Event

Event

Working Mind Six Week Online Mindfulness Course – starts 20 January

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As we approach the new year, many of us will be looking ahead at the next 12 months, setting new year’s resolutions, and vowing to make positive changes in our lives. This new year, why not resolve to be more mindful for 2022?

Mindfulness promotes resilience and wellbeing. It can help us to manage change and uncertainty, which will be particularly valuable as we navigate the unknowns of the new year.

We invite you to take part in the Working Mind six-week mindfulness course, open to members’ staff of either House. Sessions will take place every Thursday 12-1pm from 20 January to 24 February. Book your place via ACTor email [email protected]

The six-week course is an opportunity to experience the principles and practices of mindfulness, and explore how mindfulness can help you thrive inside and outside of the workplace. The course will be delivered by Awaris and will take place online via Zoom.

Not sure if mindfulness is for you? A Mindfulness Taster session will take place on Wednesday 12 January, 9.30-10am. This workshop will introduce you to mindfulness as a way of reclaiming your attention and developing greater focus, clarity and wellbeing. It is suitable both as a stand-alone session, and as a taster for those interested in signing up for one of our longer mindfulness courses. Book your place.

For further details about the mindfulness course, please email [email protected]

Managing your Money Worries Webinar -18 January

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At this time of year, it is not unusual for many of us to experience financial anxiety or the “January blues”. After all, our spending often goes up during the festive season which can lead to increased financial pressures in the new year. Our finances underpin most areas of our lives and money problems can cause serious issues— even affecting our mental health…

Join us for a financial wellbeing workshop on Tuesday 18 January, 2-3pm. Book your place on the Health & Wellbeing learning hub on ACT or email [email protected]

The session will offer expert, non-judgemental advice on how to manage your money worries. You will learn how financial wellbeing and mental wellbeing are linked—and how to improve both in one fell swoop. The session will also cover:

  • Key facts behind financial wellbeing, and the ways they affect our mental health
  • The emotional impact of money worries, as well as the physical toll
  • Practical tips and advice on managing money, using credit wisely, and being financially aware

The session will be delivered by Joy Whitehead from Health Assured, our EAP provider. If you have any questions about the session email [email protected]

Laughter Workshop – Monday 17 January

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Laugh away the January Blues with a laughter workshop, hosted by Lotte Mikkelsen.

You have probably heard the saying that “laughter is the best medicine” – but its more than an old wives tale – laughing can really benefit your health and wellbeing. By laughing we release natural feel-good chemicals into our body, which lower our stress levels and put us in a much more positive frame of mind.

Join us for a laughter workshop on Monday 17 January, 12-12.30pm. You are guaranteed to leave the session feeling reenergised and ready to take on Blue Monday with a smile!  Book your place on the H&W learning hub or email [email protected]

The session will be hosted by Lotte Mikklesen, leading laughter yoga expert. Lotte has worked with clients such as Google, Barclays and the NHS, and has also featured several times on ITV

Elizabeth Tower: from construction to conservation

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Online talk – 11:00 – 30 December 2021

Shrouded in scaffolding since 2017, the Elizabeth Tower is under repair from the gilt cross and orb at its tip, to the bottom of its 334-step staircase. These monthly talks explore the story of the clock tower from its beginnings, to the most complex conservation project in its history.

Discover how and why the Elizabeth Tower, the Great Clock and the Great Bell, Big Ben, were built and learn about the enormous task of restoring the tower to its former glory, as it is modernised to make it fit for the 21st century. This vital conservation work will ensure that this iconic building, situated on a UNESCO World Heritage site, is safeguarded for future generations to visit and enjoy.

At the end of the talk, 15 minutes are available for you to ask questions.

This is an online event and will be hosted on Microsoft Teams Live Events which you can access through web browsers like Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge. Safari is not currently supported. You do not need a Microsoft account to join the event. We will send full details of how to join the event online following registration.

https://ukparliament.seetickets.com/timeslot/elizabeth-tower-from-construction-to-conservation

Meet the people behind Big Ben: The Cumbria Clock Company

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Online talk – 18:00 – 20 January 2022

Join this talk by Keith Scobie-Youngs, director and co-founder of The Cumbria Clock Company, to find out about the recent conservation of the Great Clock of Westminster. Keith and his team, along with UK Parliament’s clock mechanics, painstakingly cleaned, repaired, and restored more than 1,000 components at their workshop in the village of Dacre near Penrith.

