Our Branch Team
These are the elected branch officers for 2025/2026
Dawn Ward
Branch Chair
Hi, my name is Dawn Ward, and I have been an accredited representative for nearly twenty years. I am a HCPC registered senior occupational therapist, and I have spent most of my career working across various services within Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (CAV UHB). I became a staff representative to help NHS workers thrive, feel valued, and be proud to be part of the NHS.
I am passionate about equal pay for work of equal value, practicing compassionate leadership, and tackling prejudice and injustice whenever we see or hear it. Currently, I serve as UNISON's Branch Chair and the Chair of the CYMRU/WALES Regional Health Committee. I also hold a National seat on the Health Service Group Executive.
Additionally, I am the elected Chair of the Staff Side group within CAV UHB, providing leadership and support to all trade unions with members working under Agenda for Change terms and conditions.
Bill Salter
Branch Vice Chair
I serve as the Branch Health & Safety Officer, supported by two Health and Safety advisors: Janice Aspinall and Andrew Palmer. Additionally, I hold the position of Branch Vice Chair.
In our Welsh region, I have been elected to several positions within Unison, including Health & Safety Chair and Operational Lead for Wales, specializing in campaigns for bands 1 to 5.
My primary role is Staff Side Lead for the CD&T Clinical Board
Mike Jones
Branch Secretary
My name is Mike Jones, and I have been supporting the Cardiff & Vale NHS Unison branch for over 31 years. For most of this time, I have served as the Branch Secretary, assisting the branch, branch officers, and UNISON members.
Julia Davies
Assistant Branch Secretary
I have been a UNIOSN representative since 2010. I am one of two who hold the position of Assistant Branch Secretary for Cardiff & Vale Unison Health Branch. I support/advise and represent members through difficult times during their employment within CAV UHB.
Over the years I have supported hundreds of members with issues such as:
- Sickness Absence
- Disability leave
- Health & Safety
- Disciplinary cases
- Dignity at work issues
- Grievances (Now called Respect and Resolution)
- Discrimination
- Pay issues
I am also the Staff Side Lead Trade Union Rep for Children & Women’s Clinical Board. I co-chair the clinical board Local Partnership Forum along with the clinical board Director of Operation and Delivery.
Mat Thomas
Assistant Branch Secretary
Since joining the Cardiff and Vale UNISON Branch, I have held various officer positions, including vice chair, chair, and membership service officer. Most recently, in April 2024, I was elected as an Assistant Branch Secretary.
Additionally, I am part of the broader trade union leadership team, serving as the Staff Side Lead representative for Capital Estates and Facilities. Together, we work as a collective group to build strength, partnerships, and shared success.
Janice Aspinall
Branch Treasurer
Responsible for managing branch finances, including keeping accounts.
The main responsibilities of branch treasurers include:
- keeping accounts in accordance with the rules;
- preparing budgets for defined areas of activities such as welfare, recruitment, campaigning, etc;
- providing reports on the financial position of the branch to the branch committee or branch executive committee;
- providing a detailed financial report for the annual branch meeting(s);
- advising the branch officers and branch committee on matters relating to financial management and appropriate expenditure;
- providing an audited annual return of branch income.
Rachel Lloyd-Jones
Assistant Treasurer
The assistant treasurer's primary responsibility is managing the branch's cash flow, ensuring sufficient funds are available to meet both operational and strategic requirements. This role includes forecasting cash inflows and outflows, optimizing working capital, and securing short-term and long-term financing. Additionally, the assistant treasurer monitors bank accounts, reconciles transactions, and reports on the cash position and performance.
Sophie Odunaike
Black Members Officer
My name is Sophie Odunaike currently an active member of Unison.
I joined Unison in 2016, I have attended many conferences such as Black members conference, Women conference and the National conference.
I moved to Cwn Taff branch in 2019 while I was a student nurse at the University of South Wales, at the same time working as a Health Support Worker in a Private health sector and as a bank staff with Royal Glamorgan Hospital.
A first time speaker during the National conference in Brighton supporting the motion “ More black Members to be involved in the Management Level of Unison.
Joined Cardiff and Vale Health Board 2023, but I was not able to continue my membership with Unison due to an overwhelming responsibilities as a Registered Mental Health Nurse..
I realised that Black Members need support in their various jobs and are underrepresented in every aspect.
I decided re-joined Unison to be able to encourage , empower and most importantly to support all Black Members as need be.
Mat Thomas
Communication Officer
I joined the NHS back in 2010 as a porter. I trained to become part of the Heli Pad portering team to support the Air Ambulance Emergency Landings in UHW. I became a trade union representative in 2016.
Since joining Cardiff and Vale UNISON Branch I have held numerous officer positions including, vice chair and chair, membership service officer and more recently I have been elected as an Assistant Branch Secretary since April 2024.
