4 July 1-2pm Alison Richard Building, SG2 (in person)
Putting The Men into Mental Health
Our statistics show that men are significantly underrepresented in accessing counselling at the University Staff Counselling Centre and account for only one third of all referrals. Why might this be?
Are there barriers that stop men speaking openly about their emotions and seek professional help and if so, what are they?
Come and watch an engaging question and answer session with one of our male staff counsellors being interviewed as he grapples with these issues. There will be plenty of time for questions at the end.
This session is in-person. Book your place here
27 June - 8 July : Festival of Wellbeing
This year's Festival of Wellbeing programme is now live, and bookings can be made on the Festival website.
Some highlights to look out for:
- Effects of Loneliness on Brain Function and Cognition
- Putting The Men into Mental Health
- 6 Moments That Matter – How to Live a Secure and Fair Financial Life
- Social Media Use and Adolescents' Mental Health: Beyond "Good" or "Bad"
- Racketball Taster Session
- Fives Taster Session
- A Mindful Wander Around Clare Hall
- Madingley Park Tour
- Wolfson College Mindful Garden Tour
- Revive and Refresh with Mindfulness
- Delicious Things to do with Seasonal Vegetables
10 September: World Suicide Prevention Day
May is Celiac Disease Awareness Month, more information can be found here
13-17 June : Healthy Eating week
13-19 June : Men's Health Week09 – 15 May : Event details in support of Mental Health Awareness Week
Mental Health Awareness Week: Talks to highlight
Is Social Media Making us Lonely?
Wednesday 11 May, 3-4pm
Tyler Shores will be joined by Luke Fernandez, Assistant Professor in the School of Computing and Susan J. Matt, Professor of History, both from Weber State University.
How often do you find yourself on social media during the course of a normal week? More importantly, how does using social media make you feel? In this talk, we will explore some of the research about social media, connection, loneliness – as well as looking at some ways that we might be able to helpful reframe our relationship social media in our everyday lives.
Book your place here
Covid and Cognition
Thursday 12 May, 1-2pm
Dr Lucy Cheke and Lyn Curtis
People think that long Covid is ‘just’ fatigue or a cough, but cognitive issues are the second most common symptom - and our data suggest this is because there is a significant impact on the ability to remember.
In this session, Dr Cheke will share the data about the long-term consequences of Covid-19 on cognitive functions in adults and talk with Lyn Curtis a long Covid patient.
Book your place here
April : Stress Awareness Month
February
LGBT+ History Month
Workshops with the ourcambridge Supporting our Staff team
Caring4Elders Lunchtime Workshops 3 and 17 February and 3 March
An opportunity for individuals to explore positive approaches to preparing for and responding to the unexpected changes & challenges that occur as they include the increasing needs of an elderly person into your lifestyle. This includes those elderly people who are independent as well as those with specific needs. The materials are delivered over 3 x 1-hour sessions:
- Prepared to Care
- Difficult Conversations
- Problem Solving
To book on click here: https://www.equality.admin.cam.ac.uk/events/caring4elders-lunchtime-workshops-those-caring-responsibilities-older-dependants
Workshops with the ourcambridge Supporting our Staff team
What do you value in life? (7 February 11:00-12:00)
We are running another of these popular sessions shortly and spaces are still available (book here)
Setting aside some time to reflect and identify what matters to you (your personal values) can be extremely helpful when you are uncertain of your next steps. Come along and join a small, friendly group to take part in some simple exercises to help you to think through what makes you happy and how you can bring more of it into your working life.
Those who have already done this session, may be interested in our follow on session "Aligning work life with your personal values: taking the first steps". Further information is here.
Becoming a manager for the first time (2 February 10:00-11:00)
In our next panel discussion in the popular "Living our values" series with the Leaders & Managers network, we will be discussing "Thinking about becoming a manager? Things to think about." It is very common to feel daunted by the prospect of stepping into management and it is also common to feel a bit terrified when you take on your first management role. Come along to this session and hear some of our experienced managers talk about how they faced their fears and built their confidence, and actually started to enjoy it! If you are already an old hand, come along and share your experiences and offer some support and reassurance to those just embarking on the journey. You can book here.