This was the first time that the entire mechanism had been removed from its home in the Elizabeth Tower. Keith will discuss much of the work including designing and making the temporary clock hands and drive units, removing the clock movement, fitting the original clock hands, and installing the going train and getting it ticking for 2022.

At the end of the talk, 20 minutes are available for you to ask questions.

This is an online event and will be hosted on Microsoft Teams Live Events which you can access through web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge. Safari is not currently supported. You do not need a Microsoft account to join the event. We will send full details of how to join the event online following registration.

For further information and booking, please see here: https://ukparliament.seetickets.com/event/people-behind-big-ben/online/2179504

Held In Our Hearts – Pregnancy & Baby Loss

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Tuesday 7th December at 2.45pm

Pregnancy and baby loss can have an enormous impact on a family and the ripples of grief can be felt for a lifetime. Being well supported emotionally both at home and in the workplace can help families feel less alone and validate their grief and complex feelings.

Held In Our Hearts have 40 years of experience providing free baby loss counselling and support to bereaved parents. This talk will be presented by Nicola Welsh (CEO) who is bereaved herself and will focus on the impact of loss and good examples of support offered to families returning to work after the loss of their baby.

Please RSVP to [email protected]

The Great Cross-Party Get Together

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The Labour and Conservative Women’s Parliamentary Staff Networks invite you to

The Great Cross-Party Get Together – with Kim Leadbeater MP
(aerobics class)
Time: 8:30am – 9:15am
Date: 8 December 2021

Following the covid-19 pandemic and tragic murder of Sir David Amess MP we wanted to do something to bring everyone together in a safe way to spend some light-hearted time together and would be delighted if you could join us.

This aerobics class is open to all MPs, Peers and their staff and we hope you can join in with your team. You’ll be pleased to know that lycra is not compulsory but fancy dress is welcome!

Please sign up via https://forms.gle/JJiogrvnRuuPwHUr9

Men’s Mental Health Day Event – 8 December 2021

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*REMINDER*

Health & Wellbeing Learning Hub

To mark the end of Movember and International Men’s Day (19 November), we invite you to join us for a live panel discussion where we will explore the topic of men’s mental health.

Mental health continues to be a taboo subject for men, with many suffering in silence when they experience sadness, loneliness and anxiety.

We will talk to colleagues about the “silent crisis” of men’s mental health and the challenges men face when opening up about their feelings.

We invite you to join the discussion and show your support.

Join us on Wednesday 8 December, 11.30am – 12.30pm. Sign-up here.

Members’ Services Fair

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Please note that links to the old Parliamentary intranet have been removed as of October 2023. Please use search on ParliNet to find relevant current details, if available.

https://parlinet.parliament.uk/house-of-commons-members-staff/

The Members’ Services Fair continues today and tomorrow in Portcullis House.

A few remaining places are available for Members and Members’ Staff to join special Doorkeeper tours, which will take you to key business areas around the House. Doorkeepers will be able to answer any questions you may have about access or finding your way around Parliament.

Places are also available on a drop-in basis – please visit the Members’ Services Team desk in the PCH Atrium or ask Ross, Adrian, Kieron, Chris or Aaron from the Doorkeeper team to check availability.

Tours will depart regularly from the PCH Atriumand will take approximately 30 minutes. Each tour group will be limited to five people.

The Members’ Services Fair has been arranged as an opportunity for you to learn more about the support, services and facilities available to you. Staff representing teams including the Digital Service, Members’ security, IPSA and HR will be on hand in the Atrium and Attlee Suite in PCH to answer any questions you have, provide an introduction to the services and facilities available to you and provide resources and further information.

If you would like to arrange to visit the Fair at a specific time or to speak to a particular service, please contact the Members’ Services Team by emailing [email protected].

The Great Cross-Party Get Together

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Wednesday 8 December 2021
8.30am to 9.15am

We are delighted that Kim Leadbeater MP will be leading an aerobics class for this Winter’s Great Cross-Party Get Together for all MPs, Peers and their staff from all political parties.

The event will be online and is being hosted by the Labour Women’s Parliamentary Staff Network and the Conservative Women’s Parliamentary Staff Network in partnership with the Jo Cox Foundation.

You’ll be delighted to know that lycra is not mandatory but fancy dress is acceptable!

Please note the time of the session above.