I am also part of the wider trade union leadership team as the Staff Side Lead rep for Capital Estates and Facilities.
We work together as a collective group to build strength, partnerships and shared success.
Next up take will be 2026
Disability Officer
UNISON’s disabled members’ group fights discrimination and campaigns for improved workplace accessibility and other issues. Find out how we campaign and organise at workplace, regional and national levels.
Madeleine Smith
Education Co-ordinator
Hi, my name is Maddy Smith, I have been an accredited Unison representative since 2018. I have worked in Cardiff and Vale UHB since 2006 and have worked in several different roles and department but mainly in Nutrition and Dietetics. I am currently the Environmental Officer and Education Coordinator for the health boards Unison branch and have been re-elected as Environmental officer for 3 years now. I became Environmental officer as I am passionate about nature and green issues, but this always works alongside my passion for workers' rights and protecting the rights of all NHS employees, working together to combat prejudice and striving to make Cardiff and Vale a greener and more pleasant place for all employees.
Cyrille Legras
ULR Learning Co-ordinator
Works with employers and co-ordinates the work of union learning reps in supporting members with lifelong learning and skills for life.
A branch with a number of union learning reps working as a team, led by a co-ordinator, can ensure:
- learning representatives are accountable and involved in the branch;
- learning is high on the branch’s agenda and linked into its organising, bargaining and equalities work;
- a clear progression route for learning representatives who want to become more involved in other aspects of branch activity.
The lifelong learning co-ordinator’s role includes:
- working closely with the branch education co-ordinator (the same person may take on both roles);
- co-ordinating the activity of union learning reps in the branch education team;
- working with colleagues to recruit and organise new learning representatives;
- being closely involved in negotiating around learning with the employer;
- making sure members have information on learning opportunities, including UNISON Open College courses, Return to Learn and Lifelong Learning;
- making sure the work of learning reps is fully integrated into the branch.
Abigail Bernard
Equality Officer
I have worked for the Health Board for 9 years, including 3 years in the Equity & Inclusion Department, which fuelled my passion for ensuring everyone is treated with equity and inclusion. I strive to foster a fair and supportive environment where all individuals can thrive and contribute their best because equity and inclusion are essential for creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential. I have been a rep for just over a year.
Becoming a union rep allows me to advocate for the rights and well-being of my colleagues. It provides an opportunity to ensure fair treatment, address concerns, and support a positive work environment. I believe that strong representation is crucial for fostering trust and collaboration within the workplace, and I am committed to making a difference through this role.
Madeleine Smith
Green/ Environmental Officer
Hi, my name is Maddy Smith, I have been an accredited Unison representative since 2018. I have worked in Cardiff and Vale UHB since 2006 and have worked in several different roles and department but mainly in Nutrition and Dietetics. I am currently the Environmental Officer and Education Coordinator for the health boards Unison branch and have been re-elected as Environmental officer for 3 years now. I became Environmental officer as I am passionate about nature and green issues, but this always works alongside my passion for workers' rights and protecting the rights of all NHS employees, working together to combat prejudice and striving to make Cardiff and Vale a greener and more pleasant place for all employees.
Bill Salter
Health & Safety Officer
I am the Branch Health & Safety Officer and have 3 Health and safety advisors with me who are Janice Aspinall Jacqueline Payter & Andrew Palmer.
I am also the Branch Vice Chair.
I have been elected in a few positions in Unison in our Welsh region as Health & Safety Chair and Operational Lead for Wales specialising in campaigns for bands 1s to 5.
My main role is Staff Side Lead for CD&T Clinical board.
Janice Aspinall
Health & Safety Advisor 1
Hi, my name is Janice Aspinall and I am a registered nurse, working in anaesthetics and have done this role since I qualified many years ago.
I have been a Trade Union rep for over 18 years, providing support when needed specialising in Health & Safety.
My role is to ensure the Health, Safety and Wellbeing of all UHB staff is paramount and that you are treated with compassion and fairness at all times.
I hold the role of Lead Rep for H&S Staff Side which is an elected post and I stand with all my Unison Colleagues to ensure that your voice is heard.
Andrew Palmer
Health & Safety Advisor 2
I am a Prosthetic Technician based in Rookwood Hospital with 28yrs service.
I am a H&S rep and a member of the Disabled Members SOG.
I became a rep 4 years ago because I wanted to help others and give something back for the help our department had received.
Next up take will be 2026
Health & Safety Advisor 3
What do Health and Safety reps do?
They:
- talk to members about their health and safety issues and work together with management to resolve these issues.
- investigate potential hazards
- raise concerns with your employer to improve safety in the workplace and deal with specific problems that arise at work
- promote better health and safety in the workplace and encourage everyone to get involved in the union – UNISON is the union that gets things done.
