There are numerous ways staff can address and improve their wellbeing.
It’s October already! At UNSW, the health, safety and wellbeing of students and staff is at the heart of what we do. To that end, join UNSW Wellbeing and UNSW Health & Safety for a diverse program of staff events.
Our health, safety and wellbeing can be supported in many ways, from work-life balance and physical nutrition to family support.
Here are some events to check out during Health, Safety and Wellbeing Month.
One-on-one Personal Nutrition Consultations
Are you sick of eating the same, boring things all the time? Would you like to start eating a more balanced, healthy diet? Have you ever had the chance to sit down with a qualified nutritionist and talk through all your questions about food? Book your personal, 50-minute appointment with a Converge nutritionist!
There are several ways you can book an appointment at a time that suits you:
- Call 1300 687 327
- Visit the website and click ‘Book Appointment’
- Book through the Converge app. You can find the app in Play Store or App store by searching for ‘Converge International’.
UNSW Amazing Race
Back for its third year, this event will send you and your team of four around the Kensington campus, following clues and completing tasks in a race against other UNSW teams. Heats will be held across four dates in October, with prizes for the winners of each heat. For the first time this year, points will be awarded for team spirit, so get out those colourful outfits! Heat winning teams will compete in the finals in November. Find out more.
Converge Move Challenge
The Converge Move Challenge starts on Monday 14 October. This team-based physical activity challenge for staff gets us connected and moving together in a virtual race around the world. Why not take part in Converge Move as you compete in the UNSW Amazing Race?
There are two info sessions:
- Info session 1: Tuesday 1 October, 12pm-12:20pm
- Info session 2: Wednesday 9 October, 12pm-12:20pm.
Register for an info session to find out more.
Chair Yoga
With free staff classes held across four Thursdays in the Fitness and Aquatic Centre Courtside Studio, Chair Yoga will teach you techniques you can bring back to your desk.
For every and any body, this style of yoga will reduce your stress and improve your wellbeing. Tickets are already booking fast, so find out more and book now.
Garden Bee
Get out into the glorious spring sunshine with this volunteer gardening session from the UNSW Urban Growers, and help to celebrate World Food Day by planting spring and summer crops. All staff and students are welcome. Find out more.
UNSW Big Sing
If you ever felt like you wanted to sing in a choir but didn’t know how to sing, this is your chance!
A special group singing event for UNSW staff where no musical ability is required —just your enthusiasm! Singing in a group has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood and boost wellbeing – we look forward to seeing you there!
Wellbeing Webinars
Converge will present a webinar on Tuesday 29 October on Psychological Safety in the Workplace. Find out more and register.
Uprise webinars will also be held across October.
Chair and Desk Set-Up Demonstration Sessions
We’ve partnered with Gregory Chairs to provide demonstrations on how to ergonomically set up your chair and desk. Get advice on how to choose the right chair to fit your needs and learn to adjust it for optimal support and comfort. There’s no need to register – simply come to one of the demonstration sessions and be in the draw to win a Gregory Sicura chair. Find out about dates, times and locations.
Safety Q&A Session
Our Safety Specialists will be delivering their third Safety Q&A session for this year. The session will be fun and informative with a focus on Safety Systems, Reporting and Assurance topics. Here are the session details.
Hazard Hunts
Various faculties and divisions will be conducting Hazard Hunts to look for safety hazards in a pre-designated area, consult with staff and log them in Salus. Finding hazards is a key motivator for this activity and it’s also about building relationships and demonstrating that safety is the priority. Find out about upcoming Hazard Hunts.
Other Safety initiatives
We’d also like to take the opportunity to remind everyone of our ongoing initiatives to help keep health and safety in the forefront of people’s minds.
Students and staff have the option to download the ‘SafeZone’ app to access personalised emergency assistance, a direct line to the UNSW Security Operations Centre, and prompt notifications regarding safety issues in their vicinity.
Long periods of sitting and standing at our desks, in our labs and in other work areas is of increasing concern as they can lead to a variety of musculoskeletal and psychosocial health risks. Visit the Get Up & Move webpage to get tips on how to incorporate regular movement, rest breaks and mindfulness into your day.
Safety recognition is about reinforcing and celebrating proactive safety behaviours, expressing gratitude and appreciation of safety champions, and establishing a proactive approach towards health and safety. With the Safety Recognition Toolkit you can learn more about how to recognise proactive safety behaviours.
- For more health and safety topics and other initiatives explore the Safety website.
Work-Family Support Program
The next instalment of the Work-Family Support Program Family Wellbeing: Nutrition, exercise and sleep will be held on Wednesday 23 October at 1pm. Please register.
To stay up to date with Wellbeing initiatives in October, check the Wellbeing website, including the interactive calendar.
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