National Pet Day – Hounslow’s Pet Hall of Fame
To mark National Pet Day on Monday, 11 April, we reached out to our colleagues and invited you to share a short profile of your pet.
We have had an incredible response, and you can check out all the amazing profiles here: Hounslow's Pet Hall of Fame.
From dogs, cats and even Groot the Sulcata Tortoise, Hounslow is full of all sorts of beautiful pets - and who knows, you might even have the chance to meet one of our superstars in your next team Teams call.
If you missed our call out on Monday, you can still take part - simply send your pet profile to Liz.Carey@hounslow.gov.uk.
National Insurance increase from April 2022
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From April 2022 there will be a 1.25 per cent uplift in National Insurance Contributions (NICs) for all working age employees, self-employed people and employers, which will be added to the existing NIC contribution.
The 1.25 per cent increase was announced by the Government in September 2021 (the Health and Social Care Levy) to fund investment in the NHS, Health and Social Care.
If eligible, the increase will take effect in your April 2022 pay packet.
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Organisational Development, Leadership and Learning Cohort
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Do you want to play your part in helping the Organisational Development, Leadership and Learning (ODLL) team build a positive workplace culture where everyone at Hounslow is able to flourish?
We know that every one of our people have skills, talents and strengths to offer, and we want to tap into them to create of a cohort of supporters from all departments, levels and roles across the Council. As a supporter, you’ll act as an ambassador for the ODLL team, driven by your desire to make Hounslow the best it can be for everyone.
If you’re interested in getting involved, please complete a short form via the link below.
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You can find out more about the role here: Organisational Development, Leadership and Learning Cohort.
If you have any questions, please contact developandlearn@hounslow.gov.uk.
Modern.Gov training - do you write reports for formal council bodies?
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We're in the process of rolling out a new system called Modern.Gov, which will help streamline the formal report process for all Officers.
If you are ever involved in writing single member decision reports or chief officer decisions, then it is important that you take part in our training sessions for Modern.Gov.
If you've been invited to attend a training session please accept the invite. If you cannot attend the training, or have not yet received an invite, please contact Pauline Jones as soon as possible.
You can find out more about the Modern.Gov rollout here.
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Are you a Hounslow resident? Have your say on local health services
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The Public Health Team is conducting three important surveys to help shape the future of health services in Hounslow. If you are a local resident, and would like to have your say, you can find out more and take part below. |
Health and wellbeing services - tell us what you would like to be included in Hounslow's health and wellbeing services: take part here.
Infant feeding - tell us how we can support better parents in the borough: take part here.
Sexual health - do you access sexual health services in Hounslow? Can you spare a few minutes to tell us how we could improve these: take part here.
Would you like to join the pension board?
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Would you like to help oversee the governance of your pension? Think you have what it takes to ask questions and make sure the board is following pension rules and regulations?
If you answered yes, and yes, then you’ll be interested to know your local pension board is recruiting for a new Employee Representative.
Our pensions and how they work have changed. We want to ‘pass on the power’ and give you the opportunity to be more involved.
Find out more and how to take part here: Employee Representative role - pension board.
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Stress Awareness Month
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We can all experience a certain amount of stress in every day life. Sometimes stress can cause you to take action to make a positive change but prolonged high levels of stress can be harmful to your health.
Check out the latest information sheets from our Employee Assistance Programme provider, Validium, for top tips on how to cope with stress and how to get better sleep:
Dealing with stress at work - download
Getting better sleep - download
You can also find lot's more resources and support here: Validium newsletters.
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Easter charity raffle winners revealed
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Thank you to everyone who took part in the Mayor's Easter charity raffle, raising funds for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA).
You can find out who our winners are in a video here: live raffle draw with Mayor of Hounslow.
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Could you mentor a young person?
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Connected Futures Young Leaders is a nine month mentoring programme for 18-24 year olds to support them in starting or continuing their careers.
The programme is looking for new mentors from Hounslow to work with mentees each month, helping them to reach their goals and objectives.
If you'd like to help out, you'll need to commit one to two hours a month, predominantly online, but there are plenty of opportunities to meet face to face. You'll be provided training and support from the Connected Futures Programme team throughout the nine month period.
If you'd like to get involved, sign up here. For more information contact Bea Angier on bea.hounslowspromise@gmail.com.
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Menopause matters: let's talk about workplace support
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Menopausal women are the fastest-growing demographic in the workforce according to the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM). The menopausal transition causes serious symptoms for one in four women and has contributed to over 900,000 women leaving the workforce. But it doesn't have to be this way.
Jon this webinar on Thursday, 28 April from 1pm to hear more about how we can put in place the right tools for support to menopausal women.
Sign up here: menopause matters.
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Skilled volunteering opportunities
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Are you looking to give back to your local community through volunteering? Do you want to offer your skilled support, or would you like try something completely new?
Ealing and Hounslow Volunteer Centre is promoting a range of skilled volunteering roles, within different voluntary and community organisations in Hounslow. Check out the latest roles on offer below:
- Trustee PA at Hounslow Pensioners Forum
- PA/Researcher (Major Donors Fundraising) at The Mulberry Centre
Find out more and apply: skilled volunteering roles.
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Project Search - can you help?
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Project Search is a transition to work programme for young adults with Learning Disabilities and Autism. Hounslow has proudly hosted the initiative since 2015 with great success.
To support this year's Project Search, we're looking to connect with departments from across the council who can offer our young people work experience.
If you'd like to get involved, or find out more, please contact mica.hutton@hounslow.gov.uk (Programme Tutor and Co-ordinator) or nicky.bitar@hounslow.gov.uk (Host Business Liaison).
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School holiday activities in Hounslow
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With the school holidays upon us, why not visit inHounslow.com to check out what's going on in and around the borough.
From Easter fun at the Water and Steam Museum to spring crafts at Hogarth's House - there is plenty to see and do in our beautiful borough.
Take a look here: what's on in Hounslow April 2022.
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Do you have an Adecco agency worker in your team?
As we approach the Easter bank holiday weekend (Friday, 15 April to Monday, 18 April) please be aware that there will be changes to the timesheet approval process for all Adecco agency worker workers. If you have an agency worker in your team, please read the following guidance: agency workers - Easter holidays.
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Get active with April with BetterPoints
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Regular exercise has huge benefits to not just our physical health, but also our mental health. As we step into spring it’s a great time to venture out for that lunchtime walk, bike ride, run or whatever physical activity you enjoy.
Through BetterPoints, colleagues can earn rewards for every physical activity they take part in. Each time you’re active, you'll be awarded a point and entered into the monthly prize draw.
For more information and detailed instructions on how to download the app, please visit our BetterPoints page: get active with BetterPoints.
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