Humanities Wellbeing Bids 2024/25

• Successful Bids 2024
• Entry guidelines
  • Who can enter?
  • What applications will be successful?
  • Award categories
  • How much can I bid for?
  • Are there any expectations of me if I am successful?
  • Entry guidelines
• Entry form (we strongly recommend that all entrants read the entry guidelines before completing the entry form).

Enter now using the Faculty of Humanities Wellbeing Activities Bid for Funding Form 2024-2025.

For any queries, please contact julie.butterworth@manchester.ac.uk or lynda.rowlinson@manchester.ac.uk. 

Below is a list of Wellbeing Champions within the Faculty of Humanities.

For a full list of Wellbeing Champions within the University, please email: wellbeing@manchester.ac.uk.

• Colleague wellbeing support (22 Aug 2024) - access a range of free wellbeing and mental health support
• The University of Manchester central wellbeing pages
• Disability Advisory and Support Service (DASS)
• Occupational Health Service
• The Robert Darbishire Practice - NHS GP Surgery in Manchester
• University Dental Hospital of Manchester
• UoM Sport
• Counselling and Mental Health Service
• People and Organisational Development

• StaffNet Wellbeing News Messages
• Humanities eNews Wellbeing Messages
  • 1 November 2024
  • 18 October 2024
  • 04 October 2024
  • 20 September 2024
• Staff Wellbeing Champion Bulletins - Maizy Jenner
  • 1 November 2024
  • 16 October 2024
  • 04 October 2024
  • 23 September 2024
• UMSA Wellbeing Champion Bulletins
  • 16 October 2024
  • 07 October 2024
  • 23 September 2024

Language Café Is Back and Now Fortnightly!

Wednesday, 5 March 2025, 12-2pm, 12-2pm

Benugo Café, Simon Building ground floor

Sessions are now being held every two weeks on a Wednesday, so keep an eye out on our Instagram for updates.

As a reminder, Language Café is a relaxed space for anyone who speaks or is learning a language, including English, to come along and practice their speaking and listening skills with fellow learners. Staff and students are all welcome. There’s no obligation to stay for the full session as people are free to come and go any time during the event. There will also be vouchers for a free drink or snack which you can get from the Café to enjoy while you chat!

Wellbeing Choir

UoM Wellbeing Choir 2025

Starts again on Wednesday, 5 February 2025, 1.05-1.55pm.  This is a 12-week block and cost £25 for Staff and Students.  If you can talk, you can sing!  One of the best things you can do for your personal wellbeing is to sing with others!  It improves our sense of happiness and wellbeing.  Come and join us at the Wellbeing Studio G.65, Simon Building.

The Wellbeing Choir mini concert on 17 May 2023 went down well. Watch the video here.

Ping Pong in Ellen Wilkinson and Arthur Lewis Buildings (contact Melanie Canham)

Ping Pong Parlours have been developed with the help of the Wellbeing Fund at the University in the Arthur Lewis Building and Ellen Wilkinson Building enabling the University of Manchester to get a team together made up of Postgraduate students and staff from across the University to publicise the GN Ping Hub in Manchester and to develop table tennis / ping pong in Manchester.

Varsity match at Ping!  Hub a first-class success – Table Tennis England

Manchester University's Varsity Match | GNW Ping Hub | TT Clubs

Postgraduate students and staff have regularly met over the past year.  Once building work in complete in ALB and EWB, it is hoped the Ping Pong Parlous will resume.  Thank you for your patience.

UoM Cultural Institutions

• Manchester Museum
• The Whitworth
• Jodrell Bank
• Martin Harris Centre
• John Rylands Research Institute and Library
• The Royal Northern College of Music
• What’s on at Central Library
• Blackwell's Manchester
• University of Manchester Staff Association (UMSA)
• Manchester Deaf Centre
  • Learn BSL for FREE with Manchester Deaf Centre

• Helping someone in distress (including the crisis pathway)
• Health Hero
  • The HealthHero Assist Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is a confidential and independent counselling and information service. Support is free and confidential.
    
    Call 0800 358 5997 or +44 141 271 7555 (landline alternative for international and / or mobile use) to speak to an advisor.
    
    Lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Calls are confidential –
    Confidentiality may only be broken in a situation where you or someone else is in danger.
• Report and Support – Tackling bullying, harassment or discrimination - If you or someone you know has experienced or witnessed any form of bullying, harassment, discrimination, gender-based violence, hate or micro-aggressions, or have a safeguarding concern, you can report it anonymously or get support from a trained advisor.
• Qwell provides free, safe and anonymous online mental health support whenever you need it. There are no waiting lists for support and no referral needed. Access to these platforms is available instantly 24/7.
• Health Assured App & Helpline
  • The free to call helpline is provided by an independent external provider, Health Assured. It offers access to support from trained counsellors and advisors who are ready to listen and provide practical advice and emotional support on issues.
    
