May 2023
22 May 2023 - "It's a game changer!" : join the Glasgow Credit Union before the end of June and be entered into their prize draw.
Formed in 1989 with the purpose of improving the financial wellbeing of Glasgow City Council workers, Glasgow Credit Union has grown over years to become the UK's largest and most successful credit union.
With a partnership spanning over 30 years, everyone working for the council is eligible to join and membership is free. Over 7,000 council staff are already experiencing the benefits of membership with Glasgow Credit Union!
Benefits of joining include:
- Save direct from your wages every payday
- A hassle-free way to become a regular saver with the comfort of free Life Savings Protection
- Exclusive access to personal loans up to £25,000
- Exclusive access to member-only mortgages, including our 95% mortgage
- 24-hour access to your account via our website and mobile app
- Become part of a local, mutual organisation that puts members and the Glasgow community first
- Savings protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme
Anthony Oliver, Corporate Procurement Unit in Chief Executive's Department stated: "Saving direct from my wages is a complete game changer and makes setting money aside each month so much easier. I have been a member for over 10 years and during that time it has helped me save for holidays, Christmas and my first house. It's also handy if you ever need to borrow and the loan repayments come straight from your salary which again, makes things feel easier. I have recommended Glasgow Credit Union to countless colleagues over the years and would still have no hesitation in doing so today."
Join before 30 June to enter a £50 prize draw!
Joining Glasgow Credit Union is free and easy. Every council family employee who joins before 30 June will be entered into a prize draw to win £50. Don't delay, join today!
More information
To become a member, all you need to do is save a regular amount from your salary each month. Find out more at: https://www.glasgowcu.com/gcc-join-today/
3 May 2023 - We Need You - closing date extension and drop-in session Wednesday 10 May
This summer Glasgow will once again host another major sporting event, and we need you to help us deliver.
The event
From 3-13 August 2023, the inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships will be hosted in Glasgow and across Scotland. It will be the single biggest cycling event in history, bringing together 13 existing individual cycling world championship disciplines into one mega event. We will be looking for passionate and enthusiastic staff to help us deliver in a variety of roles supporting areas like Event Operations, Spectator Services and Workforce to name but a few. You'll be embedded in a large, dedicated event team, be fully trained and will support delivery as the world watches the biggest cycling event ever!
Drop-in session
On Wednesday, May 10 from 12:30 - 1pm, we will be hosting a drop-in session on Microsoft Teams for any Glasgow City Council staff who are interested in the We Need You programme, to come and hear a little about what the programme is and then ask us any questions you may have about it. This can be anything from general questions about the programme, to questions about the roles, to questions about how we can accommodate your specific circumstances. This is a great opportunity for anyone who is on the fence about applying, or for anyone who will be a first time We Need You participant who wants to see what the experience might offer them.
Here is the Teams meeting link:
Click here to join the meeting
Important Information
- Applications have been extended! We've seen some great interest so we want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to apply, and therefore, we've extended our application deadline by two weeks. You now have until Sunday, May 14 to register and apply.
- You should seek your line manager's approval before making an application.
- You will be asked to work your contracted weekly hours, although some evening and weekend cover will be required.
- You can sign up via this link to register your interest. Here you'll be asked to sign up to our portal where you'll be able to access more information including full overviews of all the roles available.
Key dates:
- Applications will be open until May 14
- Applicants reviewed and contacted throughout May
- Final confirmations & start dates for successful candidates inJune
- Most posts will last from mid to late July until 13 August
Please contact UCIWorkforce@glasgowlife.onmicrosoft.com if you have any questions.
For more information read our supporting briefings: 
We Need You Role Profiles [379kb] We Need You Managers' Briefing [252kb]
3 May 2023 - Free mental health support for staff: book your virtual appointment
Your health and wellbeing at work is our highest priority and we are always looking for ways we can enhance the support we provide. That's why we've partnered with Able Futures who deliver the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service on behalf of the Department of Work and Pensions.
Able Futures offer up to nine months of free, confidential one to one mental health support from a qualified mental health professional from the Better Health Generation. Support is available over the phone, through email, or video calls at a time to suit you.
They can help you deal with issues relating to anxiety, depression, grief, or stress, or to deal with problems such as debt, disrupted sleep or relationship breakdowns. Whatever is playing on your mind and affecting the way you feel, Able Futures can support you so that you can feel better and have more good days.
15 May - book a virtual appointment
To mark the start of Mental Health Awareness Week this year, Able Futures are running a Virtual Appointment Day which offers staff the opportunity to book a 30-minute telephone appointment to talk to a mental health professional from Able Futures, in complete confidence and at a time chosen by you.
You can book your timeslot at: https://calendly.com/lisa-woodward-1/appointment-booking-mental-health-support-gc-15th
You will receive confirmation of your booking by email, and a mental health professional from the Better Health Generation will call you at your chosen time to discuss how they can help. During the call, they will answer any initial questions you have about the service and can complete your application there and then for the free mental health support if you wish to proceed.
This service is fully confidential, and the council will not be made aware of any personal appointments or bookings.
Support is available now
You don't have to wait until the appointment day, you can apply through the Able Futures website at any time for support. This confidential service is quick and easy to access:
- Freephone 0800 321 3137 for a chat to determine the right support for you, lines are open 8am to 10.30pm, Monday to Friday
- Apply online at https://able-futures.co.uk/mental-health-support-for-individuals/apply-for-able-futures
If you need a private safe space to talk to Able Futures or need flexibility to balance this with work and personal commitments, then you should talk to your manager to discuss how this can be accommodated.
