August 2022

10 August - Do you have any of these? We need your electrical items - to help others!

The council is teaming up with Valpak Ltd to promote the reuse of small electrical items, as part of its environmental compliance partner's 'Power to Do More' campaign.

Donations are being sought from Glasgow residents and all items collected will be tested and given to local charities, Refuweegee and Glasgow Tool Library, for them to reuse.

The reuse event started on 1 August and will last the whole month. Donations can be made at all four of the city's Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC). Collection points will be marked, and site representatives will be on hand to assist residents in segregating their small electrical items.

Items needed!

Items sought by refugee charity, Refuweegee, to help settle and welcome new arrivals to Scotland, include:

• Microwaves
• Kettles
• Toasters
• vacuum, cleaners
• irons
• DVD players
• games consoles
• food processors
• TVs and tablets.

Glasgow Tool Library, where people can join and borrow power tools for DIY and craft projects, is looking for items including:

• drills
• saws
• wallpaper strippers
• garden tools.

The donated items will be inspected and tested by specialist recycling companies CCL (North) and Restructa to make sure they are in working order before being distributed to the charities.

Participating in the 'Power to do More' campaign is helping the city to promote the idea of choosing to reuse; extending the useful life of unused items and helping us to live more sustainably.

Glasgow is aiming to be a circular city by 2045.This involves encouraging sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, repurposing and recycling existing materials and products, keeping them in circulation for as long as possible. Moving away from the 'make, take, dispose' model of consumption that contributes to the climate crisis.

Reusing items redirects waste from landfill, conserves limited resources by reducing consumption, and can meet others needs locally or make items available to those who cannot afford to purchase new. 

Read the full story here

Donation information

• Click here for your nearest household waste recycling centre and opening times please visit
• Donations can be dropped off from 1 - 31 August 2022.
• All four council household waste recycling centre will have donation points.
• Household waste recycling centre are open Monday - Sunday, 08:00 - 18:00 (last entry 17:45)
• Our council household waste recycling centres are for Glasgow residents only - proof of residency in Glasgow may be required

10 August - Sign up to help carry the baton forward - world's longest climate relay!

Registration is now open for runners to sign up for a stage of Running Out of Time, an extraordinary 7,767km, non-stop relay from Glasgow, Scotland (COP26 host) to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt (COP27 host) in the name of climate action. 

Running Out of Time will be the longest non-stop relay ever attempted with runners passing a baton containing a powerful climate change message from young people to the decision makers at COP27. Organised by The World Relay Ltd, the relay route is split into 732 stages that are around 10km each which runners can sign up for. The relay runs day and night for 38 days and travels to 18 countries. 

The relay will begin with an opening ceremony in COP26 host city Glasgow on 30 September 2022 - where the message will be sealed in the baton. Carried by runners, cyclists and sailors, it will journey through Scotland, Wales, England, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Cyprus, Israel and Egypt - arriving to Sharm el-Sheikh on 6 November 2022 in time for COP27 which will take place from 6 to 18 November 2022.

During the relay up to a million pupils from around the world will be brought together for a Schools Action Day on 3 November - an exciting virtual programme that champions climate change solutions while empowering young people to create an environmentally conscious world through experiential, project-based learning.

People around the world who are unable to run a stage on the physical route won't miss out. They're invited to pass the baton during a Global Virtual Relay on 5 November 2022 which is expected to attract tens of thousands of runners in the name of climate action.

Anyone over the age of 18 is welcome to sign-up to the relay. They will need to be able maintain an average pace of 6 minutes 15 seconds per kilometre / 10 minutes per mile for the duration of a stage.

Find your stage to take part and sign up here

10 August - Help young people transition into the post school world

The Young Person's Guarantee is a commitment to bring together employers, partners and young people. It aims to connect every 16 to 24 year old in Scotland to an opportunity. This could be a job, apprenticeship, further or higher education, training or volunteering, or enterprise opportunity.

School Leavers Toolkit

The School Leavers Toolkit launched on 30 May 2022 and is an information resource to support young people as they transition into the post-school world.

​The Toolkit covers a range of topics including mental well-being, work and pay, finances, moving out and housing options, community involvement and young people's rights.

Developed with young people and stakeholder organisations it has been created to be relevant for young people from all backgrounds, so that they can find the information on practical life matters that they need at the time that suits them.

10 August - Help bridge the care gap - support a young person

We urgently need 'Supported Carers' to help support young people leaving care to become independent before they transition to a home of their own.

Research shows many young people (aged between 16 and 25) leave care too quickly and well before they are ready. Supported care helps lengthen this transition period- allowing young people more time to prepare for their future; to finish an educational course or apprenticeship whilst in a safe, caring environment.

