Dream it
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What You Say About Me….
These statements are written by our members in their own words!
“I am honored to write this testimonial for Debbie Croucher, whose exemplary dedication and skill as a union representative have profoundly impacted our cluster, Debbie, consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that the rights and needs of every union member are met with fairness and compassion. Her deep understanding of Santander, combined with her outstanding negotiation skills, has led to numerous successful resolutions and agreements that benefit all parties involved.
What sets Debbie apart is her unwavering commitment to transparency and communication. She keeps the union members well-informed and actively involves them in the decision-making process, fostering a sense of unity and trust. Her approachable demeanor and willingness to listen make her an invaluable advocate for our concerns, no matter how big or small.
Through her tireless efforts, Debbie has not only improved our working relationships but also strengthened the bond among colleagues. Her leadership and dedication are truly commendable, and I am grateful to have her as our union representative. She embodies the very spirit of unionism and is an inspiration to us all.”
“I have known Deborah Croucher for over 10 years, having met her when I was chairing disciplinary meetings within Santander. From the off I could see that Deb has the colleague and the Bank at the heart of what she does, providing a balanced, knowledgeable perspective as a Union Representative. Having dealt with a number of Advance Reps, Deb is always the one who is well versed on her colleague and the case, showing she has taken the time to not only understand the issue but also the person she is representing. This allows her to ensure the right outcome is gained for her member, even if that isn’t what the colleague wanted at the outset. She cares about the Bank and the people who work within it. She cares about fairness and what’s right, and understands the role of a union is not just to defend colleagues to make sure policy and procedure are followed and all are kept safe within the process. I have also seen Deb mediate difficult HR cases, helping both sides to genuinely listen and understand each others position and on many cases, resolve without the need to proceed to more formal means.
I have attended Branch leadership meetings with Advance, with our previous head of branch network Adam Bishop, and have always found Deb to be considered, firm and fair with what she shares, asks for and understands the boundaries and makes sure she works at them to deliver fair value for her members and the Bank. She never shies away from the difficult conversations, as she knows from experience being upfront and tackling issues early can lead to better outcomes for colleagues and the Bank. She works with the highest level of integrity and I have the highest regard for her as both a colleague and an Advance Representative.”
“I would like to recommend Debbie for the position of General Secretary of the Advance Union. Over the years, I have had the privilege of working closely with Debbie, and I can confidently say that she possesses all the qualities necessary to excel in this role.
Debbie is an exceptional leader with a proven track record of advocating for employees’ rights and fostering a supportive attitude. Her dedication to the union is unwavering and her actions demonstrate that she puts the employee at the heart of what she does. This makes her an ideal candidate for General Secretary.
One of Debbie’s most remarkable attributes is her ability to inspire people with hope. She has a unique talent for building strong relationships and creating a sense of community. Her inclusive approach ensures that every voice is heard and valued, which is essential for effective union leadership. Debbie is a natural choice and capable of navigating complex issues and finding solutions that benefit everyone involved.
In addition to her leadership skills, Debbie is highly organized and detail-oriented. She has successfully managed numerous cases, always demonstrating her ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines. Her strategic thinking and meticulous planning have led to positive outcomes. Debbie’s ability to anticipate challenges and proactively address them has earned her the respect and trust across the bank, and with her colleagues and everyone she has represented as a senior consultant.
Debbie’s passion for advocacy is evident in everything she does. She is a tireless champion for workers’ rights, always striving to create a fair and just workplace. Debbie is not only knowledgeable but also compassionate, always putting the needs of the members first.
Debbie is known for her integrity, honesty, and professionalism. She approaches every task with a positive attitude and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Her ability to remain calm and composed under pressure is particularly noteworthy, as it enables her to handle difficult situations with grace and effectiveness.
Seeing Debbie in action inspired me to become a union rep so I could help support others through challenging times. Debbie would make an outstanding candidate for the position of General Secretary.”
“I’ve known Debbie for over 15 years from our Bradford & Bingley days. We’ve worked together as colleagues in the branches, and again when I became a branch network Advance representative.
