Battle of the Staffrooms – 26th April 2023

,

Our Business Students are organising an event and invite all staff to join them at PlayZone Llansamlet for an evening of fun and games and to release your inner child!

Staff are invited to enter a team of 5 to compete against other staffrooms, areas or work friends. The evening will consist of free play, relay competitions with bonus points to those that do the RED slide. There will also be a pub style quiz and raffle with prizes including signed Swansea City jerseys and  football tops.

Tickets are £10 per person (ask your LAM if they will contribute towards this) and all profits go towards the Kenya Project. There will be hot and cold drinks and snacks available to purchase.

If you have a team who wants to enter and win the prestigious trophy for the Battle of the Staffrooms, you can contact Alison.harris@gcs.ac.uk for more info and to purchase tickets.

Training for older age

,

Training when you are 80 Years Old? It’s never too late to start.

“Exercise in Octogenarians: How Much Is Too Little?”

Individuals who have engaged in aerobic and resistance exercise for most of their adult lives have a substantially larger physical capacity and enhanced physiological function in many organ systems compared to their untrained or inactive counterparts (68–77). Typical age-related impairments in physical and physiological function are either forestalled or greatly diminished in highly trained seniors.

Arbab-Zadeh et al. found that carefully screened older adults (average age 70 years) who had performed nearly daily vigorous aerobic exercise training and competed regularly in national and regional endurance competitions for at least 25 years were indistinguishable in CRF and cardiac compliance from untrained adults on average 4 decades younger

A recent review took a minimal-dose approach and reported that performing resistance exercise for at least 2 days weekly for 60 min or less appears to be appropriate for improving muscular function in older adults

Once strength and muscle mass gains are achieved, a single weekly maintenance resistance exercise session of a sufficient volume and intensity appears to be effective in preserving skeletal muscle mass and strength in older adults

Thus, the minimal effective dose for increasing and then preserving muscle mass in older adults through resistance training is likely a very manageable exercise dose.

https://www.annualreviews.org/…/annurev-med-070119-115343

 

This is not my post, but I thought I would share as more and more evidence is becoming available that highlights that fitness, especially strength training, is very beneficial for leading healthy and independent lives into older age. Although it is never to late to start, this report shows that the sooner we do start has an increased benefit into older age.

If you want to know where to start, then book a 1-1 through the wellbeing portal or message me at christian.regis@gcs.ac.uk

Hopefully see you in the gym,

 

Chris.

Menopause Friendly Accreditation

, ,

GCS are pleased to be awarded The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, established by Henpicked: Menopause In The Workplace, www.menopausefriendly.co.uk (www.menopausefriendly.co.uk), an award that recognises high standards and proven practices that embrace menopause in the workplace.

The Menopause Friendly Accreditation is industry-recognised and the only accreditation that sets clear standards which must be met. As such, it is truly meaningful and considered by many as a mark of excellence for menopause in the workplace.

In order to achieve The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, employers are assessed by an Independent Panel and must demonstrate evidence of their effectiveness in six key areas, namely: culture, policies and practices, training, engagement, facilities and evaluation.

If you are struggling with menopause or want to find out more about what support the College can offer you, please email lorraine.evans@gcs.ac.uk

Coming soon….Cash Plan Webinar 2 March 2023

,

Health Shield health cash plan is a type of health insurance where you can claim up to 100% money back for everyday healthcare costs such as dental, optical or combined physio. So, whether you’re in need of a check-up or treatment, with a health cash plan there’s no need to wait or go without because your budget’s a bit tight this month. You can afford to spend on the things that keep you in the best of health, and then simply claim money back.

Your Health Shield representative, Tracey Oldham-Duparcq, will be holding a virtual presentation with more information and to answer any questions on:

  • Thursday 2nd March at 12.00pm and 4.00pm.

For information on how to join the webinar, please contact wellbeing@gowercollegeswansea.ac.uk   

 

 

7 Benefits of Strength Training

, , ,

7 Benefits of Strength Training

Strength training has numerous benefits, both physically and mentally. Some of the best benefits include:

  1. Improved muscle strength and endurance: Regular strength training can help increase muscle strength and endurance, which can improve overall physical function, performance and body shape.
  2. Better bone health: Strength training can help improve bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis plus other bone-related conditions., especially in our later years – there is no age limit to when to start strength training.
  3. Increased metabolism: Strength training can boost your metabolism, allowing you to burn more calories even when you’re at rest – helping with that body shape.
  4. Improved balance and coordination: Strength training can help improve balance and coordination, reducing the risk of falls and injuries.
  5. Better posture: Strength training can help correct muscle imbalances and improve posture, reducing the risk of pain and injury.
  6. Reduced risk of chronic disease: Strength training has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Research is continuing to demonstrate that strength training is beneficial to warding against many poor health conditions.
  7. Mental health benefits: Strength training can also have a positive impact on mental health, helping to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. And there is no better feeling when you leave the weights room knowing you just smashed it (not literally of course – PLEASE tidy up and put your weights away).

Overall, strength training is an effective way to improve physical and mental health, enhance athletic performance, and reduce the risk of injury and disease.

