Tag Archives: Wellbeing

Announcements, Community Notices, Diversity, Events, International students, IRO, Notice, Student stories, UC News, Wellbeing

Host UC international students for a Kiwi Summer Day

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Did you know that UC has approximately 1100 on-campus international students who have not been able to return home to their families for the past two summers, given NZ’s ongoing border closures? These students have committed to staying in Aotearoa so as not to jeopardise their studies with us.

This summer the International Relationships Office wants to ensure all international students who are staying in Christchurch over the break feel welcomed and supported by our UC community. We want to encourage our students to have some fun and get to know new friends in the UC community.

How can you help?

We welcome UC staff to invite a couple of international students to take part in a summer activity with you and your whānau. This could be a BBQ at your home, a walk at Sumner beach, or even a day trip to Akaroa. Perhaps students could join you for a community event in Christchurch e.g., Christmas Carols at Hagley Park – it’s up to you. This is a one-off activity, designed to fit with your existing summer plans. There is no expectation of ongoing interaction with the students, though we hope that you’ll now have another friendly face to see around campus.

Please note that we ask any staff who sign up, to host two international students. Pairing students up gives them a level of comfort and confidence. The IRO will connect you to students who are not in the same department as you, to ensure no conflict of interest.

If you’re interested in taking part in this programme please complete the form here before 10 November 2021.  IRO will be in touch after the deadline with more information, guidelines for H&S etc.

If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact candice.houghton@canterbury.ac.nz

Thanks for helping to ensure UC’s international student whānau feel supported and connected to our community this summer. You are truly engaging in the UC Values!

Health and Safety, Staff Success

Health, Safety and Wellbeing Award Nominations OPEN

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Do you know hardworking people who make a difference?
Put them or yourself forward for an award!
Source: Athitat Shinagowin / iStock / Getty

Award Categories

  1. For the Recognition Award, we want to hear about exceptional initiatives completed which contributed to the health, safety and wellbeing in their workplace or wider community.
  2. For the Initiative Award, we’re looking for applications from colleagues who are developing exceptional initiatives and need financial assistance to see it come to fruition.

Ultimately, if you’ve inspired engagement in health, safety, and wellbeing, and made a positive impact in your service unit or department, we want to make sure you are recognised for it!

Applying or nominating

Get your thinking caps on because you can make a submission yourself, as part of a group or unit, or nominate a fellow worker, or group of workers.

Applications for the above awards are open to UC staff from Monday 30 August 2021 until Friday 1 October 2021.
Learning & Development, Organisational Development, Wellbeing

Keep learning with UC’s LinkedIn Learning

Want to keep learning during Lockdown?  Have you discovered UC’s LinkedIn Learning account yet? 

LinkedIn Learning features a digital library of over 6,000 courses covering a wide range of interpersonal, leadership, online teaching and software topics, as well as wellbeing, personal interest and creative courses.

Sign in via the link on the UC website (accessing directly via google won’t let you access for free) Once you’re in, browse around! Take a course, learn  something new and apply it in your day-to-day! Then share your learnings and recommended courses with your colleagues.

*Access is granted to those in continuing and long term fixed term.

If you find a course that you think would benefit a wider UC audience, we’d love to hear about it. Please email learning and development with course information. 

UC News, Wellbeing

Stay active or relax with the RecCentre team online for FREE!

When life is challenging, we all know that a little exercise can go a long way to finding balance and improving our sense of wellbeing.   It can be hard sometimes to find routine or accountability, especially when we can’t go to our usual class, PT or walk and talk with a friend outside of our bubble!  We may just have a solution, drumroll please….

Classes and meditation with the UC RecCentre for FREE

We are delighted to offer all UC Staff the opportunity to join us online for livestreamed classes via the Rec&Sport app! 

  • Daily 15min guided meditation at 12.15pm weekdays 
  • Daily group fitness classes (check the schedule in-app) including HIIT, Yoga, Pilates, KO, TBC, BAT and of course, Zumba! 
  • The beauty of a livestream is that once it’s gone, it’s GONE!  We don’t save it, so you need to commit to your wellbeing by booking in,  turning up and giving it a go at the time scheduled.  Great to have something to look forward to and reset. 
  • You can also interact with the instructor and other class members before and after, just like a zoom call.   
  • Bonus, you’ll get to see a vast array of lovable furry friends and not so furry kids joining in (or being used as weights!)  
  • Access to other app features like Workout of the Day, Week and month (and they have wee videos to show you what to do) 
  • Or try an OnDemand Technogym class in your own time  
How do you sign up? 
  • Easy – download the UC Rec&Sport app to your smartphone or tablet 
  • THIS IS IMPORTANT please use your UC EMAIL
    eg @canterbury.ac.nz 
    If you don’t, we won’t know you are staff, and you won’t be granted access. 
  • That’s it.  Once we’ve activated your account, you’ll have full access to all features.  This could take up to 24hours, but we will do our very best to get to it faster than that, so keep checking in. 
  • If you don’ t have access inside 24hours (weekends excluded), flick us an email or facebook message and we’ll look into it
Once you’ve got access:
  • Browse the online timetable in the ‘Timetable Section’
  • Find classes you’d like to try, and select ‘remind me’ 
  • You’ll get a notification 1hour before class to remind you AND
  • another one when the trainer arrives to open the class.  Once the class is opened, head into the app and select ‘join now’. 
  • It works a lot like zoom – so you can choose to turn your microphone and camera off or on, so if you’re having troubles, just speak to the instructor live and we’ll help you out – trust us, you’re not alone! 
  • Your access will be granted until September 30th, 2021 ABSOLUTELY FREE.  No strings, no problems!  

That’s it!  We hope to see you in a virtual class with us soon! Once again, if you have any troubles getting started, please message us and we’ll reach out and give you a hand. 

Ngā mihi
UC Rec&Sport | Te Ratonga Hākinakina 

Announcements, Notice, Wellbeing

Support for those affected by the situation in Afghanistan

Kia ora koutou,

We are saddened to hear about the situation currently unfolding in Afghanistan and wanted to check in with staff who may be affected.

We understand this may be a challenging time for you and your whānau and would like to remind you that there is support available at UC if you need assistance or to talk to someone over the coming days and weeks. You can reach out to your line manager or any one of the support services below.

  • Te Whare Hauora | UC Health Centre – 03 364 2402, healthcentre@canterbury.ac.nz
  • Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – 0800 327 669,  www.eapservices.co.nz 
  • Chaplaincy services – Reverend Dr John Fox, 027 357 1628, john.fox@canterbury.ac.nz
  • Ministry of Health Need to talk? – Free phone or text 1737
  • Lifeline – 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357 for free, 24/7, confidential support

(Please call to make a booking at the Health Centre as they are unable to accept walk-ins while we are under Covid Alert Level 4.)

We encourage you to reach out if you need to, the UC community is here to support you during this time.

If you are concerned about a student who may have been affected, please refer them to the information available here.

Kia kaha,

Amanda Derry
Kaihautū, Pūmanawa Tangata ǀ Director, People and Culture