Debbie is honest, trustworthy, and really cares about our people in the bank and making a change for the better. There have been many times that I have sought support from Debbie and she’s always been there for me both personally and professionally, without Debbie, I couldn’t have gotten through some difficult situations I faced as a leader. The advice, guidance, and support was invaluable.
Debbie continues to give great advice to all those who need it and even now that I have left the branch network we catch up regularly. Debbie’s knowledge and experience as a former employee is absolutely key to truly understanding some of the things we can go through in such a large company, and she actively seeks out peoples thoughts and feelings on changes and how, or if they’ve affected us. If you want someone to truly listen, and be there for you when you need it then there is no better choice for General Secretary.”
“I would like to give a shout out and a thank you to Debbie Croucher for all the help and support she gave me while I was going through an impossible situation which was affecting my job and my personal life.
The support Debbie gave me, I will never forget and the positive impact she has had on my recovery and my career.
I have used the Union a few times now and in the past, to be honest I have always felt that it was more politically led and although some support has been provided, more often than not, the empathy just isn’t there, which is important if you have found yourself in a situation where you need to contact a union rep for support.
Debbie showed compassion and kindness and made it her mission to help me, making me feel I was the only person that mattered. Debbie communicated on my behalf with a very difficult manager who was making my situation a whole lot worse and this enabled me to stay in the business and seek the professional help that I so clearly needed at that time. I had several catch up calls with Debbie over a few weeks where she was regularly checking on my welfare and giving me that sympathetic ear when I felt so alone. This is definitely going above and beyond what you would normally expect from a union rep, and the main reason I have continued to be a member.
The support I received was so valuable to me and I have now gone on to be very successful in my career and am a much stronger person mentally.
I will forever be grateful to Debbie for her time and understanding with what was an extremely difficult time for me.
Thank you Debbie, you will never understand just how much you helped me. You were more than just a union rep for me and there needs to be more people like you in the union!!”
“I am writing a testimonial for Debbie, as personally I have benefited immensely from her support. I joined the union in around 2019.
At around this time I was going through a difficult time at work and actually personally too. I was struggling with anxiety, and was going through a difficult time in my personal life. At this point as well I faced a number of disciplinary hearings. I felt Isolated, and really alone. As if no one wanted to really hear my side of the story. It felt one sided, which was a major trigger to more anxiety. Through talking to Debbie, we worked together, and I really did feel supported. Deborah is really on your side, and if she is fighting your corner, you can rest assured that no corner will go unturned. The consequences I was facing at work were loss of bonus, loss of pay rise, even loss of job. I understand there is a process to go through, and I was given a fair opportunity to talk of my side of the story. But the way I felt was still very real, anyone else struggling with anxiety will probably understand how that feels and it sometimes can be crippling. Deborah really made me feel she was on my side, which was very important. All of a sudden you don’t feel too alone, you start feeling positive.
At the end of the hearings the correct decision was made, I kept my bonus, got my pay rise, and obviously kept my job. Just to have Deborah there was an amazing comfort but for me personally, it was more than the decision, it was feeling as if someone was there to hear me. Got my back so to speak. And in any scenario now knowing that with Deborah is on your side, you know that someone is backing you up, which instils confidence, and actually helps cope with any anxiety you are feeling.”
“Deborah is a very fair , pragmatic, balanced union leader . Her approach is always one that would benefit and resolve the issue for both parties. She has excellent mediation skills and will always aim to get the best outcome possible. I cannot recommend her enough both from a management and individual perspective having been an advance member for 15 years .”
“I can not speak more highly of Debbie, for me she represents everything a union leader should be and I only keep my membership going because I trust her implicitly. I have known Debbie a long time, and she has helped me on many occasion’s. Nothing is ever too much trouble and she displays empathy, care and understanding. She also has an enormous amount of knowledge and experience, which is valuable when dealing with complex cases. I will always be grateful for the time Debbie has given me. She is an asset to the Advance Union.”
“Deborah is dedicated, caring, professional, committed and supportive.