January
University of Cambridge Women's Staff Network
Perimenopause/Menopause Support Group (Tuesday 18 January 11:00-12:00)The Women’s Staff Network would like to bring together members who would like to discuss and share their experiences of their menopause journey. The group’s aim is to provide a supportive environment and informal discussion. BOOK HERE.
How to set New Year's Resolutions that will succeed- Interactive Session (Wednesday 19 January 13:00-14:00)When anyone mentions resolutions at this time of the year, most of us tend to think – what’s the point, as we never end up sticking to them anyway. Drink less, eat less, lose weight or stop this or stop that. It’s all so exhausting. So what’s the alternative? This session delivered by Elena Carpenter (Personal Performance/Life Coach and Lean Practitioner) will give you the space, time and tools for going about achieving your aspirations and ambitions more successfully. BOOK HERE.
January
University of Cambridge Women's Staff Network – Upcoming Events
Menopause, hormones and your heart (Wednesday 26 January 11:30-13:00)This talk is being delivered by the Women in Higher Education Network(WHEN) and hosted by Professor Eef Hogervorst and Dr Emma Odonnell. The session focuses on menopause and the effects it has on cardiovascular health. Emma will touch on menopause and its symptoms and how exercise training can help moderate these symptoms. She will also briefly discuss the current consensus on the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy and the effect these hormones have on cardiovascular health. BOOK HERE.
E&D Event
Holocaust Memorial Day Lecture
Thursday 27 January, 4.00pm
'Tales from Northwest African Vichy Camps: Educating Through Graphic Memoir' Delivered by Professor Aomar Boum, Maurice Amado Chair in Sephardic Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. Aomar Boum is a Professor of Anthropology and Near Eastern Languages and Cultures at the University of California, Los Angeles. A socio-cultural anthropologist with a historical bent, Professor Boum is concerned with the social and cultural representation of and political discourse about religious and ethnic minorities in the Middle East and North Africa. To sign up, please click here.
December
We are very pleased to announce the launch of the Disabled Staff Network: a new diversity network for disabled staff and staff with long-term health conditions.
The Network was set up following a staff consultation carried out in 2021 which showed there was overwhelming support for setting up a network which would be a safe space to bring issues to and get support, somewhere to receive advice and information and a body that would advocate for its members and inform institutional policy.
We will be holding focus groups and discussions with members to determine the name, aims and objectives of the network but for now it will be a place where you can talk to other people with shared experiences and understanding. Since it is often difficult to meet in person, a lot of our ‘talk’ is likely to be through the email group initially.
The Disabled Staff Network is open to staff who identify as disabled, have long-term health conditions, identify as neurodivergent, or support colleagues or care for someone who is disabled or has a long-term condition, or who want to know more.
Click here to find out more and to join the network
Disabled Staff Network Launch Event: Disability and the Impact of Covid
Friday 10 December, 12.30-1.30pm (via Zoom)
At this event we would like to think about the impacts of COVID on disabled staff and those with long-term conditions and present our initial thoughts on how this staff network could work.
Speakers will include Dr Hisham Ziauddeen, the University’s Disability and Wellbeing Champion, Professor Alison Dunning, Chair of the Disabled Staff Network and Dr Miriam Lynn, Head of the University’s ED&I Section.
Click the here to book on to the Launch Event
November
Movember
The month of November also marks Movember - the awareness campaign focusing on mental health and suicide prevention in men, Prostate Cancer, Testicular Cancer.
World Kindness Day Saturday 13 November
To mark World Kindness Day, Yvonne McPartland, Deputy Head of Staff Counselling, has once again provided a short video about approaches to kindness in today’s world.
You can access her excellent talk via the Stream Channel: Kindness Video
The Kindness Test project, from the University of Sussex. The aim of the project is to learn more about how people's attitudes and experiences might vary across different groups, and how experiences of kindness might relate to health, well-being, and other social and psychological experiences.
The Staff Counselling Centre will deliver a series of stress and anxiety sessions.
