December 2021

15 December - Your Local Government Pay Award for 2021 to 2022

The 2021 to 2022 Local Government Pay Award was agreed on 1 December 2021.

You will receive your first payment in respect of the 2021 to 2022 Pay Award, which will include backdated pay, in your January salary - on 11 January 2022.

This pay award covers the period from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022 and sees:

• an increase in the Scottish Local Government Living Wage rate to £9.78 per hour*

• a £850 increase in salary for all those who earn £25,000 or less

• a 2% increase for those earning more than £25,000 and up to £40,000

• a 1% increase for those earning more than £40,000 and up to £80,000

• an £800 flat rate increase in salary for all those earning over £80,000 annually

Extra three months backdated pay

For this year only, the pay award increase is being backdated to include an extra 3 months and starts from 1 January 2021. Therefore, you will receive a full year's backdated pay in your January 2022 salary.

*Glasgow Living Wage - effective from April 2021

On 1 April 2021 the council was committed to supporting the Grade 1 hourly rate - the Glasgow Living Wage - and it increased the hourly rate from £9.34 to £9.54 from this date.

Therefore, if you are paid at Grade 1, in your January 2022 pay, your backdated pay will contain the difference between the Glasgow Living Wage you've received since April 2021 and the £850 flat rate increase agreed as part of the 2021 to 2022 Pay Award settlement. You will also receive the additional 3 months back dated pay from January 2021 to March 2021.

Universal Credit

Staff who are in receipt of Universal Credit should note that the backdated pay may impact your payments. More information will be communicated to staff shortly. 

15 December - Reinstatement of 90 day lockout procedures on inactive Windows devices

From Wednesday 5 January 2022, CGI are reinstating the 90 day lockout on inactive Windows devices.

The change will mean that any devices not used since 7 October 2021 will be disabled. The change applies to all versions including Windows 7,8.1 and 10.

John McBride, Senior Officer End User Computing, Strategic Innovation and Technology,said: "The change will mean that after 90 days of a device not connecting to the network - either at home through AOVPN or in the office - it will be disabled and no-one will be able to logon and use the device.

"We're reinstating the 90 day lockdown for security reasons. Windows devices that have been off the network become a security risk and are therefore disabled to protect the integrity of our network and computer systems."

How will the change impact you?

·       If you are actively using your device, there should be no impact to you.

·       Staff who are off on long term sick may have to have their device re-enabled and possibly rebuilt / reissued by CGI - depending on the length of time that has passed.      

What do you need to do / how to report a problem?

·       You don't need to do anything.

·       Should your device be disabled when it shouldn't have been,  please contact the CGI Service Desk on 0141 287 4000.

15 December - NRS support community clean up event in Tollcross

The NRS Neighbourhood Liaison team in the north east of the city supported a local community litter pick event  in Tollcross on Monday 18 October.

The Neighbourhood Improvement and Enforcement Service (NIES) team provided volunteers with support and equipment including litter picks, high visibility vests and refuse sacks. Sandy Johnston from the NIES team also liaised with cleansing colleagues at Queenslie cleansing depot  to organise uplift of the bin bags collected.

The community clean up was organised by the Auchenshuggle and Tollcross Community Council in conjunction with the local Co-op on Tollcross Road. 

Gary Wilson, Neighbourhood Liaison Co-ordinator (North East) said: "We were delighted to support the local community in their efforts to tidy up their local area. The fly-tipping enforcement pilot in the area the previous week had been really successful and it was clear the residents wanted to build on the success of that by holding the litter pick. 

"The litter pickwas extremely successful and even featured in The Glasgow Times which resulted in other community groups getting in touch to request to do something similar in their own areas."

Sandy Johnston NIES Officer (North East)said: " We were happy to assist this community group with the equipment they needed.

"The NIES team deliver a range of initiatives which aim to clean up Glasgow making it a cleaner place for people to work, children to play and for everyone to visit.

"We also have a Neighbourhood Improvement Volunteer Programme which encourages individuals to improve their local environment, making it cleaner and safer for everyone in their community. These volunteers do a great job and we're always keen for more people to get involved in helping to make Glasgow cleaner."

Gary concluded: "This type of event shows partnership working at its best and highlights the sense of civic pride that motivates citizens to look after their local environment.

"Events such as this empower local citizens to make a real difference and we're delighted to be able to offer support and assistance to local communities in their efforts to make their area, and indeed the city as a whole, a much cleaner, greener and safer place to live work and visit.  There's no doubt that 'People make Glasgow Greener.'

