EIU Newsletter January 2022
Contents of this page
News and updates
In case you missed it
Awareness and religious dates
Support and services
News and updates
Supporting Staff with Long COVID
Guidance for supporting staff with Long COVID is available on the EIU website. The guidance includes tips for managers, recommended adjustments and links to useful external online resources.
New Staff Networks
The Disability, Accessibility and Mental Health Staff Network (DAMH) is looking for new members. The group have been created to support staff who have an accessibility requirement, mental/chronic health issue, are neuro-diverse, or considers themselves disabled. The group aims to improve the process for obtaining reasonable adjustments, and change the way disability is perceived at the university. Contact the DAMH network or find it on Twitter to learn more and get involved.
The Bipolar Disorders Staff Network is looking for new members. The group has been set up by staff, for staff who are affected by bipolar disorders. The group aims to provide a safe supportive space for staff, working together to access expert guidance and collaborate to overcome barriers through advocacy, education and networking. Contact the Bipolar Disorders Staff Network to find out more and get involved.
Updated BDF Mental Health Toolkit
As a member of the Business Disability Forum (BDF) the University has free access to their knowledge hub resources including the recently updated Mental Health Toolkit. The toolkit contains a range of resources for equality and inclusion professionals, HR managers and senior leaders. The resources on mental wellbeing include Employee wellbeing and resilience – Physical and mental health, Employee wellbeing and resilience – Talking about mental health, and having sensitive conversations. To access the BDF Knowledge Hub register with your University of Leeds email address on the BDF signup webpage.
In case you missed it
Equality and Inclusion Calendar 2022
The calendar highlights key diversity days, including the faith days, awareness dates and important dates for the University. It is a guide to support timetabling, work scheduling and event planning to help ensure that we provide an inclusive environment which enables our students, staff and visitors to participate in significant celebration and/or remembrance events.
The Equality and Inclusion Calendar is also available as a PDF and ICS file format for importing into a calendar format of your choice (including Outlook and Google).
Equality and Inclusion Calendar 2022 (PDF)
Equality and Inclusion Calendar 2022 (ICS)
Awareness and religious dates
January 2022
5 Jan - Birthday of Guru Gobindh Singh - Sikhism
6 Jan - Epiphany - Christianity
18 Jan - Mahayana New Year - Buddhism
27 Jan - Holocaust Memorial Day
February 2022
1–28 Feb - LGBT+ History Month
1 Feb - Chinese Lunar Year
5 Feb - Basant Panchami-Saraswati Puja – Hinduism
15 Feb - Nirvana Day – Buddhism
16 Feb - Magha Puja Day – Buddhism
25 Feb–1 Mar - Intercalary Days – Bahai
Support and services
Meno-Pause for Thought Café
Meno-Pause for Thought Cafés are informal meet-ups hosted monthly on Teams, which create time and a safe, respectful, and confidential space to discuss the menopause. The cafés are open to everyone irrespective of age or gender and no one is advised to follow any particular course of action in them.
Next session: Wednesday 26 January 13:00 – 14:00. To book your place visit the Meno-Pause for Thought Café Eventbrite webpage.
Staff Networks
Staff peer support networks are organised by staff for staff, providing a safe space for colleagues to reach out to others within the University who identify with a protected group or who have specific interests. They provide a safe, welcoming and practical platform, where exchanging information, generating and sharing views and new ideas can be expressed in an informal environment. The networks also enable peer support, networking opportunities and social activities. Current staff networks are as follows:
Bipolar Disorders Staff Network
Chronic Pain and Fatigue Network
Disability, Accessibility and Mental Health Staff Network (DAMH)
We hope you find this newsletter useful. We welcome your feedback. Please email us with any comments or suggestions for future newsletter items.