Renfrewshire Council

Get your winter vaccines

NHS Scotland has begun inviting those eligible for the free flu and COVID-19 vaccines this year. It's important that those who are eligible take up the offer of vaccination to get the best protection for themselves, their loved ones, and communities.

Colleagues between the ages of 18-64, with health conditions such as diabetes or chronic respiratory disease, should look out for your invitation from the NHS, either by text, email or letter, to book your vaccination appointment. Frontline health and social care workers, and those working in care homes for the elderly, should have been contacted already.

If you have caring responsibilities and you are registered as an unpaid carer with your GP, you can also expect to be contacted about your vaccination appointment.

For more information about who is being offered the flu and COVID-19 vaccines, or to book an appointment, visit nhsinform.scot/wintervaccines or call the Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013.

RenTalks coming soon

All RenTalks sessions take place virtually on Microsoft Teams. Colleagues with a council email address should look out for invitations arriving in your inbox soon. If you don't have a council email address, please contact internal.communications@renfrewshire.gov.uk to be added to the invite list.

Stress Awareness: 06 November, 4-4.45pm

Fiona Hewitt, our development officer—health and wellbeing, is hosting this session on National Stress Awareness Day to help colleagues recognise the signs of stress and learn ways to cope when it's impacting your wellbeing.

Insights to CBT: 14 November, 11-11.45am

We are joined once again by Ruth Devlin and Dr Becky Smith for a RenTalk dedicated to learning about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). In this session, Ruth and Becky will introduce you to the basic concepts and techniques behind CBT and will help you identify how you can use these to address negative thinking patterns as well as breathing techniques and other practical exercises to help improve brain function.

Time for Talking: 20 November, 2-3pm

Meet therapist and CEO of our employee counselling service Time for Talking, Kevin McGeever, in this session about managing your work-life balance. Kevin will talk about practical tips and tricks to juggle work and life to help you achieve a happier and healthier balance without feeling overwhelmed.

Look after your mental health

It's ok not to be ok. If you need support with your mental wellbeing, and could do with a friendly and impartial chat, get in touch with one of our Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA).

Our MHFAs are trained to listen and help you access the right support when you need it. They will meet with you either in person, over the phone or on Microsoft Teams, and speak with you in confidence. Look out for MHFA colleagues wearing a purple lanyard or find their contact details on our Mental Health First Aider web page. .

For more information on our employee counselling programme - Time for Talking, our support for colleagues with caring responsibilities and for those going through menopause, please visit the 'Taking care of our employees' wellbeing' hub.

Boost your wellbeing with discounted access to OneRen leisure facilities

There are plenty of ways to stay active throughout the colder months. If the weather is getting in the way of an outdoor workout, why not sign up for access to OneRen leisure facilities where you can get fit and healthy at our local gyms, swimming pools and regular exercise classes.

You can choose from the following membership offer for colleagues:

• £20 off any 6-month package
• £30 off any 12-month package

To join, visit any OneRen leisure centre with Renfrewshire Council identification—either a current payslip or ID badge— or for more information, contact the membership team at OneRen_membership@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Published Friday 18 October 2024