More information

·       Find out more about the NIES team visit glasgow.gov.uk

·       Find out more about Neighbourhood Improvement Volunteers (NIVs) - including how to become a volunteer -  at glasgow.gov.uk

15 December - Glasgow's first average speed camera system installed

The Road Safety team at Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability (NRS) have been working with Safety Cameras Scotland to introduce Glasgow's first average speed camera system.

As part of Glasgow's 'Safe Systems' approach to road safety, a new £96k average speed camera system has been installed on Parkhouse Road in Nitshill on the south of the city, to reduce vehicle speeds and improve driver behaviour.

The average speed camera consists of three linked Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras which will monitor the average speed of traffic over a designated section of the road.

George Cairns, NRS Road Safety Development Officer said: "Safety cameras are deployed predominantly where they will have the greatest casualty and collision reduction potential.

"The site for the new cameras was identified during our annual safety camera site selection process. It was found that between 2014 and 2018 there had been five speed related injury collisions, including one which resulted in serious injury. Speed surveys conducted also found that 74% of traffic on the road was travelling in excess of the 30mph speed limit.

"The safe system approach to protecting our most vulnerable road users includes, safe speeds, safe road use and safe roads and roadsides." 

Area Safety Camera Manager for the West, Alan Bowater,Safety Cameras Scotlandsaid: "The aim of the average speed camera system is to encourage improved driver behaviour and speed limit compliance. It's envisaged this will help to reduce the number of collisions on this stretch of road.

"Currently less than 30% of vehicles are travelling within the speed limit at this site which is unacceptable. We operate a number of average speed cameras in 30mph urban areas and they are proven way to make roads safer for local communities."

Councillor Anna Richardson said: "The introduction of Glasgow's first average speed camera system underlines our commitment to creating a road system where there are no serious or fatal incidents."

CAPTION

Picture (left to right) George Cairns Road Safety Development Officer, Kelly-Marie Elliot, and Alan Bowater, Safety Cameras Scotland and Councillor Anna Richardson.

15 December - Young People Learn About a Career in our HSCP's Homecare Services

Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership's (HSCP) Social Work Learning and Development staff support young people interested in a career in care by providing care induction training. This is part of an employability programme run with Action for Children and the Social Work Housing and Employment Service Continuing Care and Aftercare Service.

At the end of November Jacqui Johnstone from our HSCP's Learning and Development Team delivered an introduction to care session to the young people from Action for Children. The session covered topics such as what's involved in a career in care, the role of a home carer and the attributes needed to work in the homecare sector

Jane McGuire, Senior Training Advisor, from the HSCP's Learning and Development team said: "These sessions and the training programme that our HSCP staff have run successfully for a number of years (pre COVID-19) give the young people the opportunity to gain qualifications and training for homecare. As part of the programme, young people also have the opportunity to shadow a home carer so that they can experience what the role entails in reality."

Jennifer Stuart, Programme Team Lead for Action for Children said: "The group that was in attendance spoke extremely highly of the session, and it helped them all confirm that care is where they want to develop a career." 

15 December - Festive waste -  what to do with it

The Operations team at Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability (NRS) have distributed around 37,000  leaflets to city residents to keep everyone up-to-date about refuse collection over the festive period  - and offering advice about festive waste.

The NRS refuse collection squads will be out collecting refuse over the festive period uplifting all excess waste including  Christmas paper, cardboard and bottles generated over the festive period.

Due to the Christmas and New Year holidays some bin collection dates will change. Please check information on the council's website -  here

At this time of the year, we're all likely to have more waste than usual. Everyone is being encouraged to dispose of waste in the most efficient way possible and to recycle wherever possible - helping to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill sites.

Festive waste collections

If you live within the Glasgow boundary, you can find more information about what to do with your festive waste on our website with information about:

·       Bulk waste / excess waste - find your nearest recycling centre

·       Flatted properties - advice about collections

·       Where can I recycle real Christmas trees -  where to take your real tree - from  3 January until 31 January - if you don't have a brown bin

·       Can I place Christmas cards and wrapping paper in my blue bin - what can and can't go into your blue bin

·       Christmas food recycling - how to use your grey kitchen caddy; what happens to your food waste; advice from Love Food, Hate Waste (Scotland)

·       Glass recycling - please use your purple bin or nearest public collection point  for glass bottles and jars.    

