November 2023

November - We need you, come along and find out more at our last session of the year!

We urgently need MCR mentors for All Saints Secondary, Lochend High, Lourdes Secondary, St Mungo's Academy, St Pauls' High and Whitehill Secondary. If you think you might be able to help, you can come and find out more at the following information sessions:

• Wednesday 6 December, 3:30pm to 4:00pm, 40 John Street, G1 1JL. 
• Monday 8 January, 3:30pm to 4:00pm, 40 John St, G1 1JL.

Please email Donna.cunningham@glasgow.gov.uk to book a place as numbers are capped due to room capacity.  Attendees should please report to reception on the day.

If you can't make any of the dates above,  you can sign up anytime and take yourself through the online information session - MCR Pathways Online Sign Up.

During November - join the Glasgow Credit Union for a chance to win £100 in time for Christmas

In these challenging times, saving money can be difficult. But do you know that you could join over 7,000 of your colleagues who are regularly saving and borrowing with Glasgow Credit Union?

All council staff members have the added benefit of being able to save into a Glasgow Credit Union account directly from your salary.

Saving from your wage each payday can make it easier to develop a regular savings habit and an ideal way to set-a-side money for Christmas, holidays or simply a rainy-day fund.

Benefits of joining include:

• Save direct from your wages each payday (between £5 - £500, you decide!)
• Exclusive access to personal loans from £500 up to £25,000
• Exclusive access to member-only mortgages, including their 100% mortgages
• 24-hour access to your account via our website and mobile app
• Become part of a local, mutual organisation that puts members first
• Savings protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

During Talk Money Week, why not do one thing that could help improve your financial wellbeing: join Glasgow Credit Union and make payday save-day!

Join before 30 November to enter a £100 prize draw!

• Joining Glasgow Credit Union is free and easy.
• Every council family employee who joins before 30 November will be entered into a prize draw to win £100.
• 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/

1 November 2023 - Talk Money Week is 6 to 10 November: do one thing to improve your financial wellbeing with these free events and tools

Even with an increase in cost of living-related news, we know it can be hard to talk about money.

As we recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and with current cost-of-living pressures, it's more important than ever that we get support for money worries. Building money conversations into our everyday lives also helps us build financial confidence and resilience to face whatever the future throws at us.

This Talk Money Week, Money and Pensions Service are calling on people to have more open conversations about their money - from pocket money to pensions - and to continue to have these conversations all year-round.

It doesn't have to be huge, in fact, it could be as simple as checking the address on your pension, having a conversation with a colleague, or checking out the following

FREE resources:

• Making the Most of your Money Webinar by Glasgow Credit Union on 23 Nov 10am - 12 noon. Register here
• Financial Wellbeing Webinar deliveredby PAM Assist, 5 Dec 10-10.30am. Register here
• Visit our Financial Wellbeing Support webpages for information and advice including our staff help sheet for a list of recommended support routes for you if you are worried about money or are supporting a colleague.
• Explore the free tools and calculators on the Money Helper Website.

1 November 2023 - During Talk Money Week: find out about the benefits of HSF Health Plan

Discover HSF Health Plan:

Seeking stability in your healthcare costs? HSF Health Plan provides the answer. It's your gateway to budget-friendly healthcare, where just £1 a week results in substantial savings.

Why HSF Health Plan?

1. Healthcare on a Budget: Make your health a priority without financial worries. HSF Health Plan offers affordable healthcare solutions.

2. Your Financial Safety Net: HSF Health Plan acts as a financial safety net, providing peace of mind for unexpected medical expenses.

3. Customised Health Coverage: Tailor your healthcare coverage to your unique needs with HSF Health Plan's options.

Discover a brighter, budget-friendly future with HSF Health Plan. Get ready to unlock big benefits without the big costs. Click below now and let's supercharge your savings!

Find out more about the HSF Health Plans available to Glasgow City Council employees, and/or apply online: https://www2.hsf.eu.com/gcc-23

Regulatory footer:

HSF Health Plan Ltd is the trading company of The Hospital Saturday Fund, a Registered Charity in the UK No 1123381 and in Ireland Registered Charity No 20104528. In Ireland HSF Health Plan Ltd is authorised and regulated as a Third Country Branch by the Central Bank of Ireland. Registered as Company no 904935, their registered office is at 5 Westgate Business Park, Kilrush Road, Ennis, Co. Clare. In the UK HSF Health Plan Ltd is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Registered as Company in England No 30869, their registered office is at 24 Upper Ground London SE1 9PD.

1 November 2023 - During Talk Money Week: join the Glasgow Credit Union for a chance to win £100 in time for Christmas

In these challenging times, saving money can be difficult. But do you know that you could join over 7,000 of your colleagues who are regularly saving and borrowing with Glasgow Credit Union?

All council staff members have the added benefit of being able to save into a Glasgow Credit Union account directly from your salary.

Saving from your wage each payday can make it easier to develop a regular savings habit and an ideal way to set-a-side money for Christmas, holidays or simply a rainy-day fund.

Benefits of joining include:

• Save direct from your wages each payday (between £5 - £500, you decide!)
• Exclusive access to personal loans from £500 up to £25,000
• Exclusive access to member-only mortgages, including their 100% mortgages
• 24-hour access to your account via our website and mobile app
• Become part of a local, mutual organisation that puts members first
• Savings protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

During Talk Money Week, why not do one thing that could help improve your financial wellbeing: join Glasgow Credit Union and make payday save-day!

