High Peak 1 Derbyshire UNISON Rep Wins National Gold Medal for Union Work
Written by Kane Smith on 10/10/2025
A Derbyshire trade unionist has been recognised with one of the highest honours in the trade union movement for her outstanding contribution to defending public services and supporting workers.
© Jess Hurd 08/09/2025 Brighton. Sonya Pickford, UNISON, Women’s God Badge winner, TUC Congress. Photo credit: Jess Hurd
Sonya Pickford, UNISON Derbyshire’s Children’s Convenor and Health & Safety Lead, has been awarded the TUC Gold Medal, presented at the TUC Congress in Brighton on Tuesday 10 September.
Sonya, who lives in Whaley Bridge, received the award in recognition of her tireless campaigning on behalf of members and her central role in Derbyshire UNISON’s successful 2024 campaign to save five day centres for older people from closure. She continues to lead efforts to protect council staff following recent incidents of workplace violence.
I am humbled and honoured to be awarded the TUC Women’s Gold Badge award. I don’t feel I ever did anything other than what should be done. I always try to be there for the members, as sometimes they can be going through very stressful situations.I work with a great team at Derbyshire UNISON and have had the most fantastic role models in Branch Treasurer Jayne Barry and Retired Members Officer Lesley Whetton. They were there for me when I started out as a rep and continue to support me. The Derbyshire Branch of UNISON are an amazing bunch of people, who all work extremely hard supporting our members.
I lost my mum when I was 12. I left school and home at 16 with no qualifications, and went to work in care with disabled people, a job that I still do and still love. Becoming a rep for UNISON though is the best thing I have ever done as it has given me opportunities that I would otherwise not have had.If in winning this prestigious award I can inspire other women to get involved with the trade union movement and to make a difference in the workplace, then in my view that’s a good job done. If you are not in a union, then join one. You just never know where it will take you.
Martin Porter, UNISON Derbyshire Branch Secretary, said:
Sonya is a tireless campaigner who thoroughly deserves this award. Trade Unions are large organisations and sometimes it’s forgotten that at their heart are ordinary people doing extraordinary things for their colleagues. She is proof that people have the power to make changes for the better.
The TUC Gold Medal is awarded annually to a lay trade union representative who has shown exceptional commitment and made a significant difference to workers and their communities.