    Call 0800 028 0199 and one of Health Assured’s advisors will answer. You will be asked to confirm our university and what your issue relates to, and then be put through to the right advisor to help. If an appropriate advisor is unavailable or on another call, you can request a call back at a time that suits you. Lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year – you will always be able to speak to someone who can help.

• Wellbeing Champions Awareness template

• Our Wellbeing Commitment

• Humanities Wellbeing Governance Organogram

There are a plethora of activites that our staff can get involved in. Here are some of the most popular ones.

The University of Manchester School Governor Initiative (UMSGI)

As part of the University's widening participation and social responsibility strategy, we already boast one of the UK’s most extensive programmes of work with local state schools and colleges – particularly those in more challenging circumstances.

In accordance with the University’s access agreement with the Office for Students, we deliver a School Governor Initiative that will:

• help staff and alumni to find volunteering placements as governors in local schools through our 2 partner organisations, Governors for Schools and Inspiring Governance;

• provide a network for University staff working as governors to share best practice, support each other and act as positive ambassadors for the University’s work with schools and colleges.

Watch our video to find out more about the role of a school governor.

Wellbeing Champions | Staff wellbeing | StaffNet | The University of Manchester

A number of our colleagues volunteer their time as Wellbeing Champions across the University. They help signpost employees to the University wellbeing services, national health and wellbeing days, University wellbeing events and arrange locally based wellbeing events to engage and support staff. They also feedback to the Wellbeing Champions Network so that future initiatives can be developed for the University.

Recent events organised by our champions have included a walking tour of the MECD building, an opportunity to meet Murray the therapy dog (from Manchester Museum) and writing for wellbeing sessions. Additionally, many of our champions work with their teams to embed a culture of wellbeing by getting wellbeing included as a regular item on team meeting agenda. As a group, we connect through our Teams channel where we share information and ideas.

Please read our Wellbeing Champions Guide and our detailed information below. If you would like to become a Wellbeing Champion simply email wellbeing@manchester.ac.uk. Don't forget to seek your line manager's permission in advance.

DSE Assessor

With expert input from Health & Safety Executive’s Health and Safety Laboratory, this course is aimed at staff who are Display Screen Equipment assessors.

At the end of this course, you should feel confident you have the correct knowledge and skills to carry out your role as a DSE assessor.

This elearning course helps assessors to:

• Understand the implementation of the DSE regulations (1992).
• Evaluate hazards and risks related to workstation use.
• Understand the impact of ergonomics and posture on health and the types of musculoskeletal disorders that affect workstation users.
• Understand how to set up a workstation so that the user is able to work more comfortably and without any risk to their health.
• Understand their role as a DSE Assessor.
• Understand how to check the correct set-up of each element of a DSE workstation at a user’s workstation.
• Evaluate DSE assessments and advise staff on improvements to be made.

First Aider

To equip learners with the knowledge and competencies needed to deal with a range of workplace emergency first aid situations.

• Learners will be able to demonstrate the practical administration of safe, prompt, effective first aid in emergency situations.
• Understand the role of a first aider.

Successful learners receive an Emergency First Aid at Work Certificate, valid for three years. To maintain the qualification the training must be retaken within 3 months before the certificate expires.

This qualification is suitable for those providing emergency first aid in higher hazard areas as well as those working in lower hazard, e.g. Professional Services areas and / or with small numbers of people.

Fire Evacuation Marshal

This course combines TLCF100 Fire Safety and TLCF100E Fire Evacuation. It is particularly useful for staff who are supervising / teaching and who are on campus when there are fewer Fire Evacuation Marshals available, such as out of hours. You must complete both parts of the training and associated assessments to successfully complete the course.

Course aims:

• Increase awareness of fire hazards and their mitigation.
• Know how the risk of fire is controlled in the workplace to prevent injury.
• Know what to do in an emergency.
• Know the role and purpose of a Fire Evacuation Marshal (FEM).
• Know the key stages of an evacuation and how to respond.

Purple Turtles

The Purple Turtles seek a community actively participating in UoM sports events, emphasising inclusivity for all abilities. Central to their mission is championing physical activity for overall wellbeing, and recognising the unique challenges faced by those with disabilities.

The Purple Turtles strive to create a community that comprehends the physical and mental challenges individuals might face in participating in physical activities. By reducing these barriers, they aim to create an environment where everyone, regardless of ability, can join in, experience a sense of achievement, have fun and enjoy an active and inclusive lifestyle.

If you’re interested in joining the Purple Turtles and being part of an inclusive sports community, just fill out the form, and we’ll connect you with this group. Join us in making a change, and let’s reshape the spirit of sports together.

If you’d like to speak to someone at UoM Sport about this initiative, please contact ellen.stephenson@manchester.ac.uk.

UoM Sport | Volunteering and Internships (manchester.ac.uk)

Volunteering in sport helps you to develop new skills and experiences as you support organisations to make a real difference to people’s active lifestyles.

