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Life is a risky business with implications for our financial wellbeing. Living longer, working later, career flexibility, and evolving family formations, mean that our financial futures are shaped not only by the decisions we make about our money, but increasingly by the decisions we make about our life.

Join this interactive session with Jane Portas to find out about financial life in the UK, differences in people’s financial life journeys, how financial gaps arise between men, women, and other groups, and what Covid-19 means for all of our financial futures.

Jane will talk about how our mindsets influence our financial life, and introduce “6 Moments That Matter”, which bring together our money and our life, and help us to consider the steps we can take at home, at work and in society to build a secure and fair financial future for everyone.

This event is open to all staff and students.

Jane Portas is a financial expert, author of The Risks in Life Series of award-winning insight reports and financial wellbeing guides, and the creator of 6 Moments That Matter, a unique life-stage approach to help people and organisations to improve fair financial futures. Now a portfolio director, she is a former ‘big 4’ professional services partner where for 30 years she advised financial services firms on strategy, governance, risk, regulation, and customer matters. She is a member of Women’s Business Council, advisor to the charity Surviving Economic Abuse, and a co-founder of Insuring Women’s Futures.

The session will be facilitated by Jenny Rampling, Chair of the University of Cambridge Women’s Staff Network, member of the Women in Higher Education Network team and Senior Programme Co-ordinator, ourcambridge.

Academics considering applying for promotion under the ACP (Research and Teaching) scheme are invited to attend an event hosted by Professor Kamal Munir, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for University Community and Engagement. The event will:

• provide an overview of the University's Academic Career Path (ACP) (Research and Teaching) procedure;
• answer some of the common questions about academic promotions; and
• outline the ACP CV Mentoring Scheme.

We particularly encourage women and staff identifying as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic to attend as they are currently under-represented at senior academic levels.

Join Clare Hall in a guided (or self-guided) mindful wander and outdoor meditation, enjoying the College’s beautiful grounds and gardens. Mindfulness is about purposely paying attention in the present moment, noticing our surroundings and what we are doing, rather than being caught in thinking about the past or future. You’re warmly invited to take in the sights, sounds and fragrances of Clare Hall’s green spaces this summertime. The guided session will begin with mindful sculpture sketching and tree gazing, before heading over to West Court for a short guided meditation, after which participants will be free to roam our gardens.

Detail on activities:

Mindful sculpture sketching: we will provide paper and pens for a short mindful sketching exercise, in which participants are invited not to look at the paper and to simply look very closely at a sculpture and sketch what they most notice. You may be surprised by your creation!

Tree gazing: walking along Herschel Road we will pause and look carefully at the large, leafy trees, listening to any sounds and wildlife we may notice.

Guided meditation: once at West Court we will lay down or sit on the grass and a Clare Hall staff member will invite attendees to follow a short guided body scan meditation, focusing on the face, shoulders, hands and feet as applicable.

Free to roam: once we have completed the above activities, you are very welcome to wander our gardens and grounds freely, leaving at a time to best suit your schedule.

Self-guided option: You can also enjoy a self-guided wander if you’d prefer to practice mindfulness solo or with your friends. Please sign up via Eventbrite to receive a digital copy of the Mindful Wander guide, or pick up a paper copy from our Porters’ Lodge.

Please wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water or other refreshment with you.

Clare Hall is a college for advanced study at the University of Cambridge, located close to the University Library and neighbouring Robinson College.

Chef and food writer Rosie Sykes in a collaboration with Bea Brown and Cambridge Sustainable Food spends some time talking about all the good things we can eat and cook in July including talking about surplus produce and how to make the most of food.

Rosie Sykes is a chef, writer & consultant. She has worked with some of the leading names in British food. She had her own pub in central London & has helped establish kitchens for restaurants, delis & hotels nationwide. Rosie has written 3 cookery books & now works mainly on community projects.

Loneliness and isolation are increasing in societies all around the world, particularly in young people. Yet, the effects of loneliness on brain function and cognition are not clear. In this talk, Dr Livia Tomova, will present recent findings on how loneliness impacts brain function and cognition in young adults and adolescents. The implications of this research in the light of mental health problems will be discussed.

Dr Livia Tomova, Henslow Research Fellow and Director of Studies for Psychological and Behavioural Studies,

• This module introduces Equality & Diversity at the University

Eton Fives is a hand-ball game, played in a three-sided court. It is only played as "doubles" (i.e. by two teams of two players).

Players wear padded leather gloves, since the ball (which is slightly large than a golf-ball and made of rubber and cork) is quite hard. Eton Fives can also be referred to as a game of hazards! Rugby Fives, first played at Rugby School, is essentially squash with your hands, but far quicker. Different from Eton Fives, it sees all obstacles removed, a back wall added and a lower line to hit the ball above. The ball is almost like a mini baseball and therefore thick padded gloves are essential for this game.

This session, run by the Sports Service Community Sports Coach will give you the opportunity to try your hand at the two versions of the sport. Changing facilities are available on site and participants are asked to wear trainers. The Sports Service will provide gloves.

Homerton's dazzling gardens with over 25 acres of beautiful lawns create a calm, comfortable, and peaceful College environment in Cambridge. You can enjoy the beautiful grounds, orchards, and flowers with head gardener Helen Andre Cripps.

Anxiety and depression is high and we're looking for new ways to take back control of our lives. New ways to become resilient and bounce back. Whether you've been dealt a good or bad hand in life, now is the time to take charge and bounce back to get closer to the life you want.

Dr. Olivia Remes will be sharing tips on overcoming obstacles in life, achieving wellbeing and becoming resilient, based on research. Olivia's research has been featured by the BBC and USA Today. She is also a life coach helping people let go of fear, tackle challenges and reach their goals in life. She is the author of the book, The Instant Mood Fix, which contains strategies for tackling anxiety, procrastination, and indecision, among others - she will be touching on some of these themes in her talk.

