Wellness in the winter
As we move into February after a long (and stormy!) January, it can sometimes feel like winter is never-ending. It’s cold outside, evenings are dark, and it can be hard to find the motivation to do the things we know are good for our wellbeing.
Embrace the outdoors
While it might be tempting to hibernate, natural light and fresh air can give our mood a real boost. Perhaps there is a corner of East Lothian you’ve always wanted to explore, or a place you haven’t visited for a long time. Why not check out East Lothian Walks: Top 10 for some ideas.
For more walking inspiration, you can download the free Go Jauntly app. The app features local walks created by people who know and love them in areas including Musselburgh, Pencaitland, Dunbar, Haddington, Prestonpans, Cockenzie and North Berwick.
Stay active, stay happy
Did you know enjoyleisure.com provides council employees with discounted rates for swimming, entry into the health suite (steam room/sauna) and Bodyworks Gym. Staff also receive a concession rate for activities such as badminton and squash. To receive the discount, present your council Staff Identification Pass or a current pay slip to the receptionist at the time of paying.
Warm Places, Friendly Faces
If staying cosy is more your thing, East Lothian has a number of community-run buildings where you can meet people and take part in activities warm, welcoming spaces. There are meet-ups for almost any interest you can think of – knitting, film, reading, dancing or simply a 'brew and a blether'.
Spring is just around the corner…
When a colleague has cancer
World Cancer Day was on 4 February 2025.
One in two people will experience cancer at some point in their lives.
We may find ourselves working alongside someone who is undergoing cancer treatment or indeed be facing this ourselves.
How do we cope with work during these times?
How do we help colleagues when they have cancer?
A short podcast called 'When a Colleague Has Cancer' discusses these issues.
When a Colleague has Cancer - WATCH & GO from Scott Bradbury in association with East Lothian Council
Reminder: Organisational Development have a range of digital learning resources on a variety of workplace issues available from Scott Bradbury. You can find these on our dedicated intranet page.
Make room for kindness - skills challenge
There should always be room for kindness in the workplace.
People who care about others build strong and trusting relationships and achieve more.
Being aware of the needs of your colleagues, regardless of their position in the company, is the first step in enabling space for it.
A Skills Challenge called Make Room for Kindness is available from Scott Bradbury; to help you assess the kindness you both offer and receive at work.
Make Room for Kindness - Skills Challenge
Reminder: Organisational Development have a range of digital learning resources on a variety of workplace issues available from Scott Bradbury. You can find these on our dedicated intranet page.
Please note that not all the videos referenced in the skills challenges are available in the current Scott Bradbury subscription, but users can still undertake the main skills challenge within each.
Updating your learnPro profile
LearnPro users can update their own account profile information by logging in and selecting the red ‘Profile’ tab. Any information requiring update can be amended and saved in this section.
For example, if an employee moves to a new team within the council, they can access their own learnPro account and select their new location and role within their Profile to reflect this. All East Lothian Council learnPro users are responsible for ensuring that their own account information is accurate.
Top Tip: If the email address which you set up your learnPro account with becomes redundant, it remains active as the username on your learnPro account. You can still use it to log in to learnPro along with your chosen password. You can then update the email address within your Profile to your active one.
Video guidance for East Lothian Council staff on learnPro FAQs, including how to update a Profile, is available on the intranet. This resource can help users to resolve basic learnPro issues at a time that works for them.