Released On 07 October 2017
News from Cityparents HQ: Oct 2017
After a restful summer break, Cityparents HQ is buzzing with a busy autumn programme. As we head towards our 5th anniversary in November, we’ve plenty to update you on.
Here, there and everywhere
We’re delighted to announce two new additions to Cityparents’ social media ‘family’. We’ve launched a new Linked In company page here which will replace our previous Linked in Group and you can now follow us on Instagram as well. We also post regular updates, blog links and event news on our Facebook and Twitter feeds. Drop by online and say hello!
Two new faces
We’re also been busy growing the Cityparents team and are delighted to introduce Kim Willis and Kathryn Ryan. Kim ably assists the team with administration, social media and newsletter production whilst Kathryn, an experienced HR consultant, has come on board to help co-ordinate Cityworks, our employer network for HR, Diversity & Inclusion and Wellbeing professionals. They spill the beans here on their most memorable parenting moments, highs and lows of City working and which high profile speakers they’d most like to hear.
A new venture
Cityparents is delighted to announce the launch of Cityflex, a new jobs board specialising in flexible role recruitment across the City and Canary Wharf.
Cityflex brings flexible working in the City fully into the mainstream, by providing employers who are open to flexible working with the opportunity to reach candidates with relevant skills and experience, and by giving individuals looking for flexible roles the ability to share their skills and time with businesses. Visit the new Cityflex website to find out how it differs from other flexible working job sites.
Laugh, cry or join the debate
Members often tell us that they really look forward to our weekly blogs. Penned by a small team of regular contributors from across the City, our blogs are circulated via email and posted on our website here. Hilarious, thought-provoking and often moving, they offer a personal take on a whole range of work and family matters, and don’t forget you can join the discussion by posting a comment online below each blog. If you think you’d like to have a go at writing your own blog, we’d be delighted to hear from you - please get in touch with Louisa. In case you missed them, here are 5 popular blogs from recent weeks that have got people talking:
Maria's blog: Pushing or letting be?
Dolly’s blog: Who are you calling bossy?
Matt's blog: Ingredients for flexible working success
Marva’s blog: No time like the present
Lawrence’s blog: the parental leave experience
Looking after yourself
Holding down a demanding City role can be stimulating and also stressful. Add family or caring responsibilities into the mix and it can be hard to prioritise looking after yourself. Emotional and mental wellbeing is one of the top four challenges facing City professionals, according to 57% of participants in our Cityparents survey conducted this summer. Worryingly, 55% of respondents reported either having experienced mental ill health in the past or experiencing it at present, a significant rise on last year’s figure. This figure is also substantially higher than the 31% of employees across the UK who say they have experienced mental health problems whilst at work, according to CIPD.
Employers across the City are recognising this issue and taking steps to encourage people to talk more openly about mental health and know where to access support. Read more here about our survey findings and the wellbeing resources available to City professionals via Cityparents and other organisations.
10th October is World Mental Health Day
10th October is recognised as World Mental Health Day every year by the World Health Organisation. In the UK, all the major mental health charities and services support this initiative and encourage individuals and organisations to talk about mental ill health and help improve the care available.
Let us know how you’re marking World Mental Health Day at your company, tell us your story, or simply show your support for this important cause and we’ll share your update with others. You can get in touch with us via Twitter, Facebook, Linked In and Instagram and don’t forget the hashtag #WMHD.
To ease you through autumn
For tips on reducing stress and helping children cope with peer pressure, check out our other articles. Don’t miss our interview with Hanneke Smits, CEO of Newton Investment Management and advice from Paul Lindley, Founder of Ella’s Kitchen, on learning from toddlers. If you’re looking for personalised career support, why not consider joining our Cityparents Mentoring Scheme? We’re currently welcoming applications from mentors and mentees for our autumn intake; the closing deadline is this Friday and more information is available here. Milly, our Cityparents Network Manager, picks out some notable events for your diary - we hope to see you at a Cityparents event soon.