Recycling your waste materials helps to divert waste from landfill and helps us all have a greener Christmas.

Have a happy - and green - Christmas.

More information

·       Find out more detail about festive waste collections at glasgow.gov.uk  https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=21932

·       You can view the leaflet about festive refuse collections  on the council's website - click here

·       Find out more about bins and recycling at www.glasgow.gov.uk/recycling

15 December - MCR 'be inspired to make a difference in 2022' -  January dates

Could 2022 be the year for you to become an MCR mentor and support a young person at one of our city's schools?

Mentors are particularly needed in the north and east of the city, as well as in Castlemilk, Pollok, Summerston, Maryhill and Drumchapel.

Join MCR Pathways for an information session and take the first step on your journey to becoming a mentor in a Glasgow school.

Why not register for the first online information sessions of 2022:

Tuesday 11 January from 12.30pm to 1pm, or

Monday 17 January from 9:30am to 10:00am

MCR's Donna Cunningham will guide you through a short Teams presentation where you can find out more about the MCR's award-winning Young Glasgow Talent programme and the difference it makes to our city's young people.

It only takes half an hour to find out more about MCR and how you can make a difference by supporting a vulnerable young person to achieve their full potential - no experience or specialist skills are required, and the session doesn't commit you to anything.

Register your interest now / find out more

To register your interest, please email your contact details and preferred session, to Donna Cunningham (on Outlook)   A Teams invite will then follow. 

If you can't make these events, you can undertake an individual information session at any time by registering at https://mcrpathways.org/register/

If you would prefer the opportunity to speak to the team directly, please phone  0141 221 0200. 

14 December 2021 - First Minister Announcement on new measures to slow the spread of Covid-19

The First Minister updated the Scottish Parliament on 14 December about the latest measures to slow the spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus while the vaccine booster programme is stepped up.

The measures included:

• New guidance will be issued this week making it a legal requirement for businesses to make reasonable efforts to reduce transmission risk. This will include physical distancing, measures to control the flow of customers and use of protective screens. In hospitality there will be a requirement for measures to avoid crowding and to collect contact details of customers for contact tracing.
• Employers must, by law,  enable staff who were working from home at the start of the pandemic to do so again. Those unable to work from home are asked to test regularly before going in to work.
• The Scottish Government will be reinforcing the public health messages and rules on the importance of wearing face coverings and wearing them properly.
• In the run up to and immediately after Christmas, the First Minster is asking everyone to minimise socialising and reduce the number of households they have contact with at any time to a maximum of three. Specific Christmas guidance will be issued in the coming days.

The First Minister also confirmed further advice will be issued later this week with guidance for key sectors - such as hospitality settings.

You can read the First Minister's statement at   https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-update-first-ministers-statement-14-december-2021/

8 December - Latest Covid advice - working from home and testing and isolation

By now you will no doubt have read about the First Minister's latest covid update including advice for employers to make sure that staff who can work from home should do so - where possible.

This latest advice means that you should only attend the workplace if there is a service requirement to do so, including to support the operational requirements of your team, or to support your health and well-being.

Your manager will let you know if you are required to change your working arrangements.  

The government advice will be reviewed again in mid-January and we will keep you updated on any changes that affect you including resuming hybrid working arrangements.

There are no other changes to the rules from yesterday's update, this will be reviewed daily considering the new covid variant.

In the meantime, we will continue to review the efficiency and effectiveness of our hybrid working pilot over the last few months. We are currently consulting with operational managers to gather data together and in the new year staff will also be asked for their views and opinions.  

There are no changes to contractual arrangements at this time.

Testing and isolation

Test and Protect is deploying enhanced contract tracing for all potential Omicron cases - for these cases, household contacts of close contacts, rather than just the close contacts themselves, are being asked to test and isolate. If you are asked to do this, please do so and contact your line manager as soon as possible. You will continue to be paid and self-isolation will not be recorded as sickness.

If you have symptoms of COVID, please get a PCR test and self-isolate until you get the result. If your result is negative, you can end isolation at that point if you are double vaccinated. If positive, you must isolate for the full 10 days.

Keep up to date

We all need to do what's necessary to get through this winter, particularly considering the new covid variant, keep following the latest Scottish Government advice guidance at https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/

8 December - Council Family Review of Glasgow Life - update 

As you may recall, the council started a strategic review of Glasgow Life as part of the council family review to look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the organisation as part of its ongoing commitment to make sure that council family remains fit for purpose and continues to deliver best value for the city.