Dr. Remes has a PhD in mental health from the University of Cambridge, where she has also worked for the past decade.

You can read more about Dr. Remes here

Professor Barbara J Sahakian and Dr Christelle Langley will present evidence-based methods for improving cognition and wellbeing.

A key focus will be on how to get the perfect night's sleep. Many people have experienced considerable stress over the past couple of years as a result of concerns over climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine and the increased cost of living.

This talk will discuss research showing what you can do to ensure good cognition and wellbeing as well as better physical health.

Professor Barbara J Sahakian - Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology in the Department of Psychiatry.

Dr Christelle Langley - Research Associate in the Department of Psychiatry.

Would you like a better understanding of your current physical health? 

If yes, book in for one of our free ‘Health Checks’ which will take you through some simple, non-invasive tests.

These checks will consist of: -

• Measurement of your height and weight
• Blood pressure test
• Body composition test
• Flexibility test

Please adhere to the following before attending:

• No eating or drinking 4 to 5 hours prior to the test
• No exercise 12 hours prior to the test
• No alcohol or caffeine consumption 24 hours prior to the test
• Wear clothes that allow access to your upper arm (e.g. short sleeved t shirt)

The duration of the health check should be around 20 minutes.

Please note: the results of the health check are not to be taken as firm medical advice. If you have any worries about your health, please consult a medical specialist.

A curated LinkedIn Learning course, provided by the University of Cambridge's subscription to LinkedIn Learning.

The course can be accessed here.

A curated LinkedIn Learning course, provided by the University of Cambridge's subscription to LinkedIn Learning.

The course can be accessed here.

A curated LinkedIn Learning course, provided by the University of Cambridge's subscription to LinkedIn Learning.

The course can be accessed here.

A curated LinkedIn Learning course, provided by the University of Cambridge's subscription to LinkedIn Learning.

The course can be accessed here.

A curated LinkedIn Learning course, provided by the University of Cambridge's subscription to LinkedIn Learning.

The course can be accessed here.

A curated LinkedIn Learning course, provided by the University of Cambridge's subscription to LinkedIn Learning.

The course can be accessed here.

A curated LinkedIn Learning course, provided by the University of Cambridge's subscription to LinkedIn Learning.

The course can be accessed here.

Take a break from looking at your screen and join us for a walk around Madingley Park.

The tour will give you the opportunity to get out into nature and explore more of the University estate including the Capability Brown designed parkland.

Come along to this session for an hour of gentle and inclusive yoga practice, accessible to all body shapes, ages and backgrounds. Don't worry if you have never practiced yoga or are coming back to the mat after some time - everyone is welcome.

Although this session will be held in the gardens, a room will be available in case of inclement weather.

Please wear suitable clothing and bring a mat.

Meeting instructions will be shown on your booking confirmation email.

Come along to this session for an hour of gentle and inclusive yoga practice, accessible to all body shapes, ages and backgrounds. Don't worry if you have never practiced yoga or are coming back to the mat after some time - everyone is welcome.

Although this session will be held in the gardens, a room will be available in case of inclement weather.

Please wear suitable clothing and bring a mat.

Meeting details will be shown on your booking confirmation email.

Our statistics show that men are significantly underrepresented in accessing counselling at the University Staff Counselling Centre and account for only one third of all referrals. Why might this be?

Are there barriers that stop men speaking openly about their emotions and seek professional help and if so, what are they? 

Come and watch an engaging question and answer session with one of our male staff counsellors being interviewed as he grapples with these issues.  There will be plenty of time for questions at the end.

This session is via Zoom. An in-person session will be held on 4 July.

Racketball is the UK’s fastest growing sport!

It is played on any regular squash court and is similar to squash. The fact that the ball is bigger, more bouncy, and does not need warming up means that the rallies last longer. The shorter racket also helps with hand eye coordination making the ball easier to strike. If you fancy giving racketball a try, then come and join us for this taster session.

Changing facilities are available on site and the Sports Service can provide a racket and ball if you need one. Please wear indoor trainers.

If you miss the present moment, you miss your appointment with life. ― Thich Nhat Hanh,

It is easy to rush through the day without noticing our thoughts, feelings and sensations. Mindfulness practice helps us pause and become present, so we get in touch with our authentic experience. We can so easily become entangled in energy draining thoughts that drive our emotions and lead to stress or anxiety. Mindfulness practice helps us notice these thoughts so we can deal with them better. Mindfulness is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). See NHS Mental Health

Esther Hunt is a Lecturer in the Faculty of Education, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Registered Psychotherapist. She has been teaching Mindfulness for 5 years and was instructed by bestselling author Dr Patrizia Collard. She provides sessions for HR staff wellbeing services, school leadership teams, University students, and in the charity sector. Esther presented at the Festival of Wellbeing in 2021.

If you miss the present moment, you miss your appointment with life. ― Thich Nhat Hanh,

It is easy to rush through the day without noticing our thoughts, feelings and sensations. Mindfulness practice helps us pause and become present, so we get in touch with our authentic experience. We can so easily become entangled in energy draining thoughts that drive our emotions and lead to stress or anxiety. Mindfulness practice helps us notice these thoughts so we can deal with them better. Mindfulness is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). See NHS Mental Health

Esther Hunt is a Lecturer in the Faculty of Education, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Registered Psychotherapist. She has been teaching Mindfulness for 5 years and was instructed by bestselling author Dr Patrizia Collard. She provides sessions for HR staff wellbeing services, school leadership teams, University students, and in the charity sector. Esther presented at the Festival of Wellbeing in 2021.