January 2024
10 January - Would you consider mentoring in 2024?
Donna Cunningham, Head of MCR Schools Programme Glasgow, would like to encourage staff to make a positive change to the year ahead by considering mentoring with MCR Pathways.
Donna said "I would like to wish all our colleagues and mentors a Happy New Year. I am pleased to share that last year MCR recruited 109 mentors from across the Glasgow Family, to find out more about the huge difference our mentors have made you can watch this short video.
"Although this is an amazing achievement, we hope to recruit even more mentors this year. At the moment we urgently need mentors for All Saints Secondary, Eastbank Academy, Lochend High, Lourdes Secondary, St Mungo's Academy, St Pauls' High and Whitehill Secondary. If you live or work near these schools and can commit an hour of your time each week please consider mentoring and help make a positive change to a young person's life. The rewards you will get back as a mentor are immeasurable"
To find out more pop into our drop in, half hour information session on
- Monday 22 January, 9:30am, 40 John Street, G1 1JL
Please email Donna Cunningham on Outlook to book a place as numbers are capped due to room capacity. Attendees should please report to reception on the day.
Or attend an online MS Teams interactive session on 11 January at 4:30pm:
MCR Pathways- Online Information Session- 11/01/24- 16.30-17.00
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.
10 January - Data Makes a Difference: save the date and chance to learn more
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.
The Strategic Information, Innovation and Technology (SIIT) team would like to thank everyone who attended the Data Makes a Difference event last October. With over one hundred attendees, we were delighted to see so many people from across the council taking a real interest in how data can help to improve the services we deliver to our citizens as well as drive efficiencies.
Kimberley Hose, Head of Business Intelligence, SIIT team said: "Our aim for holding the event was to showcase how the team has been using data to make a difference, and to provide staff with an opportunity to consider how they can make better use of data and the support available to them."
"Guest speakers highlighted how using data better has made an impact across services including housing, economic development, planning and financial inclusion. One of the specific projects highlighted was the city centre data dashboard which provides real time information about key indicators for Glasgow such as footfall, retail spend, transport and office rentals - which supports the delivery of initiatives such as planning and transport."
"There were also practical demonstrations on the day from some of the recent projects supported by the Data team including poverty, homelessness, traffic and our city 3D model"
Feedback from the roadshows was positive
We received positive feedback from attendees - with respondents to our post event survey saying they would recommend the event to colleagues and said it had made them start to think more about how they could start using the data they have differently to achieve better outcomes.
"I thought the event was excellent. Great clear messages, speakers and real-life examples."
"I will be looking for opportunities to make better use of the data we use."
"I took inspiration from the event to create a dashboard for the data I hold. We have a ton of data that could be telling us so much"
"I will think more about the ways data and data visualisation tools can help tackle challenges in my day-to-day job."
Next event
This event is the first in a series to demonstrate the power of data - we are using the feedback from attendees to shape the content and structure of our next 'show and tell' event, scheduled for April 2024 in the City Chambers. So, look out for more information about this which will be coming your way soon.
GOLD Course
We are also delighted to be launching a new "Getting Started with Data" course which is now available on GOLD - this has been developed with the Scottish Government working in partnership with other councils, as well as Glasgow.
The course introduces the types of information used in our organisation and how your actions can impact on this information.
You will find the course on GOLD under Core Programmes, in the section on How to handle information.
More Information
You can read more about how staff use data every day to make a difference at Data Makes a Difference
10 January - The right tree in the right place : tell us your location!
Glasgow has a new online Tree Plan Portal which is inviting city residents to suggest locations for woodland and wildflower planting.
Eighteen million trees and hedges are being planted across the Glasgow City Region to create new woodland and wildlife habitats by 2030.
We are now inviting citizens to come forward with site ideas for new trees as part of plans to:
- increase canopy cover
- reduce air pollution
- help tackle global warming.
The new online portal enables people to see where trees have already been planted and to suggest sites where they would like to see a new tree or wildflowers. Locations suggested by the public will be assessed by the council and if viable, a suitable species of tree will be chosen to suit the site's size and growing conditions.
Four current priority areas have been identified for increased canopy cover. The city's Tree Plan lists Bridgeton and Dalmarnock, Govan, Levern and District and Possilpark as communities which would benefit from more trees.
Almost 70,000 trees have been planted across the city since 2018 /2019 which will provide food, cover and nest sites for birds as well as habitat for insects, bats and invertebrates. The trees will also create shade for people and animals amid rising summer temperatures.
Young trees, known as saplings or whips, have already been planted at Cathkin Braes, Tollcross Park, Kings Park, King George V Park and Shannon Street.