We initially expected to be able to share the outcomes of the review early next year, however the work on the review was delayed for various operational reasons including supporting COP26; we now expect to share the initial findings in early summer 2022.

A project coordination group including senior officers from Glasgow Life and the council are now meeting on a regular basis to gather and assess the necessary information for the review. A steering group is overseeing the review led by Annemarie O'Donnell Chief Executive for the council.

We will continue to keep all staff updated about the review when information becomes available. 

Our trade unions will be kept up to date with the review at the relevant regular meetings and forums.

The council family review will help to inform the future structure and strategic direction of Glasgow Life in support of the council's strategic plan and action plans.

8 December - Glasgow Times Community Champions Awards - success for HSCP teams

Congratulations to two Glasgow City HSCP teams for their success in the Glasgow Times Community Champions Awards - held in the City Chambers on Wednesday 1 December.

The Health Improvement Quit Your Way (QYW) team won the 'Citywide Uniformed Services Award' while the Homelessness Services team at the Chara Centre, narrowly missed out on the 'North West Area Public Service Award.'

Karen McNiven, Health Improvement Manager HSCP South said: "It's wonderful that all the hard work and efforts of the Health Improvement - Quit Your Way Teams across the city have been recognised in the Community Champions Award.

"The teams have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to support local people to quit smoking and improve their health. Importantly, the staff have been very flexible and changed how they delivered the services to make sure that they met the needs of local communities and patients during this difficult time. Well done to all the staff involved, a great achievement."

Geraldine Lynch, Residential Services Manager, HSCP Homelessness Services said: "The service provides appropriate accommodation and support options to meet the needs of some of the most vulnerable women in our city with complex needs.

"Through collaborative working with those who use our service, colleagues in health and social work and housing providers we're able to proudly combine a high quality service with a high standard of accommodation. We're honoured to have been nominated locally for this Glasgow Times Award."

Photograph: Ahmad Raza Sheikh from the North West and Ann Soutar from the South QYW Teams represented the City Teams at the event held at the City Chambers, where they also collected the trophy for their award. 

More information

You can read the full story on the Glasgow City HSCP website  https://glasgowcity.hscp.scot/news/our-hscp-services-are-community-champions

8 December - MCR 'be inspired to make a difference in 2022' -  new January date added

Could 2022 be the year for you to become an MCR mentor and support a young person at one of the city's schools?

Mentors are particularly needed in the north and east of the city, as well as in Castlemilk and Pollok in the south.

Join MCR Pathways for a virtual Information session and take the first step on your journey to becoming a mentor in a Glasgow school.

There's still time to sign up for the MCR Pathways 30-minute virtual information session on Tuesday 14 December from 1pm to 1.30pm.

If that's not convenient - why not register for the first online information session of 2022 - on Tuesday 11 January from 12.30pm to 1pm.

MCR's Donna Cunningham will guide you through a short Teams presentation where you can find out more about the MCR's award-winning Young Glasgow Talent programme and the difference it makes to our city's young people.

Please join us for half an hour to find out more about MCR and how you can make a difference by supporting a vulnerable young person to achieve their full potential - no experience required, and the session doesn't commit you to anything.

Register your interest now

To register your interest, please email your contact details and preferred session, to Donna Cunningham (on Outlook).

A Teams invite will then follow. 

If you can't make either of these events, you can undertake an individual information session at any time by registering at https://mcrpathways.org/register/

Why not make 2022 the year you can make a real difference and make sure no young person feels alone.

Face-to-face information session in January 2022 - register your interest. 

The MCR team are working to provide some face-to-face information sessions early in the new year.

The first session will be held in the City Chambers (east building). It is hoped that the first session will take place on:

·       Monday 17 January, 9.30am to 10:15am

·       Room B20, City Chambers (east building - basement), 40 John St, G1 1JL. 

If you would prefer the opportunity  to speak to the team directly, please register your interest now.  Details will be confirmed nearer the time - taking account of any Covid-19 restrictions.

Please note due to Covid social distancing you cannot turn up at this event.  You require to book in.

How to register your interest

To register your interest in a face-to-face session, please email your details to Donna Cunningham (on Outlook) 

8 December - Glasgow Life Venue Closures over Christmas and New Year

Glasgow Life have this week been informing their customers about their venue opening hours during the festive period.