Libby Hardie has been a Supported Carer for the past 14 years and says "I found out about the role through a friend and thought it sounded like a worthwhile thing to do. I like the fact it fits around my full-time job. Unlike caring for children there are no school runs or holiday childcare cover to worry about.

"As I am single, I wasn't sure if I was what they were looking for, but regardless I went through the application process and was accepted. I can now appreciate that everyone has life experience and something to offer a young person regardless of their background. There's no 'one size fits all' and the social work team do a fantastic job of matching you with a suitable young person.

"I think some people might go into it naively; thinking they are going to make a huge impact on a young person's life. You need to realise though that sometimes it's the small things that we might take for granted, like teaching them how to cook or budget, that make the biggest difference to their lives.

"It is so rewarding finding out what motivates them and helping them discover what options are out there if they want them. One of the most memorable moments was taking one of the young people I was supporting to the beach. He was 18 and it was the first time he'd been to a beach. He ran up and down the sand exhilarated like a toddler, to get to give him that experience and share it with him was heart-warming.

"It's great to know you've helped move someone on in their life. The support from social work's Central Continuing Care & Aftercare Team

is unbelievable too. They have helped guide me through the process and are always there for advice should I need it. I would definitely urge anyone who can, to consider becoming a Supported Carer."

To find out more about becoming a Supported Carer visit www.glasgow.gov.uk/supportedcare

10 August - Your kilometres will plant trees - take part!

Walk2COP27 is organising a virtual, mass participation, walk from Glasgow - as host of COP26 to Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt - host of COP27.

Be part of it and make a real difference

The virtual journey starts in Glasgow on 22 September 2022 with an online 'Townhall' event which will be hosted by the Royal Society for Arts, manufactures and commerce. This first event, with keynote speakers, will be around the theme of health and climate change. Along the virtual route participants will have the opportunity to attend and visit 11 other Townhall style, climate change events, as you collectively walk, talk and act!  

As Gavin Slater, Head of Sustainability explains: "Glasgow was the proud host city of COP26 and the spotlight was upon us last year as world leaders came together to agree the Glasgow Climate Pact that aims to reduce the worst impacts of climate change and keep global temperature rises within 1.5C - to help protect our planet for future generations.

"This year we are encouraging all staff to join in this global event and make your way virtually to COP27. You can sign up to join the walk individually and then become part of an online team - building worldwide connections and solidarity with like-minded individuals, as you complete your walk to Egypt, learning about the different impacts of climate change, solutions and actions, en-route.

"It's really easy to take part and you can record your stroll round the garden, or your trek to the shops, wheeling and cycling, by using their app Clubhouse to track your distance. Working together to rack up the kilometres - you will reward the planet by getting trees planted for your achievements through the Jane Goodall Institute! You can do as much or as little as you want.

"This virtual journey presents an opportunity for us all to get involved and help raise awareness of climate change and better understand how our own actions can contribute to making a global difference."

What is Walk2COP27?

• It is based around a virtual journey from Glasgow (host city for COP26) to Sharm El-Sheikh (host city for COP27). There are 12 countries between Scotland and Egypt hosting a hybrid or virtual Townhall meeting that showcases the way climate change is impacting that location and the solutions that are being deployed.
• Walk2COP27 is open to participants from around the globe. Organisations, teams and individuals can participate by tracking their kilometres travelled on an app in their own locations. Trees will be planted by the Jane Goodall Institute for kilometres travelled (walked / run / cycled or travelled in a wheelchair).
• Participants can share their climate-related projects, and learn from others via the planned Townhall meetings, a participants' forum on Clubhouse, and social media.
• Towards the end of their journey, participants will contribute to a proclamation which will be delivered to the formal participants at COP27.

How can I take part?

The journey starts on the 22 September 2022 with the Glasgow Townhall. Participants will be able to register on the App and join a team from 1 September 2022.

Once your journey starts you will be able to:

• have trees planted on your behalf by tracking the distance you travel - up to 6 November 2022
• communicate with your team on the app and see how others are progressing
• participate in the 12 Townhalls which are run across the 45 days
• lead or participate in sessions on climate action on club house run by participants
• raise funds for the Jane Goodall Institute
• contribute to a proclamation summarising the views of all those participating for COP27 delegates to hear.

Visit Walk2COP27: Website  for more information.  Watch the Video here.

10 August - Do you need information in an alternative format?

Visit our new staff support pages - your 'one stop shop' to both creating accessible material and also sourcing information in an alternative format, such as Braille, BSL, and translations.

Afton Hill, Policy Officer, Chief Executive's Department explains "Accessibility is about making the information you are preparing clearer and easier for everyone to understand. As a council we have a responsibility to provide our information to our citizens in a format that meets their needs - whatever this may be. This is to help make sure that people do not experience barriers when accessing our services.

