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

World Menopause Day – October 18th

World Menopause Day is held every year on the 18th October. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of the menopause and the support options available for improving health and wellbeing.

Over half of the workforce in Gower College Swansea is female so the majority of us will either experience or work or live with someone who is experiencing menopause. Do you know how to support them?

Free Flu Jabs – Get yours now!

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Flu season is upon us – order your FREE flu jab voucher now

Flu is a contagious respiratory illness that can cause symptoms including fever, coughing, chills, body aches and fatigue. Flu season strikes every year, peaking during October – May. The best way to protect yourself and those around you from flu this winter, is to get a flu jab.

To reiterate a few facts about flu:

  1. Flu is contagious before symptoms start
  2. Symptoms can start abruptly, you may be fine one day and bedridden the next
  3. It takes up to 2 weeks for the flu vaccine to take effect as antibodies take this long to fully build up, and you could catch flu in the interim period
  4. The flu vaccine does not cause flu. The majority of flu jabs contain dead or inactivated flu viruses, some people do experience mild flu-like symptoms, but this isn’t flu and these symptoms typically only last one or two days.
  5. Flu can cause life-threatening complications, especially amongst the vulnerable, and thousands die every year in the UK from flu and associated conditions, such as pneumonia.

You can have a free NHS flu vaccine through your GP or local pharmacy if you are aged over 65 years old, have certain medical conditions or are pregnant.

However, Gower College Swansea are pleased to be able to offer free flu jabs to all staff regardless of age, who want to be vaccinated against flu. These vaccines are available at a local Boots pharmacy and at a time to suit you with many Boots stores open 7 days a week including some evenings.

For more information on how to get your free flu jab, please email Lorraine.evans@gcs.ac.uk.

We only have a limited number of vouchers and they will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, so do not delay, get your flu voucher today.