Health and Wellbeing Day 2020 – the year it went virtual!


Updated 14/07/2020

Gower College Swansea recently held its third annual Health and Wellbeing Day – its first ever virtual one!

Over 400 members of staff enjoyed the wellbeing sessions which were a blend of live and pre-recorded video sessions on YouTube and live webinars on Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

The sessions included

  • Five physical activities (spin, HIIT class, relaxing meditation, step challenge and yoga)
  • 16 webinars (including tea and talk sessions, work life balance, stress management webinars delivered by Health Assured and one-to-one sessions with PGM solicitors)
  • Four social sessions (bingo, family quiz, book club and family disco) and
  • 17 pre-recorded videos (including making masks for the NHS, cooking demonstrations, British sign language and basic vehicle checks for lockdown).

“Our Health and Wellbeing Day is an excellent opportunity for staff and their families to enjoy some wellbeing activities at the end of a very difficult academic year,” says Director of HR, Sarah King.

“This year, with the Covid-19 pandemic and staff working from home, it was more important than ever. We made sure to include sessions on homeworking, how to stay calm, happy and focused in tough times, wellbeing and resilience and even how to make facemasks.

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone that organised, hosted and took part in the sessions. It was great to see such high attendance for a virtual event like this.”

Last year, Gower College Swansea achieved the Gold Corporate Health Standard Award in recognition of its policy for maintaining and promoting a high quality of health and wellbeing in the workplace. This takes the form of regular targeted campaigns such as Time to Talk (mental health awareness), Hydration Week, Back Care Week and National No Smoking Day.

The sessions hosted on YouTube can be found on the GCSActive YouTube channel, along with other health and wellbeing videos that are uploaded and livestreamed on a regular basis.

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