July 2022

July 2022 - Free help to get on yer bike: safety check sessions for staff start this week: 13 and 21 July

Whether you are a regular bike commuter, have just started cycling or are thinking about it - you can get your bike checked over for free to make sure it is fit for the road.

There will be two Dr Bike Sessions:

• July 13 between 11:30am  to 2.30pm
• July 21 between 11:30am  to 2.30pm

Each of these will take place in the Exchange House parking area next to the large Bike Shed

Dr Bike will deal with minor repairs and set up issues and identify any major problems free of charge! We will also be offering Free Bike Register security tagging

If you would like a Dr Bike service at your place of work, email sustainabletransport@glasgow.gov.uk with the location and preferred days and times.

Make a difference and a lifestyle change today!

Using your bike regularly is a great way to look after yourself and the environment at the same time. Visit our Sustainable staff news pages for top tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint.  There are lots of topics and top tips to help you get started and live a more sustainable lifestyle.

13 July 2022: Send in your story - your charity could win a prize

Payroll Giving is a powerful way to support your chosen charity enabling them to provide vital services to those in need. Your tax-free donations make a difference. View our Payroll Giving calculator by clicking here

During July and August, we are asking you to Share the Power of Payroll Giving by sending us your stories, telling us why you support your charity and how Payroll Giving has enabled you to give more for less.

Each month we will be awarding a charity a gift of £50 to the best submission.  The opportunity is open to those whojoin the Payroll Giving scheme during July or August or who make a new regular additional donation. Send your videos or stories with photos to benefits@stcpayrollgiving.co.uk .

It's a win for you and your charity.  Sign up to support your charity today by clicking on the link below and completing the simple form.

13 July 2022: Summer Self-care

In our fast-paced lifestyle it can be hard to slow down and take care of ourselves.  This summer, we are encouraging you to try practicing self-care.

Self-care can take many forms but essentially, it is taking time out to care for our mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.  Summer is a great time to begin your self-care routine with the longer, sunnier days giving you the opportunity to get involved.

• Make a list of things you enjoy - such as arts and crafts, dancing, walking, reading, and try do a little of these activities daily
• Spend time outdoors - this summer is the perfect time to take rest and enjoy the outdoors.  Enjoy the surroundings outside, now is the time to sightsee places you've always wanted to see in Scotland or organise a day out with family and friends to enjoy a BBQ in the sun. Being surrounded by nature is a great way to practice self-care
• Exercise Daily - with the dryer weather, go outside and enjoy the walks Glasgow and surrounding areas offer, enjoy the cycling routes, do a workout outside in the sun.  Exercising releases endorphins and can increases your mood
• Take time to breathe - slow down and relax.  Enjoy some yoga or meditation.  The morning is a great time for reflection and affirmation.
• Eat Well - eating well can be easier in summer as we enjoy the nice weather and crave our fruits and vegetables.  Try incorporating some nutritious and delicious food into your diet to help optimise your physical and mental wellbeing

However you do it, remember to take time out to enjoy and practice self-care this summer.

More Information

• Find activities for your summer self care.  
• Find beautiful walkways in Glasgow and surrounding areas. 
• Find free NHS yoga videos 

Staff Support

• Visit Silver Cloud, a set of online interactive programmes provided by NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government to help you cope with different challenges to your mental wellbeing.  
• Enjoy discounted fruit and vegetables.  Visit our Wellbeing Support Page to find out more.
• You can access free, confidential, independent advice and counselling support 24/7 from our Employee Assistance Provider - phone Workplace Optionson: 0800 247 1100. Please note: to access Workplace Options online, please follow the process found on Connect here 
• Visit our online Health and Wellbeing Handbook for a wealth of related health and wellbeing information, resources, and recommended pathways to support.

13 July 2022: Join us of our next BME Employee Network Event

Our next BME Employee Network Event will take place on 27 July 2022 from 3 - 4.30 pm.

The event will include an update from Network Sponsor Harjinder Gharyal, Divisional Director, NRS on progress made with network proposals, provide an update on the recent BME Employee Survey and a discussion around how we promote and celebrate our diverse cultural heritage and festivals in the post pandemic workplace. 

Don't miss out

Book your place today here.

13 July 2022: Riverside Museum Shortlisted for National Family Friendly Museum Award

Riverside Museum in Glasgow has been shortlisted for the Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Award.

Charity Kids in Museums has run a prestigious annual award for 16 years, recognising the most family friendly heritage sites in the UK. It is the only museum award to be judged by families.

From late March to early June, families across Scotland and the whole of the UK voted for their favourite heritage attraction on the Kids in Museums website. A panel of museum experts then whittled down hundreds of nominations to a shortlist of 16 venues.

Riverside is vying against just one other attraction, the National Maritime Museum, London in the Best Large Museum category.

Over the summer holidays, the museum will be visited by undercover family judges who will assess the shortlisted museums against the Kids in Museums Manifesto. Their experiences will decide a winner for each award category and an overall winner of the Family Friendly Museum Award 2022. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in October.

Riverside is free to enter as is the Tall Ship Glenlee situated beside the museum.  Highlights include a 1900 recreated Glasgow street with shops, pub and subway station and a huge transport collection from cars and trains to skateboards and wheelchairs.  Spend time marvelling at the vehicles and ships and  discovering the stories of the people behind them.

13 July 2022: Have you had your say yet?

You still have time to take part in the council family survey on your understanding of Gaelic.

The deadline for completion has been extended to coincide with the Public Consultation on our Gaelic Language Plan 2023 to 2028 - which closes next Friday on 22 July.

Taking the survey and sharing your views, whether you speak Gaelic or not, is valuable to our research and will help us to develop staff Gaelic learning and training opportunities.

We need your feedback

• Our survey aims to find out how many of you can speak, read, write or understand Gaelic - and also to identify if you would like to learn it by enrolling in a Gaelic class.
• We encourage all staff to take part even if you don't know or use the language in your work or daily lives - your views are important.

Take the survey at https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/0C27IS/

Our Gaelic Language Plan sets out our objectives to increase the use of Gaelic in our services, encourage more people to use Gaelic in their dealings with us, increase opportunities for staff and city residents to learn Gaelic, and to promote a positive image of Gaelic in all of our work.

The use of Gaelic in the city is continuing to grow. Glasgow has a strong reputation for delivering high quality Gaelic medium education (GME) and Glasgow Life offers a variety of learning courses, conversation groups and opportunities to use Gaelic in the arts, libraries, museums and sport.

For more information on our current Gaelic Plan click here

13 July 2022: World Pipe Band Championships returns to Glasgow Green

Next month, the World Pipe Band Championships returns to Glasgow Green - where thousands of pipers and drummers will compete for the ultimate prize in pipe band competition; to be recognised as the best in the world.

The event is being held on Friday 12 August and Saturday 13 August for the first time since the summer of 2019, because of the global pandemic.

The World Pipe Band Championships are the pinnacle of competitive Pipe Band competition and are organised on behalf of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association by Glasgow Life. Inveraray and District Pipe Band were the World Champions in 2019. 

'The Worlds', as they are often called, take place in Glasgow at the same time as Piping Live! which this year runs between Friday 6 August and Sunday 14 August 2022.

Both events are supported by Glasgow Life, Glasgow City Council and EventScotland, part of VisitScotland's Events Directorate.

Tickets

On sale now here

Glasgow first hosted the World Pipe Band Championships in 1948 and has been the host city for the event every year since 1986.