Introduction to Stress and Anxiety
04 Nov | 12:30 – 13:30 | Book here
This session will be an opportunity to learn about stress and anxiety and begin to think about our own experiences.
*Introduction to stress and anxiety *Simple breathing technique *Considering ‘good versus bad’ stress
*Sources of stress *Difference between anxiety and stress *Individual symptoms
The Worried Mind
11 Nov |12:30 – 13:30 | Book here
The focus of this session will be on worry and anxious thoughts and how they impact our wellbeing.
We will look at strategies to help address worries directly as well as activities to distract and soothe us.
There will be two relaxation exercises and time for Q&A at the end.
What Triggers Anxiety?
18 Nov |12:30 – 13:30 | Book here
In this session, we will take a deeper look at stress and anxiety, work on what our triggers are, and any behaviours that might maintain an anxious state.
*What Triggers anxiety? *Think more about the physical symptoms *What maintains anxiety
*Negative Automatic Thoughts *Intrusive Thoughts
The month of November also marks Movember - the awareness campaign focusing on mental health and suicide prevention in men, Prostate Cancer, Testicular Cancer.
October
October is Black History Month, and there are many events planned in recognition. Here are a few highlights:
Phenomenal Women: Portraits of UK Black Female Professors (from 7 October)
A public portrait exhibition honouring Britain’s Black women professors will be on display in Cambridge from 7 October 2021.
This Too is Cambridge (22 October)
The Race Equality Network hosts a special panel discussion centered on the Black staff experience at the University of Cambridge, with a range of voices from libraries, colleges, and departments
Annual Race Equality Lecture 2021 (28 October)
Understanding Inequality Through an Intersectional Lens: The Case of Covid in the US
Speaker: Professor Mary Romero, Arizona State University
World Mental Health Day - 10 October
The 10th October marks world Mental Health Day. To support this day we have pulled together some resources for colleagues to use:
Online resources particularly supporting the return to the workplace
Further resources for World Mental Health Day from the charity Mind
Mental Health Toolkit from the Business Disability Forum (BDF). BDF provides access to an Advice Service providing expert advice on disability – enabling and supporting the University to ensure that we are an inclusive employer. The service is completely confidential and will offer advice to any University staff member who contacts them. For more information please click here.
Suicide Prevention Day - 10 September
Cycle to Work day, 5 August 2021
Cycle to Work Day is coming up on 5th August. Cyclescheme, in conjunction with Love to Ride, are offering you the chance to win fantastic prizes if you log your journey that day: click here for more information.
If you're thinking about getting a new bike, or some new biking parts or accessories, don't forget you can make great savings using the Cycle to Work scheme. Find out more on the SmartHub.
University Festival of Wellbeing - 28 June - 9 July 2021 programme
Men's Health Week - 14 June 2021
Mental Awareness Week - 10-16 May 2021
Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation.
The evidence is clear that access to nature is crucial for our mental health and millions of people re-discovered that during lockdowns this year. However, this was not the same for all of us. We want to explore what the barriers are and ensure everyone is able to share in the natural world and experience the mental health benefits.
The webpage has full programme details. Some events require you to book in advance, and some are pre-recorded and can be accessed at any time from May 10th. Where possible, live sessions will be recorded and links will be posted on these webpages to be viewed at your convenience.
The theme of this year's Mental Health Awareness Week is 'Nature and the Environment'. We are therefore encouraging staff and students to make use of the outdoors and as such the University Sports Centre are challenging us to collectively travel to the moon!
DISTANCE TO THE MOON CHALLENGE!
Let’s get moving as a single University of Cambridge community to achieve two clear targets to clock up a combined distance equivalent to travelling around the world, and then to travel to the moon! You can clock up distance by walking, running, cycling, swimming, wheelchair racing – however you like! See the dedicated webpage to take part.
"Just One Thing - with Michael Mosley"
Postcast from BBC Radio 4 - Green Spaces, "Michael reveals how simply enjoying noticing the wonders of nature could benefit your brain and body - from improving your immune system to reducing your risk of chronic disease."
