Staff benefits update

26 May 2021

There are so many benefits you can access to support your wellbeing.

Be Active

There are over 28 Zoom sessions a week with a variety of classes for all levels, whether you want to de- stress or do a hard workout there is something for everyone. The sessions are really good value at as little as £14.00 for a 7 week block. For more information and to download the Be Active schedule please click here

Staff support networks

The University has a number of staff network groups which are co-ordinated by the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team. One of these is the Staff Network Group for people with caring responsibilities. A carer is someone who provides unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who has a disability, mental or physical illness, substance misuse issue, or who needs extra help as they grow older. The group meets informally and people can share their experiences as well as providing information, support and suggestions to each other.  The support group is also a way to feed information into University policies and guidance relating to caring. Remember that all our staff network groups are open to anyone regardless of any equality group and we hope you find one or more that you can participate in.

Book club

The next meeting of the book club will be Friday 25 June, 12:30 to 1:30pm. This month they will be discussing A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes.

Bone density testing

You can book a bone density test on Monday, 7 June at the Sugden Sports Centre. Tracey from Bone Matters will assess your bone density and fracture risk using a machine called a ‘Quantative Ultrasound Scanner’ or ‘QUS’. The test measures the bone density in your heel, and is very useful for assessing your risk of fracturing (breaking) your legs, arms, hips and wrists – common fracture sites for sufferers of osteoporosis. The machine is safe, painless, and has no side effects and the test costs £35.

Break a world record – join the Worldwide Manchester Run

The University is gathering alumni, students, staff, prospective students and friends to create the largest online run in history on Saturday, 29 May, 12noon (BST). Over 630 people worldwide have already joined up – sign up now to be part of this record-making community.

Manchester Flower Show - Bank Holiday weekend

Manchester’s first public event of the year starts this weekend. From Saturday, 29 May – Sunday 6 June, the Manchester Flower Show is back, and bigger than ever. Across the city centre shop windows, doorways, balconies, public squares, fountains and even statues go green (and red, and pink, and yellow). Come back into town for free floral trails! One of the special gardens celebrates 50 years of St Ann’s Hospice.  

You can support charities like St Ann’s Hospice via the University’s payroll giving scheme. This enables you to give regular monthly donations or one off amounts to your favourite causes. A £10.00 donation would only ‘cost’ a standard rate tax payer £8.00 and a higher rate tax payer just £6.00

Video of the week

While they do not currently have live, in-house events at the Martin Harris Centre, they have collaborated with the Music Department to bring online performances to you. Martin Harris Centre Music Online is available via YouTube. Here is Mariya Dimitrova, Asya Pincheva, and Vanya Dimitrova performing a series of beautiful Bulgarian vocal arrangements