That was the question that retired members came together to discuss and make plans for the future at their RCN Retired Member Conference on 4 September. There was much more too, with a programme designed by members creating a day full of energy and positivity.
Staff from the Activism Academy hosted a session during the afternoon aimed at getting feedback and ideas from retired members on how to improve their activist experience and how they could help support activism across the RCN.
Aileen Stoneham, an RCN member, spoke incredibly powerfully about her experience of retirement due to ill health. Alongside RCN staff, she laid out the different support options available to RCN members and the importance of having this support from other nurses.
Dianne Yarwood, Chair of the History of Nursing Forum, spoke about the forum's work, the value of being involved as a retired member, and some highlights from nursing practice in the past.
We closed the morning of the conference with a speech and session led by Christine Smith of the WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaign. Christine spoke movingly about the importance of older and retired people being involved in activism and campaigns and brought home what can be achieved when people take action together.
Activism Academy staff will use the feedback from the conference and suggestions for ways forward to design a refreshed activism structure for retired members next year.