Buy a tree - mark a life event
People can also buy trees as sustainable gifts via the portal to commemorate major life events such as births, special wedding anniversaries or in memory of a lost loved one. They will be planted by the council in locations such as Alexandra Park, Glasgow Green and Queens Park. Locations earmarked for a tree which can be bought to mark a life event can be viewed on the portal's interactive map which also has further information on the purchase process.
Get involved - volunteer
Businesses, community groups and individuals who would like to volunteer to help with tree planting across the city can also contact us through the portal.
The Clyde Climate Forest is being delivered with the help of Woodland Trust Scotland, Green Action Trust, the Conservation Volunteers, Trees for Cities, Scottish Forestry and Glasgow City Region.
The new Tree Plan Portal can be viewed at Tree Plan Portal.
10 January - Summer Internship Programme 2024
Our Service HR Teams are currently working with Leadership Teams to identify areas of the organisation who would benefit from offering a placement on our Summer Internship Programme in 2024.
The programme provides an opportunity for services to employ a final year HND or penultimate year degree student to work on a 12 week project based activity during the summer. The posts are advertised based on service project requirements with a person spec developed to ensure applicants are suitably experienced to be able to deliver with appointment decisions being made by the recruiting manager.
If you're a manager with a project which you feel would be suitable and you can fund the post at Grade 1 for the 12 week period then please ensure you indicate your interest in taking part with your Leadership Team.
Deadline for submissions is 26 January 2024
Full details of the programme and considerations are at http://connect.glasgow.gov.uk/summerinterns it includes the email address for enquiries if you need support to consider whether your project would be suitable or how to make your application.
The programme supports our Youth Strategy commitments and the Council's Strategic Plans commitment to Reduce Poverty and Inequality in our Communities and Increase Opportunity and Prosperity for all our citizens.
10 January - Lord Provost's Christmas warm jacket and new toy appeal 2023
Following the Lord Provost's Christmas toy and warm jacket appeal, the Lord Provost, Cllr Jacqueline McLaren would like to thank all staff and organisations who contributed to helping those young people across the city.
A special thank you to City Building for their generous donation and to all staff and external organisations who kindly donated so much.
Such an example is the CBS Accounts Payable Team in Financial Services who decided to donate toys to the appeal instead of buying each other seasonal gifts.
Sandra McNamee, Operations Manager, Customer and Business Services said: "Every year as part of our Christmas lunch we always have a Secret Santa where each member of the team buys a colleague a present. This year the team decided that instead of buying gifts they would donate to the Lord Provost Toy Appeal."
"The team donated a wide selection of toys and delivered these to the Lord Provost Office - we all hope this can go some way to helping children experience some festive joy."
It is hoped that the many donations which were distributed across the city to those in most need, would give some comfort and joy over the festive period.
10 January - Staff health and wellbeing roadshow success
As part of our commitment to staff Health and Wellbeing roadshows were held - at the Dalmarnock Legacy Hub and in the Satinwood Suite, City Chambers - for staff in Financial Services, the Chief Executive's Department and City Property (Glasgow) LLP.
The roadshows provided staff with the opportunity to access key information from a range of awareness stalls from our external partners with leaflets and advice on all things Health and Wellbeing. This included information from PAM ASSIST, our Employee Assistance provider, the benefits of joining the Glasgow Credit Union, cost of living information, Menopause advice as well as free back, neck and shoulder massages and the opportunity to make a healthy drink on the smoothie bike.
Feedback from the roadshows was positive - you can read what staff said below
"I found the roadshow informative with a bit of fun thrown in. I collected reading material on mental and physical health as well as some freebies that were available. I found out more about the £10 a month gym membership, where I can get support for my arthritis and details on having a trial session on an electric bike. I really enjoyed the free neck and shoulder massage. Overall, I would recommend going along to these."
"The health and wellbeing roadshow was a worthwhile event as there was a wide variety of stalls with information ranging from money management advice to Glasgow Life who were promoting the benefits staff can receive as a member and details of activities in your local area. And for a bit of fun there was a smoothie bike where you could use pedal power to make a delicious smoothie, which I did, and it was lovely!"
Julie Shields, Senior HR Officer, Strategic HR said: "It was great to hear the positive feedback from staff who attended the roadshows, and many took leaflets to share with their colleagues who were unable to attend. We would encourage staff to come along and benefit from hearing first-hand what health and wellbeing support is available to them by speaking to the experts or browsing through the information available at the stalls. We plan to hold more roadshows in the new year, so we look forward to seeing you there."
For more information on the range of health and wellbeing support and resources available to all staff visit workforce wellbeing.
