October 2023

4 October 2023 - Be the Early Bird

People across Scotland are being reminded that their GP practice wants to know if they are experiencing persistent symptoms that are unusual for them, that could be cancer.

The Scottish Government's 'Be the Early Bird' campaign is encouraging people, particularly those aged over 40, to get checked if they notice unexplained bleeding, unusual lumps, unexplained weight loss or something that doesn't feel normal for them.

The benefits of finding cancer at an earlier stage include more treatment options, a greater likelihood of living well after treatment and better news to tell the family.

'Early Bird' Graeme Clark was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia two weeks after noticing symptoms that weren't normal for him including fatigue, red freckles on his arms and bleeding gums. Graeme, who was 29 when he was diagnosed, underwent chemotherapy, radiotherapy and then a stem cell transplant and is now five years completely clear.

Graeme said: "My advice to anyone concerned about a possible symptom is to make an appointment with your GP practice immediately. It doesn't bear thinking about what could have happened if I'd not been diagnosed at that point. Go with your gut if you feel something is wrong. Don't Google it or sit and worry about it, put your trust in the professionals. Regretting doing nothing is so not worth it."

If you're worried about a possible cancer symptom, your GP practice wants to know.

Screening remains one of the most effective ways to find cancer earlier. If you're eligible for screening, don't ignore your invite.

For more information

• Visit Get Checked Early
• Read the stories of the 'early birds' who are living well again after successful cancer treatment

4 October 2023 - Smoking burns your money... as well as your cigarettes

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Lothian have joined forces on a new campaign focusing on the harmful effects smoking has on people's health and bank accounts.

As the cost of living continues to rise, many people may be finding it difficult to make ends meet. This joint awareness campaign between Scotland's three largest health boards focuses on the benefits of quitting smoking to physical and mental health as well as money worries.

The aim is to direct people who smoke and their families to the free NHS stop smoking service: Quit Your Way. The service offers 12 weeks of support to anyone who smokes, including free nicotine replacement therapy, and specialist support to quit for pregnant women and those with mental health problems.

Stop smoking services can provide tailored information and support, as well as discussing the free nicotine replacement products like patches and gum that are available through the Quit Your Way services to help you quit.

To find out about the stop smoking services and to access the best support to quit in your area call the Quit Your Way helpline service on 0800 916 8858  Monday to Friday from 9am until 5pm.

• Visit NHS Inform where you will be able to search your nearest service and fill in a short form to be contacted by one of our advisors.
• Pop in to your local Community Pharmacy for FREE stop smoking support.
• See our Workforce Wellbeing Support pages on the Council website: www.glasgow.gov.uk/workforcewellbeing for more wellbeing information, advice and support.

4 October 2023 - Ditch the desk and walk the walk to give your mind and body a boost this autumn

As the nights draw in and the temperatures fall, give your health a boost by joining Paths for All for this year's Autumn Step Count Challenge.

Registration is now open for this year's challenge, which begins on Monday 30 October. There's prizes to be won and competitions to get involved in, so get together a team of five and register today.

• Find out how to get your team moving by reading the organiser's promotional pack
• REGISTER NOW

4 October 2023 - Webinar: Kindness in the Workplace

On Tuesday 10 October 2023 from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM online

This session is hosted by Able Futures on World Mental Health Day.

Join Able Futures on the day to learn how kindness, to ourselves and to others, can support mental health and wellbeing.

Able Futures, deliver the Access To Work Mental Health Support Service on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Register now to secure your place!

Visit the Able Futures website for more information on support available 

4 October 2023 - Free staff webinar on Thursday 19 October - sign up to learn more

PAM Assist - our Employee Assistance Provider are hosting this free webinar on how we can support mental health in the workplace on Thursday 19 October.

During this session you will gain the following valuable skills:

• Understand why mental health support is so important within the workplace
• Gain awareness of how to spot signs of poor mental health
• Identify strategies on how to build a positive culture that supports mental health

Register now to secure your place!

Please note: To be register and access this event, you must sign up with a valid council email address.