"So, to do this we need to make sure our information is accessible when it is being created and also by making reasonable adjustments so that it is available to them in a suitable format that meets their needs. For example, this could be a request for our bin collection dates in large print, a council policy document in Braille or even an interpreter to help a customer whose first language isn't English understand how to access our services.

"To help meet the needs of our customers we have created a dedicated support area on our staff website - everything in the one place you may need to help you make our information accessible to all."

Visit our new accessible support pages for help on how you can:

• create accessible information
• source help with getting our information in an alternative format

This includes key information on:

Creating information

Following key guidelines and a set of principles to help you create accessible information in:

Requesting information in an alternative format

'How to guides' on sourcing help to create information in an alternative format, such as:

10 August - Don't forget to take the course!

Our annual Information Security training course is developed to help us all understand our role and responsibilities when handling information - to help protect our buildings, staff, data and citizens. 

We all need to take it each year to comply with core policies.

Our 2022 Information Security Essentials course is now available for you to take.  

With some staff working in a hybrid manner - the quickest and easiest way to take this course is on GOLD as it is accessible from any device with an internet connection.

For example, you can login using your own device at home, to take the course, at a time that is convenient to suit your own personal circumstances.

However, if you are unable to access GOLD your manager can supply you with an alternative format of this course and record that you have taken it.

Your manager will remind you if you have not taken the course as uptake is being monitored across the whole council family.

To take the course on GOLD

• You can take the course here
• You will need your SAP number and your GOLD login details
• For support on how to login to GOLD from home read our Frequently Asked Questions

If you don't have access to GOLD - please speak to your manager for an alternative version of the course.

For more information and support on how to access the course visit Connect here

10 August - Scotland loves local launched across the city

This month sees the launch of the Scotland Loves Local Glasgow Gift Cards - worth £105, which are being distributed to 85,000 eligible households across the city.

Led by Economic Development in the Chief Executive's Department, a dedicated team of officers from across Financial Services, SITT team, Communication and Strategic Partnerships and Glasgow Life have been working hard to get the cards out to the right households.

As Ivonne Hamilton from Economic Development explains: "The gift cards are part of our ongoing work to help low income households with the cost of living crisis - whilst at the same time supporting local businesses with post pandemic recovery.

"Households in receipt of Council Tax Reduction as of June 1 will automatically receive the gift cards from us - they don't need to apply for it.

"All eligible households received letters earlier this month explaining how the card works and the importance of keeping their unique activation code safe - as they won't be able to use their card without it. The cards will be sent separately and are due to arrive in households later this month."

The gift cards can only be spent with businesses within our council boundary who are registered to accept them.

For more information visit www.glasgow.gov.uk/loveslocal.

10 August - Glasgow joins prestigious Foundation

Glasgow has joined the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's network, as a Partner.

The invitation comes on the back of the city's robust circular economy profile - referring to our ambitious 'Circular Economy Route Map' and the city's goal to become circular by 2045.

The council worked closely with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to develop the route map and the document sets out a framework and action plan to allow Glasgow to embrace a sustainable economic future. 

The circular projects are intended to change city-wide economic practices from the current culture of the throwaway society; addressing the linear 'take-make-waste' system in favour of developing a circular system where waste is eliminated, resources are circulated, and nature is regenerated.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation develops and promotes the idea of the circular economy, engages and inspires key actors (including city governments) to mobilise solutions as scale around the world. The Foundation's Network includes some of the largest corporations in the world including H&M, IKEA and Unilever as well as some of the world's largest cities including London, New York City and São Paulo. 

Glasgow City Council joins the Network for an initial period of two years. Circular Glasgow, an initiative with the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, will also be part of the city's partnership with the Foundation.

Councillor Angus Millar, Climate Convenor said: "Being invited to join the Ellen MacArthur Foundation is a fantastic opportunity for the city. The charity will work with us in different ways including continuing to help us promote the idea of a circular economy in Glasgow and developing research for the council and stakeholders to use in decision making." 

More information

• Visit our sustainable staff news pages to find out top tips on how to recycle, re-use and reduce - including key tips on circular living  
• Read the full news story on our website here

10 August - Our libraries remove late book fines

Our Glasgow Life Libraries team has removed charges for overdue books and cleared outstanding fines for items yet to be returned across all of Glasgow's 33 public libraries. With a growing cost of living crisis, our new approach is aimed at removing concerns about fines while making sure our libraries continue to be accessible to all.

The decision reflects a growing global movement to abolish late book fines, which is recognised as a barrier to participation, particularly for families from low-income households. It also supports our mission to inspire every citizen and visitor to become engaged and active in a city globally renowned for culture and sport.

Glasgow's libraries attracted more than 1.2m visits in the last operational year. Read more here.