Category: Health and Wellbeing

Attention dancing lovers!

Sheila will be hosting a workshop that introduces participants to the joyful art of tap dancing. The sessions will take place at the Infant Welfare Building (IWC) and are free of charge.

The tap dancing workshops will run every Monday from Monday 23 September to Monday 21 October, with sessions scheduled from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. Each class is suitable for both beginners and those with some dance experience, guiding you through basic steps as well as more advanced routines.

Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing such as leggings, joggers, or trousers that allow for easy movement. Sheila may have a few pairs of tap shoes available for loan, but if you have your own, feel free to bring them. Alternatively, a normal pair of shoes with a sturdy heel, no higher than 3 ½ to 4 cm, will suffice.

This workshop promises to be a fun and inclusive experience, with the potential for future sessions exploring other dance styles like Freestyle, Contemporary, or Ballet, depending on interest and success. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to get moving and have fun, see you there!

The session will be limited to a maximum of 15 attendees, so if you would like to take part, please be sure to email [email protected] before Thursday 19 September, to reserve your spot.

Let’s walk the walk and make a positive difference together.

Since 2020, this industry-wide 20km fundraising walk has seen thousands of hospitality people across the UK champion wellbeing and raise over £200,000 for Hospitality Action.

Walk for Wellbeing is so much more than a fundraising walk. With mental health issues, the cost-of-living crisis, and fear of homelessness at an all-time high, the money Walk for Wellbeing raises will help:

• Support one in two people with mental health issues that contact Hospitality Action for support.

• Deliver in-person and phone counselling sessions.

• Provide emergency grants to put food on the table.

When you support Walk for Wellbeing, you’re promoting the importance of better mental health and wellbeing for everyone in hospitality while raising funds to power the vital work of Hospitality Action.

How can you get involved?

Take part in our BCLM team, as an individual, or with friends and family – all are welcome!

Details: 

• Sunday 13 October 2024.
• 10am with registration at 9.30am. 
• Location: Albert’s Schloss, Birmingham.

This engaging 20km walk includes green spaces such as the scenic Edgbaston Reservoir, and takes in parts of Digbeth, the city’s creative quarter, and some of Birmingham’s historic canal network.

20km is a significant distance, so come prepared to make the most of your day. Pack water bottles and snacks, wear suitable shoes and clothing (check the weather!) and have emergency contact details to hand.

Let’s walk the walk and make a difference together, register your interest by email to; [email protected]

If you have not booked your place yet, please complete RSVP using this form by the end of Saturday 14 September at the latest. Paper copies of the RSVP form can be found in the guide hut or requested from the People & Culture team. Please return paper copies to the People & Culture team based in Canalside offices.

To say a massive ta very much to all of you for your contributions during Forging Ahead, in keeping the whole Museum going and delivering a project, we’re hosting a Bostin’ Bash on Tuesday 17 September from 6pm – 10:30pm. It’s an opportunity for all colleagues to come together and celebrate this fantastic achievement.

We’ll have tables lining the new 1940s-1960s street, with food being served from outside Marsh & Baxter. Welcome drinks will be served on arrival in the Industrial Quarter from 6pm.

There’s plenty see and do, including:

• Live music from Vinyl Revival, playing hits through the decades from the 1960s to present day
• 360 photobooth
• Free-to-ride fairground open until 9pm
• Street games and skittle alley
• Ice cream van
• Bar open until 10pm

PLUS – every guest will have a chance to WIN a hamper of brand-new BCLM goodies! On arrival every guest will receive a raffle ticket and be in with the chance to win a hamper of our brand–new Museum Shop merchandise.

Please note that our Bostin’ Bash is for colleagues only, and we are unable to accommodate additional guests.

Thank you to all colleagues who participated in providing feedback via our wellbeing survey about our events, communication methods, and the Perkbox benefits platform. Your input is invaluable and has helped us understand various aspects of our operations.

Utilisation of benefits

• Complimentary admission tickets for family and friends are the most frequently used benefit, with 82 respondents taking advantage of them.
• Food units discounts are also popular, with 74 respondents using these benefits. We encourage everyone to use your staff discount of 25% across all food and beverage units (excluding alcohol) and 15% on Gift Shop purchases.
• Colleague socials (parties) are enjoyed by 42 respondents. We look forward to welcoming even more colleagues to our upcoming wellbeing group events.

Barriers to benefit usage

• Lack of awareness and lack of interest, reported by 25% of respondents.
• However, 28 respondents indicated these issues do not apply to them, as they actively use the benefits. We’re pleased to see this!

Awareness and satisfaction with Perkbox

• 64 respondents are aware of the Perkbox platform and know how to access it.

We appreciate all suggestions for improving Perkbox and are carefully considering your feedback.

Communication preferences

• Email is the most common method, used by 84 respondents.
• BCLM Intranet is also widely utilised, with 68 respondents.
• Newsletters are followed by 36 respondents.
• Social media and noticeboards are used less frequently.
• Planday and team meetings are used by 35 and 27 respondents, respectively.

Please remember that social events, important Museum notices, and the internal newsletter are updated monthly on noticeboards and in a specific folder for the internal newsletter. We will continue to use Planday, emails, and the Intranet as our main communication tools, so please check these regularly.

Colleague satisfaction with Museum communications

The effectiveness of Museum communications received an average rating of 3.52, on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being “very good” and 1 being “not very good.” We value your feedback and suggestions on improving our internal communications, and your input will help us become more effective.

Interest in sharing skills

• Knitting, sewing, or crochet is the most popular skill, with 13 respondents willing to share. With autumn and winter approaching, we’ll explore these ideas and perhaps organise sessions to crochet some gloves for the season!
• Local history knowledge and cooking are also areas of interest, with 9 and 6 respondents respectively. For those interested, we have a cookie-making event coming up on Monday, 9 September, with Rory and Josh.

In light of these results, Susannah Green will organise sessions to help you better understand and use the benefits available through Perkbox. These sessions will be held as follows:

• Friday 13 September, 10:00am – Canalside Quiet Room
• Tuesday 17 September, 3:00pm – Bottle & Glass Training Room
• Wednesday 18 September, 10:30am – Guide Hut

We hope these sessions will assist you in making the most of your Perkbox benefits. Please email [email protected] for more information on this.

Thank you once again for your valuable feedback.