Starting well in 2024
08 Jan 2024
Start your New Year with a commitment to your wellbeing
This January, we encourage you to start your new year with a commitment to your wellbeing. The New Year presents us with a great opportunity to review our goals, try something new and set a positive tone for the year ahead.
This month, we have a full programme of wellbeing events and activities themed around four key areas of wellbeing including: financial, physical, psychological and social. There are a range of activities including a webinar on dealing with overwhelm, in-person Menopause talks discussing cognitive and psychological impacts with Dr Zoe (GP with a Specialist interest in Menopause Care), learning more about Purple Wave events and how to get involved, wellbeing focused conversations training for line managers and much more. We encourage line managers and leaders to support colleagues in attending events.
January also marks the beginning of our workplace wellbeing training for line managers. We are starting with ‘Managing with Wellbeing in Mind’, a full day training course delivered by external provider We Are Wellbeing. We have courses running from January – December 2024. More detail about the course overview will be shared in due course. For now, please register for a date that works for you. In-person course dates and online training course dates are available.
We have added a new training course to the workplace wellbeing training offer for managers. ‘Stress Management for Managers Workshop’ is focused towards upskilling managers on why stress and wellbeing matter for them and their team and provide a toolkit full of resources to practically support working towards improving these going forward. Find out more and register for an in-person course date or online training course date.
“How we feel at work and about our work plays a big part in our day-to-day wellbeing. While you can focus on improving wellbeing at any time, the start of a new year is a good time to reflect on how you feel and a great opportunity to try something new or restart something you have enjoyed in the past. It might be a daily walk, making time to connect with colleagues, reflecting on your work-life balance, signing up for Purple Wave or attending a wellbeing webinar. We hope the activities planned and information shared over the month support you on your wellbeing journey, laying the foundation for a balanced and fulfilling year.”
Helen Brewis, Head of Colleague Wellbeing and Maizy Jenner, Colleague Wellbeing Manager
Resources for Financial Wellbeing Week
Starting the campaign Monday, 8 January, we are focusing on financial wellbeing. Financial pressures have continued to increase because of the cost-of-living crisis. When we are worrying about money, this can have an impact on our mental health. We can help support ourselves by learning more about practical solutions to help us manage money and what services to reach out to if we are struggling. Take some time this week to look at the resources below:
- The Open University joined forces with MoneySavingExpert (MSE) to produce a free course to give you the skills and knowledge to master your finances. Sign up and find out more;
- The Money Charity have produced a detailed ‘Money Manual’ which is packed full of essential guidance to help you manage your money well.
- Look back at our previous news article Talk Money Week November 2023 for information on budgeting, tips on how to talk about money and staff benefit available;
- Check out the financial wellbeing StaffNet pages.
Wellbeing Events
Wednesday, 17 January
Get involved: Purple Wave Bicentenary information webinar
Monday, 22 January
Dealing with Overwhelm Webinar, 12:30 – 13:30pm.
Thursday, 25 January
In person Menopause Talks with Dr Zoe Hodson, 10:30 -11:30am OR 13:00 – 14:00pm.
Kick start your jogging /running in prep for the purple wave events – Meet every Tuesday at 12.10 Denmark road
Tuesday, 30 January
Wellbeing Conversations – a workshop for leaders and managers (in person), 13:30 – 16:00pm and Wednesday, 7 February, 9:30 - 12:00pm.
Wednesday 31st January
Active Travel Breakfast Event – Faculty of Humanities Wellbeing Activity (but open to all staff!)
8:30 – 9:30am, Cafe 65, AMBS Ground Floor
If you travel actively to campus (walking, wheeling, cycling, running) meet with colleagues over a free coffee and pastry. They will be holding a raffle prize draw for attendees with prizes including free cycle hire vouchers for the Bee Bike network and free Active Manchester passes for campus exercise classes, as well as some giveaways. Register for this event here.
On Campus Student-Led Health Screening Clinics, multiple dates and locations
As part of the pharmacy undergraduate curriculum, Year 3 pharmacy students run health screening clinics at convenient locations across campus. These clinics are free and open to all staff and students. The health screening check will involve measuring your blood pressure, height and weight. These measurements are then used to find out your heart age using an NHS evidence-based tool and your diabetes risk using the Diabetes UK ' Know Your Risk' tool. The students will then go through these outcomes with you. Find out more here.
Upcoming dates:
Wednesday 7th February 2024 - Wellbeing room G.65 Simon Building
Wednesday 28th February 2024 - MEC 3A.012
Wednesday 10th April 2024 - Wellbeing room G.65 Simon Building
Wednesday 17th April 2-24 - Wellbeing room G.65 Simon Building