May 2021
View key Health and Wellbeing and Equality and Diversity dates for this month on our 
Inclusion Calendar May 2021 [289kb]
Your Health and Wellbeing Digital Roadshow Programme
Following extremely positive feedback, more roadshows will be announced soon.
Workplace Options on demand webinar - Addressing Anxiety in an Uncertain World
Join this month's webinar from Workplace Options - our employee assistance provider - all about Anxiety in an Uncertain World.
The webinar will explore how we can recognise anxiety within ourselves, and also touch on how we can manage anxiety to actively combat the physical and mental effects in a practical way.
The webinar is available on demand from Monday 24 May. This means that you can view the presentation and download all accompanying materials at a time that's convenient for you.
Join the Webinar - to get started phone or login to Workplace Options.
Visit Connect to access our council login details. If you do not currently have access to Connect please ask your manager to provide these details to you.
More information
You can find out more about Workplace Options at workplaceoptions.com
Freephone: 0800 247 1100
The Aye Write online book festival is underway
The Aye Write online book festival started this weekend with a packed programme of events including award-winning writers, stars of stage and screen, as well as some of Scotland's finest new writing talent. Aye Write is Glasgow's Book Festival and is produced by Glasgow Life, the charity which delivers culture and sport in the city.
Aye Write runs from Friday 14 May to Sunday 16 May and Friday 21 May to Sunday 23 May 2021. The full digital programme is available HERE
Following the book festival (Monday 24 May to Saturday 29 May), the Aye Write Creative Writing Programme, in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde: Centre for Lifelong Learner, University of Glasgow, Glasgow Caledonian University and the Gaelic Books Council, offers the chance to develop writing skills in many different forms including sessions on: writing for television with celebrated TV writer Ann Marie di Mambro (Casualty, EastEnders and Inspector Linley); writing for radio with regular BBC Radio contributor Chris Dolan; plus further workshops in song writing, on getting published, Gaelic nature writing and poetry.
The packed six-day programme culminates in a full day of creative writing tuition, The Aye Write Creative Writing Masterclasses, including lectures on finding your writing voice; perfecting the setting; advice on revising and editing, as well as a live panel of industry experts on how to get published, finishing with an inspiring session with Mayflies author Andrew O'Hagan.
The live book festival, usually held in March at the Mitchell Library, was postponed due to Government guidelines in response to Covid-19. Instead, the 16th edition of Aye Write will take place online.
Over two thirds of the programme will be live via an accessible, Pay Per View,digital platform, with the opportunity for audiences to be able to ask questions and engage in the talks. Most of the live and recorded content will be available online for three weeks after each event, allowing people the luxury of being able to pick and choose when to watch.
More information
Find out more, including what's on and how to book, at glasgowlife.org.uk
Mental Health Awareness Week, 10 to 18 May 2021
The theme of this year's event, hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, is 'Nature'.
Having access to nature and being able to benefit from its many advantages is a key part of keeping good mental health.
We've seen just how important nature is during the last year especially. Being able to go for walks and enjoy the beauty of nature during a time of stress and anxiety has helped many people during lockdown.
This week-long campaign aims to explore any barriers to people being able to enjoy nature. The aim is to give everyone an opportunity to enjoy nature and reap the associated benefits to good mental health and wellbeing.
How to get involved
- Experience nature: take time this week to recognise and grow your connection with nature; take a moment to notice and appreciate nature in your daily life.
- Share nature: take a photo, video or sound recording and share the connections you've made during the week, to inspire others. Join the discussion on how you're connecting with nature by using the hashtags #ConnectWithNature and #MentalHeatlhAwarenessWeek
- Talk about nature: use tips, research and guides to discuss in your family, workplace and community how you can help encourage people to find new ways to connect with nature in your local environment.
More information
Find more, including how to get involved, at mentalhealth.org.uk
Can your charity bank on you? Make a regular tax-free donation direct from you pay
There are very few things you can bank on - the weather is unpredictable, plans can change but if you're looking for a safe, flexible way to support your chosen charity then the Payroll Giving scheme is just what you need.
Take time this bank holiday month and sign up to tax free, regular donations taken straight from pay. You can join the scheme or amend your existing donation anytime
Sign up here