If you are new to strength training, or you feel you could do with a revamp of an old program, then book into a Fitness 1-1 via the wellbeing portal where you can discuss where to start. Plus get some coaching so you can hit the gym clued up and ready to rock the metal – I’m actually talking about lifting of course, but I am also very supportive of listening to Heavy Metal whilst Lifting Heavy Metal – it just makes sense.

Chris (Staff Fitness Coach)

28 Day Lean Body Challenge

, ,

Next month Christian Regis will be running a 28 Day Lean Body Challenge – see here  to get an Idea of what to expect.

So the question he has for you is…do you want in? If you do, get in touch with Christian and he will add you to the Lean Body Challenge group, where all the excitement will happen.

So…if you are ready to make some significant changes to your nutrition and lifestyle…Ready to be Held to account (this won’t be a sit and observe exercise, but an actual ‘Lets Get it Done’)…and READY to achieve some meaningful results, then don’t hesitate to sign up.

Email christian.regis@gcs.ac.uk to be added to the Teams group

Menovest comes to GCS

, ,

Staff and students at Gower College Swansea were encouraged to get a little hot under the collar when they had an opportunity to try out a MenovestTM, a menopause training tool worn by celebrities, MP’s and broadcasters to raise awareness of menopause and what it feels like when experiencing a “hot flush”. Please visit You Tube  to find out more.

The vest was developed by Over The Bloody Moon, and brought to us by Amanda Lee from Theramex, and among the volunteers were College Principal Mark Jones, Director of Skills and Business Development Paul Kift, Catering Manager Neil Baker, Learning Area Manager Chris Williams, Library Manager Mark Ludlam, plus lecturers and students from Sport and Engineering.

Many of the volunteers commented that they found the experience a little uncomfortable after only a few minutes, so will now have more empathy and a better understanding of what it can be like to experience these symptoms whilst going about everyday routines at home or at work.

Gower College Swansea has undertaken a range of menopause related activities for staff in recent years including regular Menopause Cafes, opportunities to meet with menopause specialists and seminars on how to manage menopause in the workplace.

Gower College Swansea staff and students wearing the Theramex Menopause vest to simulate the symptoms of the menopause.
Pictured… Principle Mark Jones.
 
Copyright © 2023 by Adrian White
Photography, all rights reserved.
For permission to publish – contact me
via www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk
Please respect copyright laws.

     

Gower College Swansea staff and students wearing the Theramex Menopause vest to simulate the symptoms of the menopause.
Pictured… Learning Resources Manager Mark Ludlam.
 
Copyright © 2023 by Adrian White
Photography, all rights reserved.
For permission to publish – contact me
via www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk
Please respect copyright laws.

Gower College Swansea staff and students wearing the Theramex Menopause vest to simulate the symptoms of the menopause.
Pictured… Protective Services staff Chris Williams and Rob Evans.
 
Copyright © 2023 by Adrian White
Photography, all rights reserved.
For permission to publish – contact me
via www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk
Please respect copyright laws.

Gower College Swansea staff and students wearing the Theramex Menopause vest to simulate the symptoms of the menopause.
Pictured… Paul Kift Director of Business Skills Development.
 
Copyright © 2023 by Adrian White
Photography, all rights reserved.
For permission to publish – contact me
via www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk
Please respect copyright laws.

Skin Cancer Screening Service – Mole or Melanoma?

,

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer and some people are more at risk than others. 90% of skin cancers in the UK are linked to excessive sun exposure to sunlight. However it is the only cancer that you can see! Be vigilant and check your moles and know about the changes to be aware of that could save your life, see below tips:

  • A – Assymetry – One half of a mole does not match the other
  • B – Border – The edges are irregular or jagged
  • C – Colour – The mole is not exactly coloured and may be uneven/patchy: shades of black, white, grey, brown or pink or contain two or more colours
  • D – Diameter – The mole is usually larger than 6mm across
  • E – Evolving – The mole is changing in size, shape or colour.

Following the success of our collaboration with Screen Cancer UK on December Wellbeing Day when we offered appointments to get your moles checked out, we are pleased to announce that we have secured further private appointments to offer to all staff. This service is for staff who have concerns relating to existing moles, changes to moles or new moles/lesions. Images are taken of moles and other skin lesions and they are sent to Skin Cancer UK’s in-house specialist dermatologists and results are received usually within a week.

These sessions are now fully booked.

 

Hypnotherapy & Modern Mindfulness with Kev Webster

,

Would you like to change something about your life? Learn how to relax easily, overcome habits, deal with anxiety or maybe you have trouble sleeping.

Hypnotherapist and Modern Mindfulness Practitioner Kev Webster hosts one-hour evening online hypnotherapy sessions on different topics. If you missed these sessions, you can access a sound recording of these sessions here:

Talk Money Week Financial Wellbeing webinar

,

Even with an increase in cost of living-related news, we know it can be hard to talk about money. GCS are pleased to liaise with the Money & Pensions service to deliver a webinar aimed at encouraging people to open up about their finances and get support for money worries, pension advice and all other things money. Research shows that people who talk about money:

  • make better and less risky financial decisions
  • have stronger personal relationships
  • help their children form good lifetime money habits
  • feel less stressed or anxious and more in control.

To view the webinar, please click Money & Pensions Service webinar