2021 Branch AGM

Just remind you that we will be electing our new stewards and officers for the coming year at our AGM on the 30^th March 2021 at 3pm. If you care about your workplace and hate injustices or you want to change the world,  then why not apply to become a Steward or an officer of the Branch.

 

For more details, you can speak to your local steward or contact me for a chat. Nomination forms and further information  can be found on our web site www.oxfordcityunison.com

 

Looking forward to seeing you all there

Wellbeing check-up

Wellbeing breaks can provide welcome relief from stress and respite from difficult circumstances – this can include assisting with recovery from illness to help prepare for a return to work.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently unable to consider applications for wellbeing breaks. We are keeping the situation under review and hope to be able to offer this service in the not too distant future. 

There for You may be able to help you towards the costs of a break, depending on your financial situation.

For more information contact us on 020 7121 5620 or email thereforyou@unison.co.uk or contact your branch welfare officer.

How has coronavirus affected mental health?

 How has mental health changed? 

Mental health problems have worsened across all age-groups in the past year.

In adults, the proportion of individuals showing symptoms of depression has almost doubled since the start of the pandemic, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The full story can be found at the BBC 

Are you covered? Have you got protection?

 

The more of us are in a union, the safer everyone is at work. Tell a friend to Join today 

Have you ever thought about becoming a steward in UNISON

 Getting more involved in UNISON

There are many different ways in which you can become more involved in UNISON. Have a go at our Activate! game, or find out more about some of our popular roles, including:

• steward
• learning rep
• branch welfare officer
• branch treasurer

You'll find them all in this section.

Getting more involved in UNISON: activist roles

Join in a free open conversation about the Covid vaccination

 

We need to hear your views

The government's Disability Unit are conducting a public survey, which will feed in to their upcoming Disability Strategy. 

The Strategy will 'make practical changes to policies which strengthen disabled people’s ability to participate fully in society and will place fairness at the heart of government work on disability, to level up opportunity so everyone can reach their potential and participate in life in this country.'

Complete the survey HERE👇

Now more than ever, it's important to check-in on your mental health.

We are all dealing with a lot of uncertainty. 

visit Every Mind Matters for tips and advice to look after your mental wellbeing. 

https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/

 

Thank you to all our members

As we start 2021 with another lockdown, we wanted to say thank you to all our members for all the support, kindness and patience you showed us and to fellow colleagues last year. 

It made such a difference.

We also wanted to reassure you that we’re still here for you. Whether it’s online, over the phone, we’ll continue to do all we can to support you, all you need to do is ask.

  

Time for us all to play our part and save our NHS

 

Lets all do our part to protect the NHS

 

Christmas Message

 Dear All Oxford City Unison Members,

We would just like to send you all a message of hope and to wish you all a very happy Christmas in these difficult times! I don’t think any of us have ever seen a time like this, where we have been so restricted in what we do, especially when at this time of year, is the time where friends and family are meant to come together! But remember it’s ONE year! we will make up for it, I know I will !!!

Please do keep to the rules and stay safe, we will come out of this better and stronger together!


On another note!
See below information that went out in Gordon Mitchel’s communication last night regarding the new restrictions and what that means for us all over the Christmas period, make sure you read and understand. If you need any further clarification please contact your stewards or me at office@oxfordcityunison.com

What does Tier 4 mean for the City Council’s work?

Under these new restrictions, the Council will continue to work to maintain its services to residents and businesses across the city, while adjusting its operations and working practices in line with Government guidance.

Leisure and sports facilities such as leisure centres and indoor gyms, indoor swimming pools are to be closed. This includes Council-owned leisure facilities, gyms, and swimming pools.

Our Customer Services will be stopping its face-to-face operations from Friday 25 December to Monday 4 January at St Aldate’s Chambers and Rose Hill Community Centre. But continuing an online and reduced telephone customer service over this period.

From 4 January Customer Services will recommence an appointment based service for those residents that require face to face support. However, we will be encouraging customers to use our online services where they can, through the Council's website where they can talk to officers through the webchat service. Video calls from home are also available by phoning the Customer Contact Centre on 01865 249811.

We will continue operating our Locality Resource Hubs to help people in need of assistance to access food, medicines and essential supplies. The hubs cover Blackbird Leys, East Oxford, Rose Hill, West Oxford, Central Oxford, and North Oxford. 

Support from Customer Services and the Hubs can range from simple information about local support services to providing advice and support to those with financial hardship, housing needs or needing help accessing care services.

Hubs can be contacted by phoning the Council on 01865 249 811 or using the online form

Tier 4 restrictions mean:
 

• Stay at home, except for permitted reasons. This includes shopping for food and other essentials, exercise, education, childcare, collecting prescriptions, medical appointments, essential work, and attending a place of worship.
• Everyone who can work effectively from home should do so.
• You cannot meet other people socially indoors or in a private garden unless you live with them or they are part of your support bubble.
• You can exercise (unlimited) or meet in a public outdoor place with people you live with, your support bubble (or as part of a childcare bubble), or with one other person at a safe social distance.
• Don't travel to other areas – it is not permitted (other than for legally permitted reasons) to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
• Shops selling non-essential goods and market stalls not selling food must close.
• Cafes, restaurants, bars and pubs remain closed but can serve takeaways, click and collect and delivery orders.
• Personal care, hair and beauty salons must close, as should tattoo, massage and spa venues.
• Entertainment venues, indoor attractions and leisure facilities must close.
• Clinically extremely vulnerable people are advised to stay at home as much as possible, except to go outdoors for exercise or to attend health appointments. If they cannot work from home, they are advised not to go to work and claim any support where eligible.

On behalf of your branch, we ask you to follow guidelines and support your friends and colleagues that may be struggling if any of you have any concerns please let us know, we are all available to support you!

Once again

Merry Christmas & Best wishes

Caroline on behalf of your Branch Committee

'Council Matters' – A Poem for Local Council Unsung Heroes

Renowned poet Tony Walsh was commissioned by APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence) to create a very special poem to thank you, the unsung heroes in Local Government who worked on the frontline and behind the scenes to support our communities through the COVID-19 pandemic.

You can click HERE to listen to the poem.