Wellbeing Milestones

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GCS are launching a new initiative to help staff embark on a transformative journey towards improved wellbeing. the aim is for everyone to lead a healthier, happier life beginning with self-care, and we want to reward and recognise your dedication.

Wellness Milestones is designed to motivate and inspire you to improve physical, mental and holistic health and create a healthier version of yourself. Every time you attend a wellbeing session you will collect a “stone” and this will be tracked and enable you to reach milestones where you will receive a reward. You must book through the Wellbeing Booking System for your attendance to be tracked.

We hope to create a community who can connect and share experiences, support one another and build meaningful experiences along the way.

For further information please email Christian Regis or Lorraine Evans

 

discounts for teachers – ITS HERE!

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The College has a new staff benefit through a partnership with Discounts For Teachers, a platform where members can access deals, cashback, vouchers and discounts at up to 1.5k top brands and retailers to help them save money. It is completely FREE to join and use, there are no hidden costs, no catch.

The scheme is currently used by 820k+ members in the education sector and 91% of members say the discounts help them afford a higher quality of life.

To find out more, Sign up for FREE here! or scan the QR code in the poster or contact lorraine.evans@gcs.ac.uk to start making savings on everyday purchases.

Wisdom AI – mental health toolkit

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We have a newly launched offering available to all staff. Health Assured, our Employee Assistance Programme suppliers, has designed a new website, Wisdom AI. When you need answers, you need them fast. So they created Wisdom AI, a pool of mental health knowledge combined of professional counselling expertise and the latest Artificial Intelligence with invaluable contributions from their professional counsellors’. All staff have full access to this revolutionary platform that delivers expert advice in a  few simple clicks.

You can access it here HERE

 

 

TEAM GCS Update – Mumbles Duathlon & Amman Valley Triathlon

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Team GCS Update

Mumbles Duathlon 25th March

As well as being the title sponsor, Gower College were also well represented with competitors from Team GCS, who joined over 170 athletes from all over the UK.

Considering the previous night’s mini storm, the weather wasn’t bad surprisingly when everyone lined up at 8am on Saturday morning. The rain held off, but the wind was still howling which made the bike course especially challenging with some ferocious head and side winds. Not to mention some (literally) chain snapping climbs – bike handling and fitness were very well tested.

Despite the tough course, Team GCS safely made it across the line, and without doubt are looking in fine fettle for the rest of the season.

There were some very wobbly legs at the end, and thankfully Roy Jenkins and his minions were on hand (pun intended!) with some much needed massage.

TEAM GCS Results:

TIME
Christian Regis 01:46:06
Tim Buckley 02:02:27
Scott Evans 02:06:58
Carl Phillips 02:07:31
Jess O’Driscoll 02:10:39
Mike Gover 02:14:58
Laura Borrelli 02:15:47
Joshua Jordan 02:17:53
Ross Pullin 02:21:51
Rachel Jones 02:26:18
Michelle Williams 02:48:06
Matthew Miller 02:55:57

 

Amman Valley Triathlon 2nd April

The weather started out with a chill in the air for registration but quickly turned to almost perfect conditions, with the sun even making a welcome appearance.

The course itself started with a 400m pool swim then a transition to the bike ride, which was mostly flat with a few gentle ups and downs, making for a quick out and back. The running course followed a footpath and had some inclines to push the legs one last time, there were plenty of supporters along the end of the route to push you through to the finish line.

Overall a great event for first-timers and those just starting the 2023 tri season. (report by Rachel Jones, TEAM GCS Athlete)

TEAM GCS Results:

Carl Phillips 01:12:46
Matthew Miller 01:15:47
Laura Borrelli 01:16:11
Michael Glover 01:16:31
Rachel Jones 01:18:05
Ross Pullin 01:18:35

 

Next up for Team GCS in April will be the Merlin Ride and the Gorseinon 10k, where over 30 athletes will be competing. If you are feeling inspired and would like to get in on the action, then contact christain.regis@gcs.ac.uk for more information.

 

 

 

Creative Wellbeing Sessions – LYB

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In response to staff feedback and the Wellbeing Roadshows, on 23 and 30 March the College held some free creative taster sessions at Llwyn y Bryn for staff. Creativity can help reduce stress and improve mental health, being creative may also reduce feelings of anxiety and depression and helps us manage or express our emotions in a positive and productive way. The sessions included:

  • drawing – close up study of a still life and drawing a perspective unique to them
  • pottery – explore the versatility of clay and use different techniques to hand build a ceramic planter
  • glass making – learn how to cut glass and experiment with different materials to create an individual glass item
  • textiles – have the opportunity to recycle an old jumper into a cushion cover or hot water bottle

The sessions were very well received with pottery and glass making being booked up in record time! We are hoping to build on the success of these taster sessions by offering more classes, information on this and how to book on will be communicated shortly.

Menopause Friendly Accreditation

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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

Wellbeing Roadshow – 03.02.23 – Gorseinon

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GCS will be holding a Wellbeing Roadshow at Gorseinon campus on Friday 3rd March.  Lorraine Evans, Wellbeing Advisor, and Christian Regis, Staff Fitness Coach, will be in the reception area from 9am until 12pm to talk all things Wellbeing and to answer any questions you may have on the new Staff Wellbeing portal, Employee Assistance Programme, Lean Body Challenge, Staff Benefits or any other related enquiries. Please pop along to meet them and to discuss any suggestions as to what you would like to see on the wellbeing agenda.

Menopause Cafe – Jubilee Court 01.03.23

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Menopause café drop in sessions are a place for colleagues to get together informally to socialise, eat cake, drink tea and discuss menopause. These sessions will be a respectful, confidential opportunity to chat with your colleagues and to talk and share menopause stories and experiences.

Tea and coffee will be available and these sessions are open to all, regardless of gender or age and we look forward to meeting you all there.

For more information or to get involved, please contact Lorraine.evans@gcs.ac.uk

7 Benefits of Strength Training

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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

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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