Visit our health and wellbeing support
For more information visit our workforce wellbeing page
3 May 2023 - Supporting our diverse workforce: Stephen Lawrence Day
Saturday 22 April marked the 30th anniversary of the death of Steven Lawrence. The loss of this exceptional young man and the circumstances of his death led to the creation of legislation on race relations and highlighted the cultural and institutional racism in the UK.
The impact of Stephen's death resonates even today as the racism and racial inequality continue to impact on the lives of many.
The council takes this opportunity to recognise the diverse workforce that help keep this city going and to reiterate that inequality, discrimination, racism and intolerance of others is not acceptable. We acknowledge and support the work of the Stephen Lawrence Foundation and we will continue to work to ensure we're a fair and equal employer to all.u
If you have or are experiencing bullying or harassment, we urge you to act and follow our 5 steps to stop bullying and harassment:
1. Don't ignore the problem.
2. Confide in someone.
3. Know the policy and options open to you.
4. Keep a record.
5. Consider taking action.
Full details of our policy and approach are detailed online -
Bullying and Harassment - Glasgow City Council.
You can also speak with our Employee Assistance Provider PAM Assist who are available 24 hours a day to provide free confidential advice and support, you can contact them on FreePhone 0800 247 1100. Webchat: pam-assist.co.uk or by Email: counsellingteam@pamassist.co.uk / info@pamwellbeing.co.uk.
3 May 2023 - Payroll Giving is King
Celebrating an era of change and finding new ways of doing traditional things? Then you need to know about Payroll Giving.
Do you already support charities with regular donations from your bank? By making a clever swap to a Payroll Giving donation you can save money. The donation is taken from pay before tax meaning that your nominated charity receives the amount you pledge but you don't pay the tax.
You will also be helping your charity save time and money on administration and ensure they receive all the tax every month and don't have to claim gift aid. View our Payroll Giving calculator by clicking here
It is 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. Your charity will be thankful.
3 May 2023 - Sir Chris Hoy launches 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships 23 Million Mile Challenge
Last Tuesday, organisers of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships launched the 23 Million Mile Challenge in partnership with Love to Ride - as part of the celebration of 100 days to go until the inaugural 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships mega-event takes place in Glasgow, and across Scotland, from 3-13 August.
To kick off the 23 Million Mile Challenge, static bikes were placed in George Square and passers-by were encouraged to join in the challenge and log the first miles. Cyclists from across the UK are urged to complete as many miles as possible between April and the UCI Cycling World Championships taking place in August.
Take part
The organisers are challenging everyone to sign up and contribute to their collective target of 23 million miles cycled across the UK ahead of the biggest cycling event in the world.
Registrations open at cyclingworldchamps.com/23-million-mile-challenge.
Sir Chris Hoy, 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships Ambassador, said: "In 100 days, the greatest cycling athletes in the world will bring the biggest and best cycling event in history to Scotland. The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will be full of can't-miss moments across the country for everyone to experience and enjoy.
"I'm thrilled to help mark today's milestone and kickstart the 23 Million Mile Challenge by logging some of the first miles as part of the journey we can all be part of on the countdown to the Championships."
Read the full story on 100 days to go on our council news web site
Tickets
With something for everyone to enjoy, the 2023 UCI Cycling Worlds will feature 13 high-adrenaline, exciting UCI World Championships including Track and Para-cycling Track at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, BMX Racing at Glasgow BMX Centre, BMX Freestyle (Park and Flatland) and Trials at Glasgow Green, Indoor Cycling (artistic cycling and cycle-ball) at the Emirates Arena, Mountain Bike Cross-Country, and Marathon in Glentress Forest, Tweed Valley. Mountain Bike Downhill in Fort William and Road and Para-cycling Road across Scotland.
Tickets are on sale now from as little as £8, with concessions from £5, plus there are many free events to watch throughout the Championships.
Don't miss a single moment - get your tickets online now at www.cyclingworldchamps.com
3 May 2023 - Join our Women's Network to have your say on gender issues: next event
Our Women's Network provides an opportunity for women - or anyone interested in gender issues - to get together and discuss relevant topics, share ideas, insights and experiences.
The group provides a positive, supportive environment enabling members to relate to one another first and foremost as individuals.
Sign up for the Women in Leadership Event with Sarah Shaw, Head of Planning
The Glasgow City Council Women's Network are inviting all staff to the next Women in Leadership event in May with Sarah Shaw, Head of Planning in Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability.At this informal event,Sarah will be discussing her varied career path from studying Law to Policy Planning and sharing her experience of being a woman in leadership in the public sector. Participants will find out more about what challenges Sarah has faced and hear more about the city's approach to Feminist Planning.
Sarah will talk about her recent work on Feminist Urbanism in Glasgow and the importance of approaching planning through a gendered lens: "I think the main thing to remember is that any good design for women is good design for everybody. It's universal design. It's not just for the women. It's just making sure that women's lived experience is being taken into account."
Event Details
Thursday 4th May 2023
12.00 - 13.00
This event will be held on MS Teams
To join the network or sign up to the attend the Women in Leadership event email WomensNetwork@glasgow.gov.uk
More information
- For more information about the Women's Network go to Connect
3 May 2023 - Aye Write 2023: Tickets on sale now
Aye Write, Glasgow's Book Festival, is back for 2023. From Friday 19 to Sunday 28 May, this year's event takes place across both the Mitchell Library and the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.
More than 120 events will showcase a broad range of both established and emerging writing talent. These will feature lively discussion and debate involving 175 authors from Scotland and around the world.
A range of current topics and cultural themes underpin the carefully curated programme, with content focusing on subjects as diverse as the cost-of-living crisis, the war in Ukraine, health and wellbeing, the environment and climate crisis, today's political environment in the UK, sport, and the criminal justice system.
Tickets
View this year's events and buy your tickets now at website.
