Time to Talk Day – Thursday, 2 February 2023

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As an employer who has signed up to “Time to Change Wales”, the College is once again proud to be supporting Time to Talk Day, which is taking place on Thursday, 2 February.

Time to Talk Day is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation.  It’s a day for friends, colleagues and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives.

We know that the more conversations we have, the better life is for everyone.  Talking about mental health isn’t always easy, but a conversation has the power to change lives.

There will be pop up cafes with board games on all College sites throughout the day, so drop in for a cuppa and a chat.

 

  • Tycoch – Staff Area, Café Metro – 1.30 pm – 4.30 pm
  • Gorseinon – Costa Coffee Shop – 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
  • Llwyn-y-Bryn – Common Room – 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
  • Jubilee Court – Bruce Fellowes’ Office – 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
  • Kingsway – Second Floor, Staff Area – 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
  • Sketty Hall – Patti Room – 10.00 am – 4.00 pm

 

 

Menovest comes to GCS

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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.

Christmas Wellbeing Day 2022

Just before the Christmas break, Gower College Swansea held a dedicated Staff Wellbeing Day  with over 400 staff across all campuses enjoying free activities which included bingo, quizzes, board game café and one-to-one experiences and social activities, including:

Cold water therapy – Brave staff headed to Caswell Bay for a dip in the sea and were rewarded with a hot drink and bacon roll after they had dried off.

Pet therapy – Noah, the Romanian rescue dog from Cariad Pet Therapy, greeted our staff with a wagging tail.

Massages – Indian head massages and chair massages were on offer across our campuses, allowing staff to fully relax and unwind.

Dodgeball tournament – Teams of 5 staff each pitched against each other in a knockout dodgeball tournament.

GCS Owls Formula 1 racing simulation competition – Following the launch of the new GCS Owls F1 Staff Wellbeing League, staff were able to try out their racing skills with prizes up for grabs.

Alongside Wellbeing Days, the College runs weekly wellbeing activities and all wellbeing information can be found at our new Wellbeing Portal

Christmas Wellbeing Day 2022 – Thursday 22 December

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We are excited and very pleased to enclose full details of the December Wellbeing Day, which is taking place on Thursday, 22 December.

 

An overview of the day is detailed below, but please click here to go to the the full programme with all of the information of what is on offer and how you can get involved, or alternatively scan the QR code.

                               

Wellbeing Roadshow – LYB – 6th December

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Thank you to everyone who came along to see Lorraine Evans, Wellbeing Advisor, and Christian Regis, Staff Fitness Coach in Llwyn-y-Bryn canteen Tuesday 6th December from 9am – 12pm.  We had some feedback on initiatives for LYB and will be sharing more information on this on Teams shortly…

Ironman Wales – September 3rd 2023

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GCS are pleased to support a team of 10 for entry into Ironman Wales at Tenby on September 3rd 2021. The team must complete a 2.4 mile sunrise swim, 112 mile bicycle course with stunning scenery along the Pembrokeshire coastline, and a marathon 26.22 mile run though Tenby town-centre within strict timelines to be considered an Ironman. It is widely considered one of the most difficult one-day sporting events in the world. The team consists of:

  • Darren Hall, Lecturer Mechanical Engineering
  • Wayne Price, Lecturer Fitness & Nutrition
  • Tracy Drummond-Gover – Executive Assistant to the Principal & Executive Support Manager
  • Christian Regis – Staff Fitness Coach
  • Joshua Jordan – Learner Engagement & Personal Development Lead
  • Carl Phillips – Lecturer Welding
  • Laura Thomas – Lecturer Schools Programme
  • Mike Glover – Director of Finance
  • Tim Buckley – Lecturer Sport
  • Lee Hopkins – CL  Public Services

 

To get involved in training or supporting the GCS team, please contact Christian.Regis@gcs.ac.uk

 

 

Talk Money Week Financial Wellbeing webinar

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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

 

 

Neath Valley Triathlon 2022

Following on the heels of a successful Swansea 10k, the GCS Fit Club showed no sign of slowing down as it was on to the Neath Valley Triathlon in Glynneath.

