Get involved this month with...

'Join -us' :From workshops and webinars - to walking and wellbeing sessions.

Visit our new 'Join -us' page for our calendar of dedicated free staff health, wellbeing, equality and diversity training sessions - along with other health and wellbeing events you can take part in.

3 April 2024 - Women in Leadership Event with Naghat Ahmed

The Glasgow City Council Women's Network invite all staff to our first Women in Leadership event of 2024.

Naghat Ahmed is a Law and Accountancy graduate and a board member for Social Security Scotland, the Care Inspectorate and a committee member of the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland.

She previously worked in the Commission for Racial Equality and NHS 24, specialising in equality and diversity. Naghat is also a carer for relatives who have disabilities. Naghat was a committee member of the Law Society of Scotland Client Protection Sub committee and recently won the award for Achievements in the Public Sector/Third Sector at the Scottish Asian Business Awards 2023.

Who can attend?

• The event is open to all staff across the council family

Event Details

• Wednesday 17 April 2024
• 12.00 to 1pm
• The event will be held on MS Teams
• SIGN UP NOW

If you would like to join the Women's Network mailing list of find out about how the network can support you go to Connect or email womensnetwork@glasgow.gov.uk

3 April 2024 - GOLD Module of the Month: supporting World Autism Acceptance Week

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world.

This year we are supporting World Autism Acceptance week from 2-8 April 2024, by encouraging staff to take our Autism Spectrum Condition e-learning course on GOLD to help raise awareness of Autism.

In this basic awareness course you will learn about some of the strengths, differences and difficulties that autistic people may share and learn what strategies can sometimes help. There are also links to websites and recommended reading that will enable you to broaden your learning experience should you wish to explore the world of autism further.

Take the course on GOLD at Autism Spectrum Condition Basic Awareness

Support

Please select Online Resources and GOLD on Connect if you need more information on accessing GOLD.

For more information visit  World Autism Acceptance Week

'Join us'

Visit Key Dates - Glasgow City Council for our Inclusion Calendar which lists diverse holidays, cultural events, religious celebrations and wellbeing awareness dates linked to associated training at 'Join us' - staff training and events - Glasgow City Council

3 April 2024 - Like to give this a try? Join our team!

Did you know that the council has its very own Lawn Bowls club?

The Glasgow City Council Bowling Club was established over 120 years ago and as such has developed a proud history and tradition.

The bowling season runs from April to September and the current council club includes both former and current employees from across all areas of the organisation - including staff and Elected Members.  

The Club are always looking for new members to come along and join them each week during the season for a game - and to take part in the regular competitions and compete for coveted trophies! The Club don't have a dedicated Home Green so they play at different club locations on a weekly basis - giving you the opportunity to explore new venues each session.

As Graeme Lowe, Senior Health and Safety Advisor and current club secretary explains: "Lawn bowls is great fun and a good sport to take up if you are looking for some gentle exercise. We are keen to welcome new members and please don't  worry if you have never played before - our club members are very welcoming and keen to share their passion for the sport and help you to learn and develop, whilst having fun!  Our club is also a great way to make new friends. I've personally made some long term friendships through the club with my council colleagues knowing that our paths would not had the opportunity to cross through our normal day to day roles if it wasn't for our club. Any employee is welcome to come along and take part - just bring your enthusiasm."

To find out more about the club you can email Graeme Lowe (on Outlook) or email secretary@gccbc.co.uk directly.

3 April 2024 - Spring into Action

As we say hello to April, we are inviting you to Spring into Action and help others through a regular charitable donation.

Donating through Payroll Giving is a simple, tax-effective way of helping those charities close to your heart.

For every £1 donated, it will only cost you 80p if you are a standard rate taxpayer or just 60p if you are a higher rate taxpayer - as the tax is given back at source through your salary.

Charities need our help more than ever to enable them to continue to support people in need.

Watch a real example of the people you could help at https://youtu.be/RR7fXyrFtO8.

Sign up to donate here

6 March 2024 - Seated Acupressure Massages: Tuesday 12 March

Take time out of your busy day for you and your wellbeing and book a 15-minute seated acupressure massage with Grace Taylor from Incorporate Massage.

Booking conditions apply

• This health and wellbeing service is very popular with staff and places fill up quickly.
• Therefore, please note that if you need to cancel your booking you must give Grace 24 hours' notice to avoid being charged.
• Missed appointments may still be chargeable.   