She has been dedicated to supporting me with an issue over the past 2 years. She has worked tirelessly and gave me energy and positivity at every setback we faced and it’s Deborah who has given me the strength to continue. She has kept in regular contact with me throughout this process, her support and communication has been invaluable. I am consistently impressed by her passion and the phenomenal effort she has put in to fight for the right outcome for me and the business.
I’ve been really impressed with her unwavering commitment to honesty and ethical behaviour, she demonstrates integrity in all situations which inspired me and am sure those around her.
Deborah has been very open, honest and clear in her communication style and made me feel not just supported but also educated. She has done this in the most caring of ways and has dealt with tears, disappointment and frustration with insurmountable compassion, yet maintained a professional manner with a clear vision of what is required to achieve a positive outcome. She has been my voice when I was unable to use mine.
Her knowledge and experience and ability to connect with various individuals at all levels is incredible and above all else I truly believe she cares. ”
“Debbie has helped me so much over the years, if it wasn’t for her help or support I would probably have left Santander due to the unfair situations I’ve had to deal with. Any concerns or questions I have I contact Debbie and nothing is ever too much for her, she’s so easy to talk to even when I’ve had to discuss really personal issues, I felt comfortable to do so with her. Before a colleague gave me her number I had to phone the union to get help, I had a while when I felt there was no support for me, and although I had thought of cancelling my subscription, I’m so glad I didn’t because once was given Debbie’s number, I realised I’d happily pay double if it meant I could still contact Debbie.”
“I wholeheartedly support Debbie. She is an outstanding executive and an even better person. During a critical time when I needed help, Debbie was there for me. She demonstrated patience, asked insightful questions, and approached my situation with clear objectivity. Her diligence and exceptional communication skills enabled her to bring various parties together and work out the best solution for everyone involved. Debbie’s ability to navigate complex issues and find common ground makes her an invaluable asset to our union”
“I met Deborah March last year when I contacted Union Advance to get help with a work-related situation. From the first moment I could tell that she was very professional and very, very committed to help.
During the process, were she acted as my representative, she always been balanced between being in my corner and have a true mediation attitude.
As time went by, she proved to be someone I can rely on and more important to help me above and beyond her duties and professional responsibility. A true testament to what is Union Advance and its mission.
Unfortunately, due to other situations that I been through with Santander, she stayed with me, always showing availability and commitment to help. We even had a catch-up on a Saturday which I believe evidence her high level of professionalism and commitment to Union associates.
I like to think that due to some of the discussion we had, more than my Union representative, Debbie (as I call her) became a confident that I can rely on and someone that I admire professionally and have nothing but a high value and absolute respect for her views and opinions.
Debbie is a high skilled and experienced professional, and to be honest I trust her with any decision related to Union and cannot see anyone else with a better set of experience, skills and most importantly a refreshing human touch in this fast-pacing world. A true add value to Union Advance.”
“I strongly believe that Debbie will be a great choice for the next General Secretary, you’ve been my biggest supporter during any tough period and you are always there for me. Thanks so much for being my cheerleader, you are truly a lifesaver for not only me, but for many of my colleagues too.”
“I have known Debbie for nearly three years. I have always found her knowledgeable, empathetic, supportive and helpful. Whether its a quick question or something that takes time, Debbie is always a call away . She has consistently gone out of her way to ensure my queries are fully resolved. She is a blessing for the Union who takes genuine interest to support and look after members. Thank you Debbie!!❤️🙂”
“I worked with Deborah at the Barnet branch of Santander, where she was my manager for many years. Deborah was a joy to work for; she was always fair, respectful and polite to everyone - staff, customers, cleaners and contractors. One of Deborahs skills was that she always truly listened to you, and helped you if she could. Deborah always ensured that you had the correct training and support that you needed to fulfil your role. Deborah has integrity, empathy, strength of character and kindness. Deborah would make a wonderful General Secretary for our Advance Union.”
“I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for all the support and guidance you have provided me throughout my career at Santander. Your unwavering dedication and assistance has been invaluable, especially during times when the managers refused to provide support. Your consistent presence and help have made a world of difference to me.
Your commitment to helping others and your exceptional support have had a significant positive impact on my professional journey. I truly appreciate everything you have done for me.