For the most part, Glasgow Life's venues which have reopened during the pandemic will close from Friday 24 December and reopen week commencing Monday 3 January. However, there are some exceptions to this and some venues will close earlier than 24 December.

Additionally, some sport, libraries, and museum facilities will remain open on certain dates between Christmas and New Year.

Please see the  attached table [121kb] or visit https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/glasgow-life-festive-opening-hours for more information on which venues are open and when.

As is the case every year, Glasgow Life's Albion Street headquarters will close over the festive period, from Friday 24 December 2021 until Wednesday 5 January 2022.

8 December - Glasgow wins bid to host 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships

World Athletics has announced Glasgow will host the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships following a successful bidding process.

Emirates Arena will stage the world's biggest indoor athletics championships five years on from hosting the hugely successful European Athletics Indoor Championships in 2019.

Glasgow Life bid for the 2024 event with partners EventScotland, UK Athletics, and UK Sport, and received the outcome of the World Athletics Council's vote on Wednesday 1 December, 2021.

Billy Garrett, Glasgow Life's Director of Sport and Events said: "This announcement recognises Glasgow's global reputation as a first-choice host for major sporting events and as a city with a track record of delivering world-class event experiences.

"Glasgow is committed to using major international events to encourage participation in sport and physical activity, and to ensuring the positive impact of events benefits local communities. Together with our partners, we're looking forward to continuing that important work and to delivering an outstanding Championships which helps to inspire Scotland's next generation of talented athletes.

"It's a privilege to be bringing the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships to the Emirates Arena, which is widely recognised as one of the best athletics venues in the world."

8 December - This Festive Season, Don't Drink and Drive

The Road Safety Unit at Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability (NRS), in partnership with Police Scotland, are running the annual, local Drink Drive campaign to highlight to drivers if they are drinking, they should not drive.

The aim of the campaign is to reduce the incidence of drink driving on Glasgow's roads.

The main message is simple - This Festive Season, Don't Drink and Drive.

• If you are going to your office Christmas party or meeting up with friends and family, plan ahead and organise public transport or a lift with friends. Leave the car at home.
• Alcohol can stay in your body for hours after you stop drinking making you still over the limit the following morning. Don't take that chance, there are consequences for all and it could change your life forever.

The Drink Drive advert will be shown city-wide around Glasgow with bus backs, outdoor digital advertising boards and adverts / social media on Radio Clyde, the Glasgow Times and through the council's social media channels.

The campaign started on 6 December and will run until 9 January 2022.

Enjoy the Christmas holidays and if you need to use your car, have a soft drink!

8 December - Christmas isn't so magical with food poisoning

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) are promoting a festive campaign offering tips and advice to help people reduce their risk of food poisoning this Christmas. The campaign is being promoted across Scotland through a radio advert on Capital, Classic FM and Heart.

Christmas can be a magical time of year, but not if you end up with food poisoning! There's always a lot going on at this time of year and it's easy to forget the importance of storing and preparing food safely. But none of us want to give - or get - the unwanted gift of food poisoning.

We tend to buy more than usual at Christmas which often means cramming our fridge full of festive food. But did you know that when your fridge is full, its temperature can rise and food poisoning bacteria can grow if the fridge isn't cold enough? Your fridge should be between 0-5 degrees Celsius (a good stocking filler idea could be a fridge thermometer to keep you right).

The FSS havemade a checklist to help remind you of some easy food safety practices for this time of year.  These include:

• Checking that the turkey is cooked through until the juices run clear, so there's no pink meat and it's 75°C in the thickest part.

• Store leftovers in the fridge and eat them within two days, or freeze them for later

• Checking and following all 'use by' dates - even if it smells fine.

More information

Learn more about the importance of storing and preparing food safely during the Christmas period - and find some simple food safety practices. Visit the Food Standards Scotland website at foodstandards.gov.scot

https://www.foodstandards.gov.scot/consumers/food-safety/at-home/christmas-food-safety-checklist

You can follow FSS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

1 December - Our hybrid working arrangements

As you will be aware the First Minister gave a media statement on Monday, which included a call for employers to ask staff to work from home - to help us all get safely through the winter period and reduce any risks posed by the new Omicron variant.

Our current hybrid working pilot aligns with the ongoing government advice of continuing to work from home where this is possible. It prioritises service requirements and staff wellbeing needs - as a blended approach of office and home working.