Cyrille Legras
International Officer
I develops and lead on international solidarity activities including campaigns, twinning with sister unions and support for projects abroad.
The role includes:
- co-ordinating the branch’s work on international relations;
- making sure members are informed of national policy on international matters;
- receiving and distributing relevant information;
- encouraging members to be aware of the importance of international solidarity issues within the context of the overall work of the union;
- liaising where appropriate with central and regional international structures and reporting the views of the branch on international activities;
- liaising with other branch officers concerning publicity and education on international issues;
- liaising with the solidarity organisations and campaigns that UNISON is affiliated to;
- encouraging members of the branch to take action and take part in international solidarity activities organised nationally or regionally;
- developing an international perspective among members, stewards and branch officers.
Helen Anderson
LGBT+ Officer
I'm Helen, the LGBTQ+ Officer for Cardiff and Vale Health branch. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I'm passionate about supporting the community and working to improve our rights both within the workplace and our wider lives. I have spent several years working in the UHB's Equity and Inclusion team before joining the Occupational Health team, and I set up the LGBTQ+ Blanket Project, which provides handmade blankets to LGBTQ+ people across the country who are struggling to keep warm in the cost of living crisis, or those who just needed some comfort.
I'm working on establishing a Self-Organised Group for LGBTQ+ members of Unison, and making sure LGBTQ+ voices are represented within the branch.
Members who are interested can get involved by completing this form (https://forms.office.com/e/eTT9xi2rkJ) to register their interest in joining the Self-Organised Group. Or if you have any questions, ideas, or suggestions, you can reach me by contacting helen.anderson6@wales.nhs.uk.
Lorna McCourt
Womens Officer
I became Womens officer as I am passionate about Women’s rights, and also their safety – both in the workplace and in the community, but this always works alongside my passion for workers' rights and protecting the rights of all NHS employees, working together to combat prejudice and striving to make Cardiff and Vale a safer place for all employees.
Mat Thomas
Membership Services Officer
I joined the NHS back in 2010 as a porter, I then did my training to become part of the Heli Pad portering team this was to support the Air Ambulance Emergency Landing in UHW .
I Became a Trade Union Representative in 2016, over the years I have supported hundreds of members with issue like.
- Sickness Absence issues and support
- Disability
- Health & Safety
- Disciplinaries
- Dignity out works
- Grievances (Now Called Respect and Resolution)
- Discrimination in the work place
- Racism
- Pay
- A lot of other Trade Union work on behalf of Unison and the Staff Side collective who’s moto’s is. Working Together The Cardiff and Vale Staff Side Group
Since joining the Unison Cardiff Branch, I have held numerous officer position within the branch they include, vice chair and then Chair of the CAV UNISON Health Branch.
Currently I am the membership service officer and I have become Assistant Branch Sectary since April 2024.
Next up take will be 2026
Recruitment Officer
Melvena Richards
Retired Members Officer
UNISON’s retired members play an active role in creating a fairer society.
Retired members campaign to improve:
- legislation
- pension provision
- action against discrimination, including age discrimination.
Retired members have a wealth of experience and knowledge that make them a valuable part of UNISON campaigns.
They also work closely with other member groups on almost every issue that affects workers in the UK, as well as fighting for quality public services, on which many older people rely.
Next up take will be 2026
Young members’ officer
Branch young members’ officer
The role of the branch young members’ officer is ideal for someone who is interested in becoming more active in the union. The post may be a stepping stone to becoming a steward or taking on wider roles.
The responsibilities include:
- recruiting new members and organising and encouraging existing young members to become active in the branch and in UNISON campaigns;
- building a branch young members’ organisation and making sure there are potential new young members’ officers in the future;
- making sure issues of concern to young workers are raised through the branch;
- acting as a focal point for all young workers in the branch and workplaces;
- receiving and distributing UNISON young members’ information.
Other branch officers will help in these tasks. Branch young members’ officer must be under 27 years of age for the whole of their term of office.
Lorna Mcourt
Labour Link Officer
I have been elected as Labour Link officer for our branch – holding this position for 4 years- this role ensures that Unison’s policies and priorities are taken into the heart of the Labour Party- making sure our voices are heard not just locally but on a national level.
Sandra Perks
Outside Employers Officer
I am the outside Caseworker for the Cardiff and Vale Health Branch, responsible for providing advice, guidance, and support to our members who work outside the NHS. I also provide information on how to become more involved in the union, including details on member benefits such as Unison rewards, which offer discounts on shopping and travel, learning and development opportunities like professional training courses, and welfare support and including financial assistance. Additionally, I conduct union information sessions for staff interested in joining and attend recruitment events
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