Your dedication to your role and commitment to helping colleagues and your ability to advocate for employees and provide reliable support makes you an invaluable asset to our union.
I wholeheartedly recommend Debbie as a trusted and effective union representative. Her contributions and dedication deserve the highest recognition as General Secretary.”
“I cannot recommend Deborah Croucher high enough. From my very first conversation with Deborah she was able to put me at ease, in what was a very difficult work situation. It is clear that Deborah always puts the members she works with first and this is the experience that I have personally had. It has been clear throughout my time with Deborah that she is incredibly knowledgable and that she goes above and beyond what others might do.
One example of this is picking up my call when she was on annual leave, she did not rush through the conversation but took her time to talk through my questions. This then put me at ease about the upcoming meeting.
Whenever she has had to attend meetings with me, she has always supported me through those meetings. Making sure that the points that I needed to get across were clearly articulated.
Had Deborah not been my union representative I strongly believe that I would have given up the fight, but with her industry knowledge and her personal support through the process, I have been able to navigate and keep going.
I am very thankful that Deborah Croucher was/is my union rep.”
“When I heard that Linda was retiring, I immediately thought Deborah would be the perfect replacement.
Deborah’s knowledge of the business, knowledge of the people she represents and her compassionate, caring nature is what is needed to lead Advance going forward.
I have known Deborah for 15 years, and she has been absolutely amazing in every way. She gives sound advice and has never steered me wrong. I trust her advice and integrity completely and I always recommend her to any colleague that needs some help from the Union.
She champions the people she represents and there is nobody better for the role of General Secretary.”
“In my 29 years in the Bank I have fortunately had very little need to contact my union.
However 5 years ago I found myself in an upsetting situation that spanned my work and personal life.
I simply wouldn’t have found the strength without Debbie. Her support, knowledge, empathy and professionalism exceeded my expectations. ”
“I’ve worked for the bank for 22 years, and throughout that period, I’ve also been a member of the union for 15 years. Several times, I have needed to rely on the Union’s professionalism, support, and knowledge. It has been my great fortune to have Deborah’s support each and every time. Her emotional intelligence, genuine care, and professionalism have always been of the greatest calibre in my opinion. Deborah helped me through difficult and uncertain periods in both my personal and professional lives. She was always there to offer genuine empathy and helpful advice to assist me in reaching a goal that has always been for my best.
She has helped me with parental leave clarity, resolving false allegations at work, applying corporate policy and procedure correctly, and supporting my request for a bank policy exception for working abroad. Each of which has produced a favourable conclusion for me.
Deborah has extensive experience and knowledge, which makes her an excellent Senior Union Representative and all the right qualities to make her an excellent General Secretary. I have persuaded several Santander employees to become members of the Union based on my interactions with Deborah.
Deborah has always made me feel at ease and confident in the circumstance when I’ve sat in on a business meeting with her by my side. She has an air of order, and exudes a sense of confidence, bravery, and fearlessness, all of which are exactly what is required in unpredictable times.
I have looked to her as a Senior Union Representative for support, inspiration, and direction, and she has never failed to meet my expectations. I fully endorse her application to become the next General Secretary.
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“At a stage where no one cared about my personal issues or working environment, there was Deb, fighting every step of the way for the right outcome. In a very difficult time in my life Deb was there to explain processes & reassured me at every stage throughout the process I was facing. With the high number of calls we had, each call was met with such understanding, empathy & I was dealing with a real person who cared for my wellbeing. I can genuinely say that had it not been for Deb, I wouldn’t have been able to navigate through this daunting stage of my career. Thank you for everything Deb, a real asset to Advance!”
“Debbie is a very supportive person. She displayed unique ingenuity in proffering solution to my concerns as a member of the union, She exemplifies compassion, integrity, professionalism and always ready to help when the need arises.”