As part of our hybrid working arrangements managers will continue to regularly review local business needs when determining staff attendance in the office and support staff as required.  

As winter and the colder weather forces us indoors more we are asking all staff to continue to follow ongoing government advice to help stop the spread of the virus - both at home and at work.

Please continue to:

• wear face coverings on public transport, in shops and when moving around the office or a hospitality setting
• keep windows open if you have people in your home to help improve ventilation
• follow good hygiene and wash your hands regularly or use hand sanitiser
• clean surfaces before and after use in the office with the cleaning equipment provided
• take the vaccination when offered
• test yourself regularly, even if you do not have symptoms, using a lateral flow device (LFD) twice a week - these can be ordered online from NHS Inform here.
• take an LFD before you socialise or travel in Scotland and report your results.

For more information

• Phased return and hybrid working FAQs - Glasgow City Council
• Phased return and hybrid working - managers' support - Glasgow City Council

1 December - #Safe Glasgow - Lottery Fraud: be careful, are they really who they say they are?

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau have reported a dramatic increase in members of the public falling victim to Lottery Fraud and are asking everyone to be extra vigilant to this type of scam over the coming months. 

What is Lottery Fraud

Reports have shown that in the last six months alone - more than £900k has been lost by victims to Advance Fee Lottery Frauds.

Lottery Fraud occurs when criminals use fake messages and calls to convince a person that they have won a lottery or a prize draw. The victim is then informed that they will need to pay an advance 'fee' in order to receive the winnings.

Victims are commonly asked to pay these advance fees by purchasing gift cards and relaying codes to the fraudster. In some instances, victims have reported being asked for personal and financial information in order to obtain their 'winnings'. Some victims reported providing their bank details thinking they would be sent a small payment to verify the account. In reality, criminals use these details to steal the victim's money.

What you should do to protect yourself

STOP

• Always remember that unsolicited offers of a large sum of money, in return for a small upfront payment, is not normal - this should always raise a red flag with you!

THINK

• Stop and take a moment to think about who is contacting you - are they actually genuine and legitimate, probably not!
• If you act quickly and part with money you are putting yourself at risk of both financial and identity fraud.

CHALLENGE

• If you think the call/email is fake - challenge it.
• After all, you cannot win a prize in a competition that you didn't actually enter!
• Remember that it's ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests.
• Reject any unsolicited callers asking you to pay a fee/fine using a gift card or voucher - legitimate businesses will not do this.
• Only a criminal will try to rush and panic you into taking action.

PROTECT and REPORT

• Contact your bank immediately if you think you've fallen for a scam.
• Also report it to Action Fraud

AT WORK

• If you have received a suspicious email and clicked on the link or opened an attachment please contact the CGI Service desk immediately on extension 74000.
• If you are in any doubt and think that an email or phone call you have received is of a suspicious nature - please inform Internal Audit immediately at: integrity@glasgow.gov.uk
• For more top tips on how to prevent a cybercrime visit Connect here

SUPPORT

• If you need to speak to someone about gambling issues you may be experiencing contact the dedicated team at Citizens Advice here.

• Further consumer protection advice around lotteries and competitions is offered by the Gambling Commission - https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/

1 December - GOLD Course on Adult Support and Protection (ASP) Awareness

Staff are invited to take the new ASP awareness course now available on GOLD.

This eLearning course will provide an introduction to the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 and raise awareness of how the council family supports and protects adults at risk of harm.

Cath Bagley, Service Manager Adult Protection, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (GCHSCP) said: "It's important to highlight that ASP is everyone's business and involves support as well as protection.

"The course helps to promote awareness and provides clear guidance on the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland ) Act 2007.  This involves details of the three point test and key ASP stages, including inquiries and investigation.  

"The aim of the course is to promote good practice in how we support and protect adults who are unable to safeguard their own interests and who are at risk of harm because they are affected by disability, mental disorder, illness or physical or mental infirmity."

How to access the course

You can access the course on GOLD on Connect.

1 December - Supporting young people into employment - through Kickstart

We are supporting the UK-wide Kickstart programme which aims to provide employment opportunities for 16 to 24 year olds. Fifteen placements are currently being advertised.

Do you know someone who is aged 16-24, claiming universal credit and living within the Glasgow City Council boundary? Tell them about our Kickstart vacancies.

In response to the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on young people's employment, the UK Government has created the Kickstart programme funded through the Young Persons Guarantee.