Location and access

• Massages will be carried out in the private Wellbeing Room 2.25, City Chambers East Building at 40 John Street.
• If you do not have access to the building, please report to the reception at 40 John Street - where you will be issued with a temporary building pass for this session.
• Please make sure that you return your pass to reception, before you leave the building, so it can be used by the next visitor.

Massage format

• The massage uses Swedish Massage Techniques.
• Incorporating the head, neck, shoulders, back, hands and arms, to help reduce stress.
• It is fully clothed with no oils used.

Availability

On Tuesday 12 March- available slots are:

Costs

• £15 for 15 minutes
• Payments should be made directly to Grace upon arrival.

Sign up now

• To book your space, please email grace@incorporatemassage.co.uk with subject "GCC Massages"and provide your name and both the date and time slot you are interested in. 
• Please see the booking conditions above.
• Spaces are limited and will be based on first come, first served basis so book now to avoid disappointment.

6 March 2024 - Let's deal with it... together

Debt Awareness Week, 18 to 24 March 2024, is an annual event led by the UK's leading provider of free debt advice, StepChange.

The week aims to increase awareness of problem debt, break down barriers to seeking help and highlight the solutions available to you. Amid the cost-of-living crisis, it's more important than ever that people experiencing financial difficulty have access to debt advice when they most need it.

This Debt Awareness Week, StepChange is addressing the five most common barriers to debt advice. These are:

1. Not understanding what debt advice is
2. Mental health and vulnerabilities
3. Fear about the impact on credit scores or not being able to borrow money
4. Not having the time to get help
5. Shame and stigma.

Supporting you

• We want to support all our colleagues. If you are struggling with your finances, then you can get free, impartial, and completely confidential advice from StepChange.
• You can also access our staff 'Your financial wellbeing - key advice and support factsheet' and get more information at Financial wellbeing - poverty isn't a choice: supporting one another - Glasgow City Council
• Be reassured - getting debt advice will have no impact on your credit score.
• You can take their 60 second debt test to help you understand if you may need additional support.
• Join us at our Credit and Debt Virtual Workshop with Money Advice Scotland on 21 March 2024.

More information

• During the week StepChange will provide more information, insights and content to support you and help to break down those five barriers listed above.
• You can also phone them on 0800 138 1111. Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 2pm
• Visit our dedicated staff page - Financial wellbeing - poverty isn't a choice: supporting one another - Glasgow City Council
• Key Dates and 'Join us' - staff training and events

6 March 2024 - GOLD Module of the Month - Healthy Living

As daylight increases and the temperature rises it is a time that many people think about healthier living.

This GOLD module explores the importance of a healthy diet, exercise and sleep and the influence each of these have on an individual's health and wellbeing. It looks at a variety of food types and what makes a healthy lunch box. It also explores the benefits of exercise and looks at some methods for improving the quality and quantity of your sleep.

'Join us'

• Take our Healthy Living course on GOLD here
• This is to help support Nutrition and Hydration Week from 11 March as shown on our new Key Dates staff web page.

Please select Online Resources and GOLD on Connect if you need more information on accessing GOLD.

6 March 2024 - Join the Lord Provost for lunch - charity event

Join the Lord Provost at her Summer Charity Lunch on Saturday 8 June, from 12.30 for an afternoon of fun, delicious food and great entertainment in the stunning Banqueting Hall of the City Chambers.

Come along and enjoy a great day out whilst supporting the Lord Provost's Charity fund helping young people and vulnerable citizens throughout the city.

Tickets

Cost £60 per ticket or £600 for table of 10

This includes:

• Drinks reception
• 3 course lunch with wine
• Entertainment

There will be a raffle and silent auction on the day too.

Secure your place
Email civics@glasgow.gov.uk to purchase tickets.

6 March 2024 - Watch the video to see why it's a cracking idea

As we look forward to new beginnings in Spring, we wanted to let you know what a cracking idea Payroll Giving is!

Payroll Giving is a win-win for employees and charities.

It is easy to set up, and tax-effective, watch this video to see why charities love it!

You can give more and pay less- for every £1 you donate, it will only cost you 80p if you are a standard rate taxpayer or just 60p if you are a higher rate taxpayer.

Don't miss the opportunity to be part of something big - join over 1 million UK employees who are already donating through their pay.

Sign up here.