“As an employee of Santander who has personally benefited from Debbie Croucher’s assistance, I strongly support her candidacy for General Secretary of the Advance Union. Debbie’s dedication and effectiveness were evident when she helped me resolve a challenging workplace issue. Her compassionate approach and deep understanding of our sector’s unique challenges made a significant difference in my situation. Debbie’s ability to listen attentively and act decisively ensured a fair and positive outcome for me. Her unwavering commitment to supporting employees, combined with her exceptional negotiation skills, makes her the ideal leader to advocate for all of us. With Debbie as General Secretary, I am confident that she will continue to champion our rights and enhance our working conditions, just as she did for me.”
“I’ve known Debbie for a long time, and she’s supported me when I needed the services of the union be it someone to explain policy in simple terms, parental leave issues, redundancy, redeployment to mention but a few. Debbie is approachable, a very good listener, put things in perspective & a voice for a lot of us who are unable to articulate clearly when we are emotional. Debbie’s wealth of knowledge is unbelievable. She will make an amazing General secretary, a fantastic leader, and an asset that Advance, Santander & all colleagues will benefit from for years to come. ”
“I would like to say that I feel that
Deborah Croucher should be made General Secretary.
I have worked for Santander for over 26 yrs and been a member of the union since .
There have been some occasions where I have needed the advice & support of a union representative and been lucky enough to have had Debbie .
I can honestly say she had been so supportive, understanding and passionate about helping and doing the right thing for members.
I am proud that Santander have such unique union representatives that actually reach out and care about the well being of their members and Debbie has shown this over many years .
I wish her all the success she deserves as I feel she is such an asset to us as members of the union”
“Debbie is an exceptional people’s person and simply wants to do the right thing for all parties. She is fair and transparent and puts her heart and soul into every interaction to support her colleagues. Her support has been invaluable to myself through some difficult situations where she put me at ease and truly listened. As a result, Debbie has made me realise how important being a member of Advance Union is which has led to me becoming a better leader. ”
“I can’t thank Debbie Croucher enough for her invaluable support during a challenging time. Her dedication and commitment as a union representative were evident as she went above and beyond to assist me. Debbie’s unwavering support and willingness to go the extra mile were truly remarkable. I wholeheartedly endorse her for the position of General Secretary and have no doubt that she will continue to be a beacon of support and advocacy for others in need.”
“I am pleased to write this testimonial for Deborah Croucher, a dedicated union worker at Santander Bank. Deborah has been an incredible support to me both professionally and personally. Her commitment and unwavering support have made a significant impact on my life.
I first met Deborah at Santander Bank, and from the very beginning, her dedication and passion for her work were evident. She always goes above and beyond to ensure that her colleagues feel supported and valued. Deborah’s knowledge and expertise in her field have been invaluable to me, providing guidance and assistance whenever needed.
In 2018, I faced a particularly challenging period in my personal life. During this time, Deborah stood by me with unwavering support. Her empathy, understanding, and encouragement helped me navigate through those tough times. Without her support, it would have been much more difficult to overcome the challenges I faced.
Deborah’s commitment to her colleagues and her ability to offer genuine care and assistance make her an exceptional union worker and the best candidate for the General Secretary. I am deeply grateful for everything she has done for me, and I am confident that she will continue to positively impact the lives of many others.
Thank you, Deborah, for your extraordinary support and dedication.”
“I am extremely greatful to Deborah Croucher at Advance Union for the help, support and representation I have received. Deborah is so kind, empathetic, and truly listens to you and your concerns. She has exceptional knowledge in all areas relating to employment which really helped with my case and made the whole process alot less stressful. From our first conversation I knew I had made the right decision, I was feeling quite overwhelmed but Deborah was so understanding and provided important information I wouldn’t have otherwise been aware of which instantly reduced my anxiety. Having a supportive representative who understands policy, the law, procedures, and your rights has been very valuable to me and my case. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Deborah to anyone with any employment issue or even for advice, infact I think it’s a must, you definitely won’t regret it!”
“I am writing to offer my highest recommendation for Debbie Croucher for the General Secretary role. Having worked closely with Debbie on many occasions in the form of advice, colleague representation, redundancy, redeployment, disciplinary cases and many other instances over my career with Santander. I can attest to her exceptional skills and capabilities.