With a 400m pool swim, 22k bike and 3k run, this attracted a few first timers as well as more experienced athletes looking to impress with some fast times.

To help our athletes prepare, the GCS Fit Club arranged for a 10 week swimming program held in the National Pool, and led buy our very own Daniel Jones who coached everyone to be race ready. (Note: due to the popularity these sessions, they continue to run, and they are not just for triathletes, but for everyone wanting to get fit, improve their water confidence or just enjoy the stress busting effects that swimming can give – make sure to join the Fit Club to learn more and book on).

As the day approached, there was fear that on the road conditions would be tough with an expected storm, but Thor was kind and everyone enjoyed racing on a dry course.

The event was organised and expertly run by Celtic Tri and everyone got round safely (with the exception of some dancing with the tarmac in transition, names won’t be mentioned here).

Stand out performance has to be that of Michelle Williams, who despite a week before had never cycled that distance before alone, blazed all three disciplines to complete her first ever triathlon – there is no doubt this will be the first of many triumphs.

With that said, we look forward to seeing some re-entries and more newbies for next year. Make sure you have joined the GCS Fit Club on teams to keep up to date or contact Christian.regis@gcs.ac.uk for more info.

RESULTS

Name Time
Tim Buckley 01:06:27
Wayne Price 01:07:23
Carl Phillips 01:09:01
Joshua Jordan 01:10:32
Scott Evans 01:12:54
Jessica O’Driscoll 01:15:13
Matthew Miller 01:18:07
Michael Oakley 01:18:07
Tracy Drummond-Govier 01:18:52
Laura Thomas Borrelli 01:20:12
Michael Glover 01:25:05
Jonathon Parker 01:27:25
Sue Parsons 01:27:25
Mealnie Earles 01:38:01
Michelle Williams 02:13:41

 

 

Swansea 10k 2022

GCS were well represented at this year’s Swansea 10k, joining thousands of other runners in perfect running conditions on the fast and flat course along mumbles road.

Everyone was encouraged on by the hundreds (maybe thousands) of spectators along the course during the event. It was also hugely motivating to hear cries of ‘GO GCS’ from those non-running staff who came down to support their colleagues and friends – your rallying cheers were heard, and motivated everyone to the finish line.

It was awesome and inspiring to see everyone finish, and there was quite a few who went under the hour, including a sub 40 minute by Scott Evans. Who despite completing an hour’s training in the national pool earlier that morning, put in a blinding run, and no doubt will be good preparation for the Neath Valley Triathlon, which is next on the GCS race calendar.

Following the event there has been much talk of next year, including from those who feel inspired after seeing their colleagues compete, and the GCS Fit Club look forward to getting everyone’s entries in ready for the 17th September 2023.

RESULTS

First Name Last Name Time
Scott Evans 00:39:21
Christian Regis 00:42:40
carl Phillips 00:47:50
Michael Glover 00:54:02
Steve Glass 00:54:02
Rachel Thomas 00:54:04
Andrew Pullin 00:54:16
tracy drummond-govier 00:56:24
lucy Hartnoll 00:56:34
Darren Hall 00:59:54
James Brice 01:01:03
Nicole Lee 01:03:39
daniel Jones 01:04:15
Melanie Earles 01:09:31
Karen Flannery 01:10:18
Jody Ralph 01:10:19
Nicola Prosser 01:11:53
Jodi Jones 01:19:28
Louise Dempster 01:43:53

Physio consultations coming soon…

UNFORTUNATELY THIS SERVICE IS NOT AVAILABLE CURRENTLY, WE HOPE TO RESUME THESE SESSIONS IN EARLY 2023

The Wellbeing Through Work physiotherapist can offer a free, clinic based service that may include a 30-45 minute Initial Physiotherapy Assessment for any staff experiencing muscle and joint pain. Following the assessment, individuals may be offered a range of interventions, such as a tailored exercise programme, advice and/or onward referral to other services.

For more information and to book an appointment please email lorraine.evans@gcs.ac.uk