4 October 2023 - Make your mark - World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 24: apply to be a volunteer!

Glasgow is proud to host the 19th edition of the World Athletics Indoor Championships from 1-3 March 2024.

There will be six sessions of action-packed sport over three days of intense competition in the intimate setting of the Emirates Arena, with many of the best athletes in the world competing for prestigious World Indoor titles. Up to 650 competitors from more than 130 countries are expected to take part, competing in 26 events - 13 for men and 13 for women.

Tickets have already virtually sold out except for Friday morning, such is the huge level of interest in this world-class event, coming to Glasgow.

With just five months to go, we are now calling out for volunteers to apply as we aim to show our global visitors that Glasgow and its people are a special, welcoming, and world-class community.

The World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 24 (WICGlasgow24) will welcome hundreds of volunteers as part of the team delivering these Championships, playing an integral part in creating a world-class welcome to the athletes, officials, media, and spectators.

Volunteers will be at the heart of this fantastic event, helping to create extraordinary moments to raise the excitement level higher than ever before as WICGlasgow24 is planning to recruit around 400 volunteers to support its delivery of the Championships across the areas of Event Operations, Sport Operations and Spectator Experience.

With a wide selection of roles available, we encourage you to apply and explore our extensive list of role descriptions to decide which position is best for you.

Volunteering at WICGlasgow24 is the perfect opportunity to get involved in world-class sport events for the first time, meet wonderful new people and broaden your skillset in brand new areas.

Join us as we strive to raise the bar and set a new standard of excellence for elite athletics competition, enhancing the experience of all involved from athletes and their support teams to technical officials, media and the fans.

Want to become a volunteer?

If you are interested in playing your part and helping to take indoor athletics to the next level - then applications are now open for the volunteer programme and run until 22 October 2023.

Find out more about the volunteering and apply here: wicglasgow24.com

4 October 2023 - No Tricks just Treats - this October!

October is more than just pumpkin spice lattes and sweets. It is a time when we can come together to make a meaningful impact on causes that matter most to us and treat your charity.  

What is Payroll Giving? Payroll Giving is a simple, convenient way for you to support your favourite charities and causes through your salary. You can give back to the community in a cost-effective manner with every pound you donate only costing you 80p (for standard rate taxpayers) or as little as 60p (for higher rate taxpayers) while enjoying the flexibility to change or cancel your donation at any time.  

Why join the campaign? 

• Cost Savings:By donating through Payroll Giving, you can donate to your chosen cause at a reduced cost. It's an affordable way to make a difference without straining your budget. 
• No Hassles:There is no complicated process involved. Your donations are deducted automatically from your salary.  
• Tax Benefits: Plus, you can enjoy the tax benefits for your generosity. 

Start making a difference today, by clicking below and donating! 

4 October 2023 - Staff event on 11 October: come along and find out how data can help you make a difference

Data Makes a Difference - 10am on 11 October 2023, Satinwood Suite, City Chambers

Data underpins everything we do as a council - it supports both our policy and operational decision making helping us to design, deliver and transform our services to citizens. Using better and accurate data can help to improve lives as well as drive efficiencies within current financial constraints.

We all need to better understand the value of collecting, processing and using data across the organisation as data really does make a difference and is at the heart of everything we do. 

About the Event

• Join us at 10am on 11 October 2023, Satinwood Suite, City Chambers

We are inviting you to join us at a free event where you can find out more about how we have been using data to make a difference.  It will also provide you with the opportunity to consider how you can make better use of data and the support available to you.

You will hear from a number of Service areas who will showcase where data has made a difference to the services they provide, including NRS, Chief Executive's and Health & Social Care Partnership.

There will also the opportunity to attend live demonstrations for data driven solutions including housing, economic development, planning and financial inclusion.

The event is open to anyone in the organisation who uses data in their role, from senior and operational managers to data collectors and analysts.

The event will run for approximately 45 mins followed by the opportunity to attend live demos for a number of data driven solutions.  We hope to see you there.

To attend

The event is free and informal and there is no need to register - simply send an email to data@glasgow.gov.uk telling us that you would like to attend.