Throughout our professional relationship Debbie consistently impressed me with her care, concern, knowledge and support around mental wellbeing and genuine interest in her representation. She not only represents and supports in a professional manner, Her knowledge around process and procedure is second to none. Debbie also has experience and qualification which she supports the external ACAS programme.
Debbie does not ‘hide behind policy’ and is a realest! From my own experience and knowledge, she has supported 100s of colleagues over her career to achieve the correct outcome for both Santander and the member she is supporting. On many occasions she has challenged seniors with factual information and professional representation.
In addition to Debbie’s technical aptitude, she excels as a strong communicator and collaborator, she posses the ability to foster strong working relationship and effectively being a ‘PEOPLES PERSON’ which has positively impacted members careers and livelihoods.
I wholeheartedly endorse Debbie for the opportunity and believe she would be a valuable asset, and one that can help support and bring change in a positive manner.”
“I have had the pleasure of knowing Debbie for the last 17 years and can say that she is a very supportive individual. She always exemplifies compassion, integrity, professionalism and is always ready to help when the need arises. We are lucky to have you Debbie!”
“I would like to wish Linda Rolph and Rose O’Neill best of luck for the adventure that is ahead of them.
May retirement be full of health, happiness and friendship. All the best and thank you for everything!
We are saying goodbye to Linda and Rose but at the same time there are great people who are within Advance Union Team, who support us, and the right thing would be to stand for them especially when we know that they are great in what they do.
I would like to take an opportunity to wish best of luck to Deborah Croucher who is applying for the General Secretary position, a vote from me for a great lady who is outspoken, professional, knowledgeable.
Deborah brings a passion in what she does, there is that understanding, empathy for others that is coming straight from her heart.
She has a great personality, despite a busy agenda she would always be there and never leave you without reply, help or advice.
Deborah was helping me when I was back to work after long absence due to serious health condition and when I had to find some challenges on the way upon my return to work.
I send her a message asking for help, she was on holidays with a 24h time difference but still contacted me ready to listen, support and with concern of my issue.
Every step that she took to help me was with consideration, dignity, fairness and diplomacy.
I’m very grateful that I met such a unique, great lady who helped me to go through difficult times.
We may all have different experience here and face various difficulties but from the bottom of my heart I do believe Deborah is the one that personally I would see as a great, future General Secretary.
With her on board I do believe the Team would have an opportunity to grow even more and provide even better support when we need.
Therefore, Deborah THANK YOU once more and I wish you best of luck with the future that’s ahead.”
“Debra would be an asset to the advance members if she was to become General Secretary, due to her dedication and support she currently gives. Debra is very approachable and easy to talk to, made me feel at ease to discuss my case, I had total trust and confidence in her from the moment we spoke.
I have worked over 30 years and thankfully not needed the assistance of advance Rep, but the one time I had an issue around Covid and flexible working. Debra was able to give me the guidance and support I needed and the matter was resolved on the same working day I had reached out, excellent service.”
“I am writing this testimony to wholeheartedly support Deborah Croucher for the position of General Secretary of our union.
One of the most impactful ways Deborah has supported me personally is through her assistance with my mental health. During a particularly challenging period, I reached out to Deborah for help. She not only provided me with immediate support and resources, but she also followed up regularly to ensure I was doing well. This level of care and attention is a testament to Deborah’s character and her genuine concern for the well-being of all union members.
She is approachable, empathetic, and always willing to listen to any concerns.
Deborah has a profound understanding of employee rights and isn’t afraid to challenge for them. She has always supported and advocated for me during a very tough time.
I wholeheartedly support Deborah Croucher for this position and believe she will continue to be a tremendous asset to our union in this role.”
“I strongly endorse Debbie’s candidacy to become the next General Secretary at Advance Union.
Debbie’s knowledge and her ability to connect with different individuals at all levels is incredible.
She is very approachable and easy to talk.
I am deeply grateful for what Debbie’s done for me in 2019 when I was going through a challenging and unfair situation at work. Debbie was so understanding, showed empathy and provided me with the immediate support.
I always recommend her to any colleague who need help from the Union.
With Debbie as our General Secretary, I am confident that she will continue to champion our rights.”