October 2021

Digital Menopause Café - 17 November 2021

Our next Digital Menopause Café will be held on Wednesday 17 November from 12:30 to 1.30pm on Teams.

It will provide an opportunity for staff to come together over a cuppa to discuss the menopause and is a great way to share stories, experiences and questions about your menopause journey in a safe space.

This event is open to all staff regardless of age or gender who wish to discuss menopause.

Register your place

• Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
• Please email leanin@glasgow.gov.uk to register your place. 

More information on Menopause Cafés available at here.

See Me, See Us - we can all make a difference

As a workplace partner of See Me, Scotland's programme to end mental health stigma and discrimination, the council is supporting the new See Us' campaign - launching today (20 October).

The new campaign calls on people to get on board and make change - whether they have experience of mental health problems or not.

See Me are encouraging people across Scotland to make a difference, through prevention and intervention, by boosting their understanding of mental health and encouraging those around them to do the same.

More than half of people in Scotland say their perceptions of people with mental health problems have improved over the past 10 years.

For too long tackling mental health stigma has been seen as the responsibility of those who have experienced it.

It's time to move past Seeing Me, the person struggling, and for everyone to stand up and say See Us - making a difference together.

How you can make a difference

See Me have suggested some key calls to action:

• Sign up to join the movement at http://seemescotland.org/SeeUs and receive updates from the movement into your inbox
• Access the tools and resources you need to take action and make change at http://seemescotland.org/SeeUs
• Find ideas for fun activities to get people talking and learning more about mental health: https://seemescotland.org/media/10407/see-us-activity-pack.pdf
• Join the conversation on social media, using #SeeMeSeeUs - explain why you support the movement, what action you'll take to make change or show support, or share your story
• Share your stories with See Me to feature on their social media channels

Cervical Screening - Don't Ignore Your Smear Invite

A new Cervical Screening campaign launched on 11 October 2021.

With uptake of smear tests declining amongst those eligible, the Scottish Government campaign is urging those invited to attend, even if they expect everything is fine.

The aim of the 'Get Checked Early' campaign is to raise awareness of the benefits of going for a smear test and to urge those eligible for cervical screening (smear test) not to ignore their invite.

Two women die every day in the UK from cervical cancer. Even if you expect everything's fine, go for your cervical screening (smear) test and help stop cervical cancer before it starts.

In Scotland, cervical screening is offered to anyone with a cervix aged between 25 and 64. The five-minute test saves lives as it can help stop cervical cancer before it starts. The test is even more effective now as it screens for HPV which causes 99% of cervical cancers but has no symptoms.

The campaign also aims to help reassure those who put off going for the test, highlighting the things they can try to make the test easier.

If you are invited for a smear test - don't ignore your appointment; smear tests can help stop cervical cancer before it starts.

More information

Find out more about the 'Get Checked Early' campaign at www.getcheckearly.org

You can watch the TV advert on youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li-g7LHJgrU

Find out more at NHS Inform  www.nhsinform.scot/cervicalscreening

Workplace Equality - have your say

The council - as outlined in our Equality Outcomes and in conjunction with PRISM our LGBTQI+ Employee Network - recently submitted a Workplace Equality Index application to Stonewall - the UK LGBTQI+ charity. This allows us to benchmark our LGBTQI+ community support as an employer against other organisations in Scotland and the UK.

As part of the application, Stonewall have generated a staff feedback questionnaire which is open to all council employees.

Thom Hughes, Senior HR Officer Corporate HR said:  "The survey will allow staff to provide feedback on key areas of LGBTQI+ inclusion by capturing their unique views and experiences.

"We'd like to hear from as many staff as possible, whether they are members of the LGBTQI+ community or they are friends and allies."

How to access the survey

The survey will be open until 23:59 hours on 5 November.

You can access the survey here.

Black History Month - October 2021

The council is proud to celebrate Black History Month (BHM) this month.

The BME Network is looking to produce a video that captures what Black History Month means to council staff.

Thom Hughes, Senior HR Officer Corporate HR said: "This project is open to all staff. Black History Month can mean a range of things to different people and we are interested in capturing multiple perspectives and experiences. We'd like to hear from as many staff as possible."

Get involved / how to submit your contribution - by Tuesday 26 October

If you'd like to take part, here's what to do:

• Write or type a brief statement about what BHM means to you
• Take a selfie or record a brief video holding your statement. If you are submitting a video, please try keep to a maximum of one minute
• Email your submission to: BMENetwork@glasgow.gov.uk  by Tuesday 26 October

Please note: All the clips and videos will be incorporated into one presentation or video which will be posted on the council's intranet, public internet and on twitter.

More information

If you have any questions, please email BMENetwork@glasgow.gov.uk

You can find out more about our BME Network on Connect.

Struggling with reopening anxiety?

Whilst the easing of restrictions has allowed us to get back to the people and things we miss, it is completely natural if this has brought new challenges too.

Even positive change can lead to anxiety, and it can take time to re-adjust to the things we enjoy but we've not done for a while.

We might be feeling anxious about going out, travelling, meeting friends or going back to the workplace. Whilst these feelings will pass in time, it's important to do what we can to take care of our mental health and be patient with ourselves and with those around us.

We've gathered some resources to help you:

• Attend our next online Wellbeing Class: Returning to the workplace post Covid delivered in partnership with Life Link on 18 October, 2 to 3.30pm. View our Life Link programme

• Life link have prepared a few shorttips and techniquesthat you can try to help cope with your anxiety including 'Triangle breathing, the '5-4-3-2-1' technique, and 'the happy place' technique: https://www.lifelink.org.uk/news/2021/july/reopening-anxiety/

• Promis National Wellbeing Hub has new resources produced for people working in health and social care but is useful to anyone feeling anxious about restrictions lifting: https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=54663&p=0

• Clear your head website has some advice and guidance on how to manage your wellbeing now that life is getting busier again.