Whitworth Art Gallery

Volunteers are at the heart of the Whitworth. We have volunteers who contribute and learn across a variety of roles at the gallery, from textile care, conservation and art gardening to digitising our collection and cataloguing our library. Assist in the delivery of workshops and exhibitions, volunteer with your family, help out with large-scale events and more! We hope to make each opportunity meaningful, no matter your background or prior experience.

Manchester Museum

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the museum. Our fantastic team of over 100 volunteers share their knowledge and enthusiasm with visitors and contribute key skills across the whole of the Museum. We offer a range of opportunities to get up close to objects, support the care and conservation of our collections and connect programmes to diverse audiences.

We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and aim to provide rewarding and enriching experiences for all. We offer flexible commitment and our roles are valued across the organisation.

Here are some organisations local to the University that staff can volunteer with.

Booth Centre

Volunteers are at the heart of the Booth Centre and are truly vital to the services we offer. Thank you for taking the time to check out our volunteering opportunities. Volunteer roles include Activity support, admin, and kitchen/ café support.

Depaul UK (youth homeless charity UK)

As a homeless charity volunteers are essential to our work. With your help, we can do more. Your skills and experience could make a real difference in our homeless volunteering work. Volunteers are crucial to our work here at Depaul UK.

Amazing Nightstop hosts, drivers and chaperones keep people safe and off the streets every night. Mentors support the people we help to achieve and thrive – and we’ve got lots more roles besides.

Emmeline's Pantry

At Emmeline’s Pantry we are passionate about people making their own choices and we never discriminate against need.

Emmeline’s Pantry is led by a dedicated group of women and supporters who started out in a hallway, providing clothes to women. We are constantly expanding and nearly ten years on our foodbank now provide food, clothes, toiletries and baby items to women in need and their families.

All our stock is donated or purchased with donations. All surplus donations are recycled or used for income generation. All the money and donations we receive go directly towards our service to ensure women and their families receive the best possible support.

We have a food pantry service aimed at helping women and families that may be struggling to feed or clothe everyone with the rising costs of living and effects of benefit cuts. This is open to all women across Manchester who, for a donation, can access the service either weekly or monthly depending on need. This is accessed by referral only.

Hulme Community Garden Centre

Our mission is to bring the local community together through gardening. Up to 50 volunteers contribute to HCGC each week from a wide range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, from the surrounding area and from further afield. Our aim is to develop and share information about horticulture and environmental issues.

Volunteering with HCGC is a great way to develop your skills, experience and learn about how a community garden centre operates. It also offers opportunity to form new friendships.

Manchester Christmas Dinners

The Christmas Dinner is an annual Christmas Day Dinner and get together for care leavers aged between 18 and 25. Young people who would otherwise be alone on Christmas Day.

There’s lots of information about The Christmas Dinner on this website which will give you an understanding of their history, what it feels like to be a volunteer or helper and most importantly the difference that they make to care leavers.

Mustard Tree

Do you have a hobby or interest that you’d like to share? Do you have experiences and skills that could help people rediscover their confidence and reignite their potential? If you want to help us to provide services and create opportunities for the people across Greater Manchester, then becoming a ‘Friend Of’ may just be the thing for you!

Smart Works Manchester

We are a UK charity that exists to give women the confidence they need to reach their full potential, secure employment and change the trajectory of their lives.

We believe that it can be as rewarding for the volunteers as it is for the clients, to be involved in an organisation that promotes self-belief, confidence and empowerment to women.  

There are a number of different roles for volunteers to consider. We’re currently only recruiting for Wardrobe (both Centres) and Community Engagement (both centres) Volunteers. All other applications (stylist/coach/admin) are on hold. Please contact the team if you have any questions 0161 974 0669.

Wood Street Mission

Wood Street Mission is a children’s charity helping children and families living on a low income in Manchester and Salford.

We provide practical help to help meet children’s day-to-day needs and improve their life chances. Through Family Basics we provide struggling families with children’s clothes, bedding and baby equipment, and toys and books which are important for children’s wellbeing and development.

We promote engagement in education by helping families with the costs of going to school through SmartStart and run holiday Book Clubs to promote reading and improve children’s literacy. We also provide toys for children to have presents on Christmas Day.

We also raise awareness about child poverty through our communications, holding events and giving talks at schools, businesses and groups.

We help thousands of children and their families every year, and all our services are free for families to access on referral.

As an independent charity we rely on our supporters to raise and donate funds and items, and to raise awareness of our work. We have hundreds of volunteers helping us each year, who are essential to our work.

Z-Arts Children's Library Volunteers

Our friends at Z-arts are looking for volunteers at their fabulous new Children’s Library. If you can commit a small amount of time each week, enjoy working with children and are enthusiastic about reading, books, stories and creativity then this could be the volunteering opportunity for you.

Manchester Volunteer Inspire Programme (MCRVIP)

Connecting volunteers with exciting opportunities in Manchester.