Join before 30 November to enter a £100 prize draw!

• Joining Glasgow Credit Union is free and easy.
• Every council family employee who joins before 30 November will be entered into a prize draw to win £100.
• 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/

1 November 2023 - November is men's health month: find out more

November is men's health month, a month-long event led by men's health charity 'Movember' focusing on promoting physical and mental wellbeing among men - addressing issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health challenges and suicide prevention.

Movember advise that men die on average 4.5 years earlier than women, and for reasons that are largely preventable. That is why each year Movember call on us all to take action so that men can live healthier, happier and longer lives.

What you can do this month:

• Read and share Movember's top 5 things to know and do
• Register here for the FREE webinar 'Men, managing our mental health 'on Monday 20 November, 2-3pm - run by Able Futures who deliver the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service on behalf of the Deparment for Work and Pensions.
• See the men's health section of our Health and Wellbeing Handbook for a list of local support services focused on supporting men's wellbeing.

1 November 2023 - Love to sing? Lift your spirits at lunchtime

• Where: Centre for Contemporary Arts, 350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3JD
• When: Tuesdays 12.40pm-13.20pm, starting 7 November 2023

The RSNO Workplace Choir is a brand-new lunchtime choir for city centre workers.

With singing being proven to boost your mood, reduce stress and increase your confidence, our weekly 40-minute sessions are the perfect opportunity to take time away from your desk and focus on your wellbeing during a busy working week.

The RSNO Workplace Choir is open to all, without audition.

Each session is all about singing for enjoyment, learning something new and taking a small amount of time for yourself each week. Chorus Leader Anna Ghazal will be on hand to guide you through vocal warm-ups, singing exercises, learning uplifting pieces and, most importantly, having fun.

Come along and join us! We operate a pay-what-you-can model, with a suggested donation of £5 payable at rehearsals.

To sign-up, please visit www.rsno.org.uk/workplace or for more details, email engage@rsno.org.uk

1 November 2023 - Fun and informal free online Gaelic awareness session: register to join us!

In a one-off, online, event for all staff, Gaelic broadcaster, singer, musician and producer Mary Ann Kennedy will share her life experience as a Glasgow Gael and the contribution of Gaelic language and culture to Glasgow's historic past, and present day success.

Session

This Gaelic awareness session will be delivered online, in English - on Tuesday 14 November from 4.30pm to 5.30pm.

At this fun and informal event you will be able to:

• learn more about the various aspects of Gaelic language and culture
• understand Gaelic's place in Baile Mòr nan Gàidheal - the City of the Gaels.
• find out more about Gaelic's place at the heart of the city across centuries
• understand the Gaelic connections between the Clyde and the Gaelic west coast, and the various - sometimes unexpected - steps that led to the highly successful Gaelic medium education system in the city.
• try your hand at some basic Gaelic phrases
• listen - as there may even be music!

Gaelic has been part of Glasgow's history for more than a thousand years. The origin of many of our well-known place-names come from Gaelic. Interest in Gaelic in Glasgow continues to grow with increasing numbers of children enrolling in Gaelic schools, more adults taking Gaelic classes, and more enjoying amazing concerts and events with Glasgow's Gaelic singers and musicians. 

Donald MacPhee, Gaelic Development Officer, said: "We're delighted to get Mary Ann booked up for this event. She has a great awareness and connection to Gaelic in Glasgow and is passionate about sharing her knowledge with a wider audience. It's an event not to be missed!"

Register

For information on how to register for this event, please email donald.macphee@glasgow.gov.uk

1 November 2023 - 'Giving Tuesday' is 28 November: a global day of giving!

It is the perfect time to get started with Payroll Giving as it is a day dedicated to giving back, and what better way to celebrate than by setting up a regular contribution to causes you are passionate about? Here is why you should join in too:

1.      Be part of something bigger: Join your colleagues in a collective effort to support charities that need your help

2.      Simplicity and Impact: give effortlessly by setting up your donations through the link below and donations will add up to a substantial impact.

3.      Did you know your donation is tax-efficient? This means you do not pay income tax on the donation so for every £1 it only costs a standard rate taxpayer 80p or a higher rate taxpayer 60p - see our handy calculator to help put you in control

4.      Charities love Payroll Giving you are supporting them, reducing the hassle of claiming gift aid, and supporting them sustainably.

Giving Tuesday is all about coming together to support those in need.

With your help, we can make a significant difference on this Global Day of Giving.

1 November 2023 - Get Active Glasgow podcasts: next episode out

Glasgow Life has developed the Get Active Glasgow podcast to celebrate Glasgow's year as European Capital of Sport.

In the latest episode, Try Something New, we visit Ravie Davie "The Fresh Prince of Drumoyne Square" at the Glasgow School of Wrestling.

The podcast series showcases the difference physical activity and sport makes to people and communities in Glasgow. Episode 2 highlights fantastic alternative activities that are available throughout the city including Sparta Trampoline Club. We also chat to BMX Racer Harrison Bell and his dad on the impact sport has had on his life.

The podcast is now live across all major platforms: Apple Podcasts, Acast, Spotify and Amazon Music.

To enjoy the accompanying video content please visit the European Capital of Sport webpage.