Monday, 3 – Monday, 31 March

 

March is Prostate Cancer Awareness month.

 

March the Month is a virtual step challenge to encourage us to get active and beat prostate cancer.

 

Join us by forming a team within your department and race other teams to reach Edinburgh, 425 miles away, by the end of March.

 

All you have to do is ……

 

  • Form a team of up to 6 within your department (Team name must be your department, eg HR 1, HR 2 etc)
  • Choose a Team Leader who will be Admin for your Team
  • Everyone download the app, with the link/QR code below, register and sync your fitbit, phone or garmin.
  • And then…. WALK… All steps count…. the ones around campus, on your daily dog walk, whilst shopping, or hiking up Pen y Fan on the weekend. Your steps will sync within the app and you will be able to track your Teams progress and see how well other Teams are doing

 

Every team that reaches Edinburgh will win a prize!

Link HERE

COMING SOON….

 

March is Prostate Cancer Awareness month.

 

This year Prostate Cancer UK are running a step challenge to encourage everyone to keep active and beat prostate cancer.

 

To mark Prostate Cancer Awareness month, GCS will be running our own inhouse March the Month virtual step challenge and staff are encouraged to form a team within your department and walk collectively and virtually all the way to Edinburgh, a distance of 425 miles, by the end of March.

 

Everyone who reaches Edinburgh will win a prize!

 

More details to follow……

Money and Pensions Webinar on Financial Wellbeing 

Thursday, 13 February, 12.30 pm – recording link

GCS were pleased to liaise with the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) to deliver a webinar on the service they provide, and to advise on all things money.

 

In this session, Lawrence Davies, Partnerships Manager for Wales at the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS), provided an overview of their free consumer MoneyHelper platform and the various tools and calculators staff can use to boost their financial wellbeing. Lawrence also gave a briefing on pensions and the services that MoneyHelper has to offer to help staff plan for the future.

 

MaPS are an independant and impartial organisation set up by the Government and funded by levies from the financial services industry. They give FREE unbiased money and pensions guidance to help people make informed choices and their vision is that everyone makes the most of their money and pensions. Visit their website to find out more https://maps.org.uk/en

 

In addition, MaPS has a consumer brand “Money Helper” which has relevant tools, guides, calculators and information for the public on everything from pocket money to pensions. To find out more visit https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en

 

With people grappling with ongoing cost-of-living pressures, it is no surprise that over half of UK adults don’t feel confident in making decisions about financial products and services. Therefore, talking about money has never been so important. Did you know that:

 

  • Around 13% of UK adults (approximately 6.8 million people) are struggling to pay for essential costs like rent and council tax (Citizens Advice Bureau, 2025)
  • 62% of UK adults have financial worries, especially among younger adults (Schroders Personal Wealth, 2025)
  • 79% of those with financial concerns experience impacts on mental wellbeing (Schroders Personal Wealth, 2025)

 

So let’s all start talking about money and build money conversations into our everyday lives. This will help build financial confidence and resilience to face income shocks, life events and whatever life throws at us.

 

To view a recording of the session, please click here HERE

Thursday is Time to Talk Day, the nations biggest mental health conversation. So take some time to join your colleagues in a walk around your campus, have a cuppa and cake or join the online mental health based quiz with the chance to win a prize! Whatever you do, try to come together with colleagues, friends and families to talk, listen and change lives.

The Orchard Project will be running a series of sessions over the coming months to give staff the opportunity to learn more about Orchard planting and restoration.

Details of this weeks session:

  • Learn how to espalier fruit bushes and master pruning techniques.
  • Run by Witchhazel, our local expert from The Orchard Project Swansea.
  • Wednesday 15 January 2025 at 15:30 – 17:00
  • Green Hwb, Hill House

 

Christmas is coming to GCS!

We are pleased to release the first communications about what is coming on Christmas Wellbeing Fest day on Thursday 19 December.

There are a wide range of activities planned for this year including hot pod yoga, nordic walking, wreath making, cold water dipping, board game cafes and PSA testing for men.

Some activities are booked up early so please keep an eye out for further details on when the booking system is open to make a booking.

More info to follow…..

The Orchard Project will be running a series of sessions over the coming months to give staff the opportunity to learn more about Orchard planting and restoration.

The first session is taking place on Tuesday 12 November at 15:30 – 17:00 at the Green Hwb, Hill House. You can book your place on the session through the Booking System.

The session will be run by Witchhazel, our local expert from The Orchard Project, Swansea.

The College is  inviting colleagues to come along to practice your Welsh skills across campuses on October 15 with colleagues over a cake. You can learn more about Welsh opportunities, lessons, resources and Apps. The sessions are taking place at 11.30 – 13.30 at the following locations:

  • Gorseinon – common room
  • Tycoch – Atrium
  • Llwyn y Bryn – Cafe
  • Jubilee Court – Cafe

This program is tailored for women embracing the transformative journey of menopause. It combines expert insights, strategic advice, and a dynamic 12-week strength training regimen to rejuvenate body and mind.

Menopause is more than the end of menstruation; it’s a profound change impacting your overall health. Our mission is to inspire this natural life stage, dispel myths, and offer empowering strategies to enhance well-being.

We focus on nutrition, emphasising Mediterranean and high-fibre foods that nourish your body. We also include essential supplements to support bone health and overall vitality and Self-Care Habits promoting long-term wellness.

At the heart of our program is a comprehensive strength training plan designed to maintain muscle and support metabolism, crucial during and after menopause.

Follow the link for access:

 

GCS The Menopause Power Program

 

 

GCS are pleased to hold our 2nd Golf Society Day at Fairwood Golf course on Thursday 28 March. Meet at Fairwood at 1.00pm for 1.30pm tee off  followed by a meal after the game.

Staff are required to contribute £20 and the full details on how to pay will be sent to you once you have registered your interest in a place.

Please book your place here System Archebu Lles / Wellbeing Booking System