July 2021
View key Health and Wellbeing and Equality and Diversity dates for this month on our 
Inclusion Calendar July 2021 [202kb]
World Hepatitis Day - Wednesday 28 July
Every year, World Hepatitis Day launches a campaign to raise awareness to Hepatitis disease which is an inflammation of the liver that causes severe liver disease and hepatocellular cancer. The theme of this year's campaign is 'Hepatitis Can't Wait'!
People with Hepatitis are dying every 30 seconds. The campaign aims to raise awareness - whether that's to inform people about Hepatitis screening and treatment, or to reduce the stigma.
There are three main forms of Hepatitis disease, all with treatments available:
More information
There are plenty of ways you can get involved in World Hepatitis Day to make sure that the world knows that Hepatitis Can't Wait. Find out more here.
Calling all BME staff
The council's BME Peer Support Network is seeking new members for the network steering group.
Could you get involved and help influence council initiatives and policies?
The Steering Group currently consists of three BME employees, officers from Corporate HR and Harjinder Gharyal, the Leadership Sponsor. Harjinder said: "We're looking for new members who can share their knowledge and expertise and support the development of the network."
The current commitment is one meeting of no more than an hour each week. This is expected to move to a fortnightly and then monthly schedule as required.
The steering group will meet - through NS Teams - from 2.30 to 4.30 pm on Wednesdays: 11 August 21, 27 October 21, 26 January 22 and 27 April 22.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the steering group, please email the BME Network Coordinator (Nazim Hamid) at: BMENetwork@glasgow.gov.uk
BME staff - equality information
If you have not already done so, please update your employee information on My Portal. The information will include your contact details, your next of kin information and equally, and your BME details.
Thom Hughes, Senior Corporate HR Officer said: "Providing details helps us to identify how many BME staff we have and how the council is doing in terms of recruitment, retention and progression for the BME council community. Only the overall statistical data is used for the analysis and not individual's personal information."
If you are unsure of how to update your information there is a guide on Connect at:
Alternatively, you can ask your service HR team to assist.
BME Network - stay informed
The BME network aims to engage and inform all BME staff - but as not everyone has completed their equality information through My Portal.
Nazim Hamid, Network Coordinator said: "The information we currently have is there are 855 BME employees within the council and 98 members of the BME Network.
"We'd like to be able to inform and engage more staff to allow them to have their say about our policies and initiatives. It's important that staff update their records to allow us to keep them informed."
Update your contact details
If you know of other BME staff, please check that they know about the BME network.
If you, or a colleague, would like to be added to the BME Network mailing list then please email your contact details to BMENetwork@glasgow.gov.uk
More information
- Find out more about Workforce Diversity here
- Find out more about the council's Equality Outcomes here
- Find out more about the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities (Sewell Commission) here
Summer Sun and Fun - useful webinar
Are you looking to get the most out of your break this summer?
The summer months are a perfect time to regain that balance and prioritise what's important to you while making a conscious effort to do more of the things that lift your spirits and bring joy to your life.
The Workplace Options seminar for July will focus on how you can have some Summer Sun and Fun - even if you are staying nearer to home this summer due to Covid travel restrictions.
The seminar will provide information on summer camps, holiday rentals and other fun summer activities.
Join the webinar - at a time convenient to you
To get started phone (number below) 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
Raising awareness of Loneliness
The Campaign to End Loneliness believe that people of all ages need connections that matter.
There are nine million lonely people in the UK who lack the friendship and support we all need. The aim of the campaign is for everyone to have a life free from chronic loneliness.
Loneliness is a powerful emotion that makes people feel anxious, fearful, shame and helplessness. There are different types of loneliness - social, emotional, situational and existential. Find our more here
Loneliness can also influence how we behave, such as making individuals wary of social situations or perceiving interactions more negatively than they were.
Being socially connected and resilient, both as individuals and communities, is a powerful tool that influences better mental health and wider wellbeing.
It is important that we don't just accept loneliness as part of who we are and avoid social interactions.
Support to help you reconnect and tackle feelings of loneliness
Finding ways to connect with others; visit campaigntoendloneliness.org
Find out more about psychological approaches here
Access resources on how to have a healthy mind at nhsggc.org.uk
Workplace Options, our Employee Assistance Provider, is available 24/7 for free, confidential, independent advice and support for you and your family on any work, family or personal issue. Freephone EAP Helpline: 0800 247 1100 / Minicom: 020 8987 6574
View our Get involved page to find out what events and activities are happening in the council and how you can get involved.
See the Equality and Diversity events and activities page for the latest equality news, activities and social events.
Employee Equality Support Networks - during the pandemic, these groups can be contacted for advice and support by e-mail - Black and Minority Ethnic, Carers, Disabled, Prism LGBTi, Lean in.
More information
Find out more about the Campaign to End Loneliness at campaigntoendloneliness.org where you can listen to podcasts, get help with coping with bereavement and learn about other aspects of loneliness.