Kickstart offers 16 to 24 year-olds, who are claiming universal credit,  a paid six month work experience placement. Throughout the six months they will receive career mentoring, industry-specific training and work experience in their chosen field, which will help them to progress further into a career and gain further skills.

Karen Strachan, Senior HR Officer, Corporate HR said: "We're proud to be working with Jobs and Business Glasgow, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and DWP to offer numerous placements across our council services.

"To date we've been able to provide eight young people with opportunities working within Facilities Management in Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability (NRS). Our first Kick start placements have settled in really well to the organisation and are enjoying the learning and new experiences of their work placements. "

Fifteen new vacancies are now available working across Education, Facilities Management and NRS. Positions include:

• Community Resource Assistants
• Cleaners
• Catering Assistants
• Cook Freeze Assistants
• Support for Learning Workers
• Admin Assistants

Find out more / how to apply

Apply direct through MyJobScotland at

https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/search?keywords=kickstart&distance=10

Find out more about the programme at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/kickstart-scheme

Young people can also find out more through speaking to their DWP Job Coach.

1 December - Be inspired to make a difference in 2022; Tuesday 14 December, 1pm to 1.30pm - on Teams

Join MCR Pathways for a virtual Information session and take the first step on your journey to becoming a mentor in a Glasgow school.

MCR's Donna Cunningham will guide you through a short Teams presentation where you can find out more about the MCR's award-winning Young Glasgow Talent programme and the difference it makes to our city's young people.

Please join us for half an hour to find out more about MCR and how you can make a difference by supporting a vulnerable young person to achieve their full potential - no experience required.

Register your interest now

To register your interest, please email Donna Cunningham (on Outlook) 

A Teams invite will then follow. 

If you can't make this event, you can undertake an individual information session at any time by registering at https://mcrpathways.org/register/

Why not make 2022 the year you can make a real difference and make sure no young person feels alone.

1 December - More buildings to be lit up as part of city's festive celebrations

The lights have been switched on, the tree is up in George Square, the market is open in St Enoch Square... and it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Glasgow.

To spread the festive cheer across the city centre, the spectacular lighting of the City Chambers, led by Glasgow Life Events, returns this week with more buildings being lit for the first time.

Buchanan Galleries and Glasgow Royal Concert Hall at the top of Buchanan Street, and The Buck's Head building on Argyll Street will also be spectacularly lit from Wednesday 1 December to Sunday 2 January 2022. Each venue will be transformed by a series of eight different colour scenes and up to four kilometres of fairy lights are being installed.

At the same time, the 'Love Glasgow This Christmas' marketing campaign is encouraging people to visit the city centre for their Christmas shopping or to enjoy some festive entertainment with family and friends.

More information

For more information on what's on in Glasgow during the festive period, visit www.glasgowloveschristmas.com.

1 December - Over 30,000 tickets sold for Celtic Connections - have you got yours yet?

Celtic Connections is taking place from Thursday 20 January to Sunday 6 February, with more than 2,000 musicians from around the world set to bring Glasgow to life over 18 days.

To the delight of festival fans everywhere, next year's event will return in person and will feature a packed programme of concerts, ceilidhs, exhibitions, talks, workshops, and free events across a variety of much-loved city venues.

More than 30,000 tickets have already been sold, with Transatlantic Sessions and Sierra Ferrell & Arlo among the most popular shows which are likely to sell out soon. So, if there's a performance that you really want to see, head to celticconnections.com to make sure you don't miss out.

Celtic Connections has been shortlisted for 'Event of the Year' at The MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. The ceremony will be shown on BBC ALBA on Saturday 4 December. Good luck to the Glasgow Life team involved - fingers crossed!

More information

Full details about the programme at celticconnections.com

1 December - Artist in Residence programme enters phase three

The third phase of Glasgow's successful Artist in Residence programme, delivered by Glasgow Life on behalf of the council, has launched and will run until March 2022.

Phase two, which completed in August, engaged with more than 24,000 people online and in person, with over 100 artists involved in the delivery of community art projects across the city's 23 council wards.

Phase three sees the vast majority of artists (pictured) returning, to ensure continuity and an opportunity to build on connections and relationships made during the pandemic. This phase will also see the artists responding to COP26 as part of Create4Glasgow, an open call inviting young people to design an artwork which raises awareness of and encourages Glasgow's citizens to fight climate change.

More information

You can find out more about the Artist in Residence programme and the artists working in each area of the city, at glasgowlife.org.uk