EIU Newsletter June 2022
Contents of this page
News and updates
In case you missed it
Awareness and religious dates
Support and services
News and updates
Carers Week 2022 6-12 June
Find out more about the support available for working carers at the University and externally from Carers Leeds who provide free and confidential advice.
New Parent and Carer Peer Support Network
Help is available for parents or carers looking for extra support through the Microsoft Teams-based Parent and Carer Peer Support Network. The group started in the School of Medicine and is now expanding to invite anyone across the University to join. Contact Gemma Traviss-Turner or James Willmoth for further information and to be added to the Teams group.
Business Disability Forum
The Business Disability Forum (BDF), we have renewed our membership! It is a brilliant resource for HR Managers, Line Managers and all staff interested in disability inclusion at the University of Leeds. Membership includes access to the BDF resource library including toolkits with in-depth information, guidance, research, blogs and podcasts on a range of topics such as mental health, neurodiversity, inclusive communications and Covid-19.
Your membership also allows you to contact the BDF’s confidential Advice Service, where a team of expert advisors can provide guidance and practical problem-solving help on a range of issues.
You can access your BDF membership by registering on the BDF membership signup webpage using your University of Leeds email address.
Business in the Community
We have renewed our membership to Business in the Community (BITC), a business network focused on improving responsible practice to create beneficial impacts in the workplace and community. BITC provide a wide range of resources on their website which are available for all university staff.
How can you make the most of our BITC membership?
You can access skills building workshops, networking events, webinars, and toolkits on the BITC website, to develop your skills and knowledge. BITC focus on six areas:
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- Diversity and Inclusion
- Employment and Skills
- Health and Wellbeing
- Healthy Business
- Healthy Communities
- Healthy Environment
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If you are interested in building and developing new skills and strengthening your knowledge of best business practices, use the self-register form for access to all member resources. You can find out more, including how to set up your login, on the EIU BITC webpage.
In case you missed it
The ‘Employee Guide to dealing with stress and mental health issues at work’ has been updated
The Employee Guide has been updated to reflect the current working environment and to include a focus on positive mental health too. This Guide aims to help staff who are experiencing difficulties which are impacting on their mental health and wellbeing, and/or wish to support and respond when a colleague discloses such difficulties.
The Guide was written by a cross-HR team and supports the updated Managers’ Guide (and training) which was updated in November 2021.
If you might have any questions relating to this, please contact Sally Rose or Nicola Neath.
Awareness and religious dates
June 2022
2 - 3 June University closed
3 June Spring Semester: Exams Starts
4 - 6 June Shavuot - Judaism*
5/13 June Pentecost - Christianity
6 - 12 June Carers Week
16 June Corpus Christi - Christianity
16 June Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev - Sikhism
17 June Summer term ends
22 June Windrush Day
29 June St Peter and St Paul Day - Christianity
30 June Puri Ratha Yatra - Hinduism
*Please note the major Jewish festivals begin in the evening of the festival start date. Please see the Jewish Religious Observance guidance for more information.
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: Thursday 23 June – 15:00 – 16:00. 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 contact us with any comments or suggestions for future newsletter items.