GCS Step Challenge is back!

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Gather a group of up to 6 colleagues and set out to explore the incredible landscapes of Wales. With 829 miles of scenic routes and 56 historic castles scattered across mountains, valleys, and coastlines, this is your chance to experience the country’s rich heritage—one step at a time.

The path is long, but the rewards are worth it. So, lace up your shoes, rally your team, and join the GCS Step Challenge. Wales is waiting—and your journey starts with a single step on Monday 22 September 2025 until Monday 20 October 2025.

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, (link 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

https://gcsstepchallenge.bigteamchallenge.com

 

Guided Bat Walk

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Staff are invited to join Gower College, The Orchard Project and West Glamorgan Bat Group for an evening to locate and identify any bats around the Hill House grounds.

The Bat Walk is starting from The Green Hwb, Tycoch, SA2 0FD on Tuesday 23 September and will run from 6.30 – 8.30pm. Please bring a torch and wear appropriate clothing for the weather. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information, please email witchhazel@theorchardproject.org.uk

 

 

Coming soon – GCS Step Challenge 2025!

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Following on from the success of our Step challenge in March, we are pleased to announce that a new challenge will be launching shortly. So brush your trainers off, start forming your team and watch this space for more information…..

Pensions Awareness Week -15-19 September

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Pensions Awareness Week

15-19 September 2025

Online Webinars

The City & County of Swansea Pension Fund will be providing webinars for members of the Local Government Pension Scheme. Three different sessions will be held during the week.

LGPS General Overview

For members currently paying into the LGPS, and employees who are thinking of joining. This is a broad overview of the pension scheme, helping you understand the benefits, costs, paying extra and plan for your financial future.

LGPS Retirement Planning

Information on how the pension is calculated, career average and final salary benefits, retirement options, paying extra and tax.

How To…

Register and use My Pension Online

Understand your annual benefit statement

Wellbeing Fest – week 6 release

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Also confirmed for Staff Wellbeing Fest on Thursday 3 July are

  • Aromotherapy sessions
  • Make up tutorials
  • Visit by Health Assured to give you all the information on the EAP and Wisdom app
  • Escape room
  • Yoga

Trained Fruit Pruning Session

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Do you want to learn the principles of training fruit trees, including when and how to prune?

Orchard Project are holding a practice pruning session on 4 young espalier trees on the beautiful grounds of Hill House.

The session is taking place on Wednesday 11 June at 16:00 – 17:30 and to book a place, please visit the Wellbeing Booking System.

Week 5 – More Wellbeing sessions added!

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FE Multisport Duathlon event

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GCS took part in the fourth FE Multisport Duathlon at Pembrey Country Park on 14 May. The event is part of the Colleges Wales FE Multisport initiative, offering an opportunity for learners and staff in further education to participate in competitive and active events at a range of levels.

Participants range from Independent Learning Skills (ILS) learners enjoying a group activity challenge for the first time through to learners and staff competing at elite level. With over 40% of participants having additional learning needs, the Duathlon provides a fully inclusive approach to further education sport.

This year 36 staff entered the Duathlon, and in the afternoon competitive event, Sion Cairns, Sport & Public Services, took 2nd place with Gerard Morgan, Engineering, in 3rd place. The first lady to cross the line was Laura Borelli, Lecturer, who came out of maternity leave to enter, and Sherelle Jermin, Work Placement Officer, in 2nd place.

The weather was great with lots of sunshine, and feedback from staff was very positive including “Absolutely fantastic day” “Thank you, I loved it” “Awesome day, my tutor group had an epic time too”. Congratulations to all who entered or cheered on and hope to see even more staff and learners at next year’s event.

Men’s Mental Health

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The College recently delivered a presentation to the Built environment highlighting the crisis in men’s health, particularly in mental health.

Men are less likely to seek help for health and mental health issues and 75% – 80% of all deaths by suicide are male.

ManHealth is a voluntary sector organisation that was established to address the crisis in men’s health and enable men to find or change direction in their lives by providing them with tools to thrive in their lives and become the best version of themselves. They do this using a proactive approach through support, collaboration, education, advocacy and accountability.

In 2024 ManHealth supported over 5,100 men and provided over 10,200 hours of free peer support. Whilst the organisation is primarily focused on supporting men and their health, the attached presentation contains information and advice that can be applied to everyone, regardless of gender.

Gower College – mens Mental Health

Wellbeing Day 3 July – More activities confirmed!

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