sudesh Rani
Sudesh doesn’t just talk about equality, she lives and breathes it every day. She’s making a remarkable impact as equalities officer, international officer and Labour Link officer, all without any facilities time.
And she’s always the first to volunteer — despite a raft of responsibilities in her community.
Her commitment to fighting caste discrimination has never wavered, even in the face of a life-threatening illness and long period of recovery. It was through her personal tenacity that this issue was debated at conference.
Quite simply, Sudesh embodies the very best of trade union values—selflessness, determination, and an unwavering commitment to fairness.
Activist of the year
Ryan McCready
Ryan’s been central to rebuilding the branch at the University of Essex, and he’s done it while facing a brutal onslaught on jobs.
He’s rebuilt a branch committee, met local politicians, delivered a successful industrial action ballot, organised demonstrations and constantly led from the front.
Ryan lifts people up, supports his fellow reps, and inspires those around him. Even when facing personal challenges, he stays focused on the cause and on doing what’s right for members.
He may be humble about his achievements — but he thoroughly deserves recognition.
Green activist of the year
Amy Davies
Amy has brought energy, commitment and real purpose to green work, helping to ensure that sustainability has not been treated as an optional extra, but as an important and visible part of union activity.
When 2026 was declared Year of Green Activity, she quickly produced a full 12-month programme of green events that’s created a real momentum behind the campaign at Cambridge University Hospitals branch.
She’s attracted national speakers to events and let nature walks and concourse outreach sessions, distributing seeds to create a lasting legacy of the year.
And she’s not just reaching out to staff — she’s worked closely with the trust to promote sustainability — even funding ways that going green can keep the finances out of the red — something that’s particularly welcome with ever-tightening budgets.
Social care Active Member
Kolade Hassan
Kolade stood out in a crowded field of incredible social care active members. One of the first to take the pledge in the region, he quickly proved himself a natural leader.
Quietly spoken — but always heard. Respected, trusted, and looked up to by his peers. He gives his time freely and generously: attending meetings, events, travelling across the region, to London, to congress, even to Parliament… often straight from a night shift.
Kolade has been particularly active in social care and the fair visa campaign, but he doesn’t just campaign, he organises, builds and supports. He’s UNISON to his core and a real asset to the region.
Recruiting branch of the year
University of Essex UNISON
This branch has delivered astounding growth of over 40% in very challenging circumstances. Activity has gone into overdrive since the announcement of 400 job losses — on top of hundreds more over the past few years.
This hasn’t been a management team hoping to work with unions to minimise job losses or find alternatives to cuts — they’ve attacked facility time, tried to sideline reps and directly challenged workers’ leaders.
But the branch has shown that visibility and activity can lead to massive increases in numbers — with rallies on both campuses, a march through Southend and engagement with politicians. Alongside that they’ve really strengthened capacity, nearly doubling the number of reps from eight to 15.
Campaigning Branch of the Year
Cambridge University Hospitals
CUH branch has stood up for members’ pay, safety and dignity, always keeping people at the heart of its campaigning.
It’s helped make the workplace safer, supported staff through rising living costs, and provided practical help including lower parking charges, subsidised travel and canteen support.
Its support for migrant workers and overseas staff has been equally important, offering not just representation, but reassurance, welcome and a real sense of belonging.
And through a difficult period of NHS cuts and redundancies, the branch has continued to recruit, organise and stand firmly beside its members.
Organising to Win Award
Lift organising committee
This is the first year for the Organising to Win Award and it’s appropriately going to some real trailblazers.
For far too long, school support staff have been overlooked, undervalued, and underpaid. And nowhere is that more unjust than in special needs schools. These are workplaces where skill, patience, compassion, and resilience are not optional — they are essential.
But this group of workers has well and truly upset the applecart. They knew what justice meant and they’ve been determined to fight for it.
Throughout their fight, trust leaders just tried to ignore them – but that just spurred them on. To huge turnouts and Yes votes in consultative ballots then industrial action ballots, to eight days of strikes, to trust HQ in London (twice) to make sure bosses couldn’t ignore them any more.
Finally, Lift listened and agreed to pay workers a SEN allowance. Their example is already inspiring other workers around the country.
