February 2024

7 February 2024 - New wellbeing app for download on council iPhones or own device

The PAM Assist Wellbeing App from our employee assistance provider PAM Assist is now available on council iPhones or for you to download to your personal phone and get access instant health and wellbeing support. 

For example, through the App you can

• directly 'connect to talk' to the team - such as live chat with a counsellor
• read health and wellbeing articles of interest to you
• watch and take part in videos, such as yoga exercises
• take part in weekly expert exchange topics
• take courses and access support tools such as mediation and mindfulness techniques
• complete health assessments, get recommendations of activity, and track your progress.

Sign up to register first

To use the App you first need to register and create an account via the web site.

1. Visit pam-assist.co.uk and then select Sign Up link
2. Insert our organisational code: GCC
3. Next create your login account details using your work email address and a secure password
4. You then need to validate your account from the notification email which will be sent to your work email address - please check your junk folder if you don't see it in your normal inbox
5. After this you will login using your work email address and password created when registering - on either the PAM Assist App or website.

Downloading the PAM Assist Wellbeing App - council iPhones

• Click on the company portal icon on your work iPhone
• Then select and click on the PAM Assist Wellbeing App and install it
• Once downloaded to your iPhone login using your newly created account details

Download the PAM Assist Wellbeing App - Personal Device

• Access the Apple APP store or Play Store (Android)
• Search for PAM Assist APP and download
• Once downloaded to your personal device using your newly created account details

7 February 2024 - The Exceptional Gift: Calum and Ian's story

Did you know that a healthy person can lead a completely normal life with one kidney? Over 1,900 people in Scotland have become living kidney donors, transforming the lives of others.

A kidney from a living donor generally offers the best outcomes for someone living with kidney failure. With over 400 people waiting on a kidney transplant in Scotland, the living donation programme remains an important part of increasing donation and transplantation rates.

Calum and Ian : Miracle match pair share their story to highlight extraordinary impact of living kidney donation.

Father of two Calum Mitchell, from Dunfermline, received a kidney donated by friend Ian Cameron, from Edinburgh, after tests showed the pair were a 100% match. Calum, who underwent his first transplant from a deceased donor aged 21 after being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, spoke of how Ian's gift has given him his life back with his bloods showing his kidney function is better now than it was aged 16.  Read their amazing story here.

Find out more and read other personal stories at livingdonation.scot #TheExceptionalGift

7 February 2024 - Feeling worried or anxious?

Post-Christmas blues and cold dark nights can have an impact on everyone's mental health. For those going through a difficult patch, feeling stressed, anxious or low, the Scottish Government's Mind to Mind campaign offers practical tips to help with life's ups and downs.

The Mind to Mind campaign aims to help adults in Scotland who may be facing challenges with their mental wellbeing.

On the dedicated Mind to Mind website, there's over 30 videos of people talking about their own mental wellbeing challenges in a bid to help others who may be going through a similar thing.

Covering topics including dealing with anxiety and panic, coping with money worries, handling stress, improving sleep, lifting mood and moving through grief, each contributor shares practical advice on what has worked for them. The website also features commentary from a range of professionals and signposts where people can access further help and support.

Visit the website: https://www.nhsinform.scot/mindtomind

Further information and support:

• Call our Employee Assistance Provider PAM Assist free on 0800 247 1100, or by Webchat: pam-assist.co.uk, or email: counsellingteam@pamassist.co.uk where you can access free, independent and confidential support at any time of the day or night - all year round.
• Download the PAM App. Visit https://pam-assist.co.uk/ to download the PAM Assist Employee Wellbeing App - using our organisation code GCC to sign up.
• Call Able Futures free on 0800 321 3137 (8am - 10.30pm, Monday to Friday) where you can access up to nine-months free one to one advice and guidance from a mental health specialist who can help you learn coping mechanisms, build resilience, access therapy or work with your employer to make adjustments to help your mental health at work.
• Visit our workforce wellbeing webpages: www.glasgow.gov.uk/workforcewellbeing for further mental health and wellbeing information, resources and support.

7 February 2024 - Free Gaelic classes for staff - don't miss out sign up today!

One of our Gaelic Language Plan's objectives is for all staff to have more opportunities to learn the language.