Further wellbeing information, advice and guidance is available on our Connect Pages, or on the Staff Updates Page.

If you need to speak to someone about how you're feeling, speak to your manager.

You can also phone Workplace Options, our Employee Assistance Provider (available 24/7) on: 0800 247 1100.

LGBT helpline: 0800 138 8725 or BME helpline: 0800 288 4950.

Gambling awareness training sessions, October 2021

Around half of adults in Britain take part in some form of gambling without any harm being caused.

But for some people and their families, gambling harms are a serious issue, with wide-reaching consequences.

We are pleased to announce that we are working in partnership with Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS), funded by GambleAware, to bring you tailored training on understanding and supporting staff experiencing any negative effects of gambling. Sessions will be held on Teams.

Training will be available online and will include:

• how to identify if a person is at risk of gambling harm
• how to start the discussion with them in an open and supportive way using a screening tool
• how to spot the signs of the root cause
• what are the next steps to recommend to help them deal with gambling harm.

Our frontline staff can make a big impact by recognising and addressing problem gambling and by being well informed and understanding the support routes available to help a colleague.

Sessions last 90 minutes and are delivered on Teams

• Monday 25 October
  12 to 1.30pm - register here.

• Friday 29 October
  12 to 1.30pm -  register here.

Improving Motivation (Taster Session) 13 October 2021, 10am to 11am, MS Teams

Are you finding it hard to get started or lack the motivation to finish something you want or need to do? In this taster session Mark O'Hare from Lifelink will help us develop a better understanding of motivation, setting achievable goals, managing unhelpful thoughts and feelings, and ways of getting support when we need it. He will take us through some practical strategies for maintaining our motivation in the longer term. Register through Eventbrite.
 

Free SAMH Workplace Mental Health Courses

Council staff are invited to participate in a series of free online learning opportunities, organised by our colleagues at NHS GG&C in partnership with SAMH. The aim of the sessions is to increase knowledge and understanding about mental health.

The following sessions will be delivered on MS Teams and Zoom.

Maintaining Wellbeing; 1.5 hours

At the end of the session, you should be able to:

• Identify your own responsibilities in creating a mentally healthy workplace
• Understand stress, what this looks like for you, and ways to manage
• Understand the impact of poor wellbeing on yourself, your workplace and your society
• Utilise tools and understand signposting to look after your wellbeing

After the session, you will receive a take home workbook which includes individual, reflective exercises for completion in your own time.

Spaces currently available:

• 20 October 2pm Zoom (4 spaces)
• 4 November 2pm Zoom (7 spaces)
• 1 December 10am Teams (3 spaces)
• 7 December 10am Teams (2 spaces)
   

Building Resilience; 1.5 hours

At the end of the session, you should be able to:

• Understand the relationship between wellbeing and resilience
• Understand the definition of resilience, what it means, and the key elements involved in building personal resilience
• Discuss activities which can focus on building personal resilience, as well as partake in a live activity

After the session, you will receive a take home workbook which includes individual, reflective exercises for completion in your own time.

Spaces currently available:

• 14 October 10am Zoom (4 spaces)
• 26 October 2pm Zoom (2 spaces)
• 23 November 10am Zoom (1 space)
• 25 November 2pm Teams (7 spaces)
• 7 December 2pm Teams (7 spaces)
• 13 December 2pm Teams (2 spaces)
   

Introduction to Suicide Prevention** 1.5 hours

At the end of this session you should be able to:

• Have deeper insight into current prevalence and statistics around suicide
• Be able to spot signs which may be associated with suicide, and discuss how to clarify suicide
• Identify the power of listening and the importance of signposting as a key element for support
• Understand the importance of keeping yourself safe
• After this session you will receive a follow up email with guidance notes and signposting resources.

**Please note, this session is an introduction to suicide prevention; it does not go into lengthy detail around carrying out a suicide intervention.

Spaces currently avavailable:

20 December 2pm Teams (5 spaces)

How to book

To book email training@samh.org.uk

Please provide the following:

• Your name
• Your job role / title
• Your organisation and Service
• Your manager's name and email

BME network update - get involved and join the discussion

Annemarie O'Donnell, our Chief Executive, will attend the next BME network meeting to be held at 2.30pm on 27 October 2021 on Teams.  This is your opportunity to get involved and put forward any questions you may have.

Special workshop feedback - get involved and have your say

During April and August we held workshops to discuss key issues on the following topics.  The network is now looking to hold additional special sessions to take forward actions from these workshops. If you would like to get involved and contribute to discussions in these key areas please email BMENetwork@glasgow.gov.uk

Special Workshops:

Join the BME Steering Group

We are also currently looking for additional staff members to join our BME Steering Group - if you would like to get involved and be a voice for your Service area please email BMENetwork@glasgow.gov.uk

Have peace of mind with Payroll Giving and chance to win

World Mental Health Day on October 10th raises awareness and mobilises efforts to support mental health.    Mental Health charities, like Mind, Mental Health UK and Sane, have experienced an unprecedented demand for their services over the past year.

You can help support your chosen charity tax free and attain peace of mind with a regular Payroll Giving donation each payday - the secure way to give.    

StC Payroll Giving will be randomly selecting an individual donor from those who join the scheme in October to receive a year's subscription to the Headspace app.

Visit https://udon8.org/glasgowcitycouncil to join your colleagues and support your charity today.