A Healthy Heart Matters
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common type of heart and circulatory disease. According to the British Heart Foundation, it is the leading case of death in the UK with around one person dying from CHD every eight minutes.
The highest rates of CHD are in Scotland, with Glasgow having one of the highest levels in the western world. This has been attributed to lifestyle factors including smoking and poor diet.
The good news is that we can reduce our risk of getting coronary heart disease by making simple lifestyle changes, such as exercising more and having a healthy balanced diet.
More information
Find out more about reducing risk of heart disease at chss.org.uk
Find out more about the Eat Well Guide - with information about all you need to know about healthy eating - at foodstandards.gov.scot
British Heart Foundation - tips, advice and quizzes
The British Heart Foundation's award-winning magazine 'Heart Matters' is packed with information, inspiration and support to help you look after your heart. You can access it at bhf.org.uk
Why not try some of their short quizzes about food - such as 'how much do you know about protein?' and 'how much do you know about cake?' Have fun testing yourself whilst learning how to stay healthy and protect your heart.
Check out the magazine quizzes at bhf.org.uk
Looking after yourself as a frontline worker
In June MIND and HSF Health joined forces to host a webinar featuring tips for our frontline workers to help them stay mentally healthy during Covid-19.
The 23-minute long webinar explores the impact of Covid-19, where we are now in regard to the pandemic and how to take care of yourself with the additional stress of the pandemic to your everyday stresses and pressures. There are lots of useful tools and techniques to support frontline staff.
Watch the webinar - at a time convenient to you
If you missed the webinar in June, or would like to see it again, click here.
Learn more about Hay Fever
HSF Health Plan are sharing their monthly 'Health Matters' newsletter where Dr Sara Kayat, a practicing NHS GP and well-known television doctor - advises on topical health matters and provides relevant wellbeing top tips.
This month Dr Sara discusses Hay Fever and the various ways to alleviate the dreaded symptoms. Click here.
Watch Dr Sara's Hay Fever video below.
#GetIntoSummer - keep you and your family busy this summer
Summer is here and after the year we've had, the whole family could use a wee boost. There are lots of activities on across Scotland this summer to help our families make the most of the summer holidays.
You can #GetIntoSummer by looking out for activities for kids and teens across Scotland to enjoy, to help boost their wellbeing and mental health. You can also find support for your family as we begin to socialise, play and reconnect again.
Check out the Parent Club website at parentclub.scot/summer to see what's on and get involved.
You can also find loads of great ideas and tips on the Parent Club website for fun activities to get the whole family into summer!
Some ideas
Tip#7: Shadow chasers: On a sunny day, pop outside with your kids and try chasing each other's shadows. Make someone the 'chaser' and give them a point for each time they catch someone's shadow by jumping on it. Take it in turns and see who can collect the most points. Or this one - we all know the Scottish summer doesn't always come with sun!
Tip #9: Even if the sun isn't shining, you can still brighten up those rainy days by doing a little jumping in puddles. Have a competition to see who can make the biggest splash - just don't forget those wellies and waterproofs!
Let us know how you #GetIntoSummer and tag us in your summer of fun!
You can find a range of tips and ideas on Parentclub.scot/summer.
More information
Visit parentclub.scot or #GetIntoSummer
Glasgow Children's Holiday Food Programme
Children and parents in Glasgow will be spoilt for choice this summer thanks to a fun-packed programme of activities planned to keep young people and their families occupied during the school holiday.
Throughout the school holiday, organisations will be holding a range of activities for young people and their families.
The Glasgow Children's Holiday Food Programme (GCHFP), funded by the council and delivered by organisations, will run in every ward in the city.
An interactive map has been developed making it easier for families to access information and contact details for organisations delivering the holiday programme.
More information
Find out more here.
Get Moving with One Minute Movers
If you feel that you are spending too much time sitting at your desk or screen and need to move more, these one-minute exercises from Paths for All can easily fit into your working day.
- One-minute mover: Bicep curl
- One-minute mover: Arm raise
- One-minute mover: Calf raise
- One-minute mover: Torso twist
- One-minute mover: Squat
- One-minute mover: Sit to stand
- One-minute mover: Wall press
Why not try to build these one-minute mover videos into your working routine - setting a timer or arranging to exercise at the same time as someone else - can help keep you motivated.
Adding a lunchtime stroll or having a walk and a chat with a colleague on the phone are other good ways to build some activity into your working day.
More information
View our Health and Wellbeing Commitment to our employees here
Read more about the importance of movement at mind.org.uk
Talk to Us - Samaritans Awareness Month
Every July, the Samaritans run a campaign called 'Talk to Us.'
The campaign aims to raise awareness that the Samaritans are here to listen (without any judgement or pressure) to anyone struggling to cope, worried about someone else or just needing a listening ear.
You can phone the Samaritans at any time of the day or night free on 116 123.
More information
Find out more about 'Talk to us' month at Samaritans.org or keep an eye out on their social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