To get you started, a six-week block of Gaelic classes is being offered in partnership with Fèisean nan Gàidheal.

• Classes are on Teams and are for different ability levels.
• They will be held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays: starting from Tuesday 20 February.
• Level 1 is complete beginner, Level 2 is some knowledge, Level 3 is intermediate/advanced.

Registration is now open

• Click on the link https://form.jotform.com/233442767596368 to register - but be quick as spaces tend to go very quickly.

More

• Read Latest staff news - Glasgow City Council to see how Glasgow is celebrating World Gaelic Week this month and
• don't forget to tell us if you are you fluent, currently learning or simply interested in Gaelic in our skills staff survey.

7 February 2024 - Are you fluent, currently learning or simply interested?

Take part in our Gaelic skills staff survey

The 2024 Gaelic skills survey for all staff of the council and ALEOs is open from now until Friday 1 March.

We carry out this internal research every couple of years to stay informed of staff knowledge, ability, attitude, awareness and use of Gaelic.

This survey is for everyone - so if you're learning, already fluent, or are simply curious or interested in Gaelic, please complete the survey https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/GSSS2024/

More

• Read Latest staff news - Glasgow City Council to see how Glasgow is celebrating World Gaelic Week this month and
• don't forget to register for free Gaelic classes this month at  https://form.jotform.com/233442767596368 - but be quick as spaces tend to go very quickly.

7 February 2024 - Join colleagues on Glasgow Kilt Walk to raise funds for Lord Provost's charity

James Currie (General Attendant) and George Young (Lord Provost's Office) based, in the City Chambers, are seeking colleagues to join their team 'The City Chambers Champions'and take part in the Glasgow Kilt Walk (Mighty Stride) on 28 April 2024 - to raise funds for the Lord Provost's charity.

Sign up to join their team

Sign up to the event by clicking the registration link at https://in.justgiving.events/glasgow-kiltwalk-2024?currentPage=select-competition and select your chosen distance. Registration fees are subsidised and based on your preferred choice:

• Mighty Stride 22.6 miles
• Big Stroll 14.2 miles
• Wee Wander 3.1 miles

When registering:

• in the Charity Fundraising section - please select our chosen charity the 'Lord Provost's Charity'
• please click on 'yes I will be a member of a team' and choose 'The City Chambers Champions'
• add your Team Captain as either James Currie or George Young.

The City Chambers Champions are currently aiming for the Mighty Stride which is the ultimate Kiltwalk challenge! They are planning the 9 am start slot from Glasgow's iconic Glasgow Green, finishing in the idyllic surroundings of Balloch, Loch Lomond. Once you have registered, please contact James Currie on Outlook to arrange the meeting point on the day before the event starts (as times are staggered).

James explains: "George and I have always wanted to do the Glasgow Kilt Walk and decided that 2024 was our year - and decided to go big or go home with the 22.6 miles Mighty Stride walk.

"We are hoping to rope in as many colleagues as possible to join us on the day and make it a team event to remember. We also decided upon the Lord Provost's charity as it is close to our hearts as we have seen first-hand how it delivers vital support to vulnerable Glaswegians across the city. 100% of the amount we raise will go direct to the charity to continue the great work they do. Now on to the training....

"If you are unable to take part on the day, feel free to pop down to Glasgow Green to cheer us on as we depart."

Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren said: "Good luck to everyone taking part in the Glasgow Kilt Walk. It's a fun day out and I'm thrilled that staff are signing up to raise funds for my Lord Provost's Charity Funds which help people in crisis including children, senior citizens and other vulnerable people. Fingers crossed for good weather."

7 February 2024 - Get involved this Payroll Giving Month

This month, charities will be celebrating Payroll Giving and the real difference made by these regular donations from people like you!

• Payroll Giving is Impactful - see the difference your donation can make: watch this video
• Payroll Giving is Easy - simple, online form to complete. Your donation is then processed through Payroll.
• You can spend less, and support others - this is a tax-efficient way to give, so for every £1 donated it will cost you 80 pence if you are a standard rate taxpayer or just 60 pence if you are a higher rate taxpayer.

Join over 1 million employees in the UK already donating to over 200,000 charities and help us celebrate Payroll Giving Month by signing up for Payroll Giving at Glasgow City Council (udon8.org)