As LGBT Pride month draws to a close, we talk to members of the University’s LGBT+ Staff Network about the network’s role at the University, the importance of Pride, and why inclusion is so important in the workplace.

Contributors include: Jules Andreae, Operations Officer for the Information Services Operations Team; Anne-Marie Baker, the University’s Athena SWAN Project Manager; Bob McKay, Student Success Project Manager, Kent Business School; and Jan Moriarty, Student Success Project Manager at Kent.

What are the aims of the Kent LGBT+ Staff Network?

Bob: I think we have a number of roles – there’s the social/community element, such as organising network lunches and events for people to get together, but there’s also the role of being a ‘critical friend’ to the institution, ensuring that issues with LGBT+ equality are challenged and making sure that queer staff have a voice which is heard.

Jan: We also act as a first point of contact on issues around employment for LGBT+ staff and the impact of new policies and legislation on the LGBT+ community at Kent.

Jules: And we’re a visible point of contact for colleagues who need support or a friendly face to relate to.

What is the Network currently working on?

Jan: Stonewall’s new Workplace Equality Index has just been released, so we’ll be taking a look at that over the summer.

Jules: Members continuously engage with different departments and EDI (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion) teams in their departments.

Bob: We speak to central University leadership teams as well – we’ve recently been speaking to the VC about the University’s response to the government’s reported roll-back on reforms to the Gender Recognition Act 2004, which is a big step backwards for the rights of trans and non-binary people in the UK. We’re also looking forward to the end of lockdown and some events that we might be able to organise for the LGBT+ staff community once we’re able to see one another in person again!

Who can join the Network?

Bob: Anyone! Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans or other… and even straight colleagues! If you identify as LGBT+ or you’re an ally, the Network is ready to welcome you!

Why might someone want to join the Network?

Jan: For me, it’s about representation. We all (staff and students) need to know there’s someone out there whose experiences may be similar to our own. Some of us have to be visible to make that possible. However, I totally understand that some prefer not to be. Even if someone doesn’t want to take an active role, being a member is a good way to keep in touch.

Anne-Marie: One of the reasons I joined the network was because I believe it is important to have visible LGBT colleagues – this was certainly a big help for me when I first started work.

Jules: Growing up as LGBT+, people can be made to feel “less than” or shameful about who they are. The LGBT+ Staff Network gives a community for people to feel pride in who they are, as well as a place to press for changes to make sure the University keeps improving so that it becomes a place all staff can feel pride at work, equally.

How can people join the LGBT+ Staff Network?

Bob: Just drop us an email at lgbtstaffnetwork@kent.ac.uk.

Jules: If you log in to lists.kent.ac.uk, and search for ‘lgbt’ you’ll be able to see the staff network mailing list and subscribe to update emails. You can also join our new Team on MS Teams, by clicking here or by clicking Join or Create a Team from within Teams and then using the code skd6691.

What’s it like working at Kent as an LGBT+ person?

Jan: The various communities represented by the LGBT+ acronym will experience Kent in different ways. We are a diverse community and we have very different challenges. There’s still a lot of educating to do.

Anne-Marie: I decided to be out at work many years before I joined Kent and perhaps it had become a bit of a “so what” for me. The LGBT+ community does have a voice at Kent and it’s been good to be part of that to progress LGBT inclusivity so that others feel supported to be themselves.

Jules: I believe the University is a good place to work. I believe improvements are needed and we should always strive to improve in our areas of the university and push the University to be a leader for inclusivity and equality.

Bob: Honestly, it’s the first place I’ve ever been able to bring my whole self to work. That doesn’t mean it’s perfect by any means… but I love being able to be myself at Kent.

Having trouble with Teams? Want to dive into Delve?

Come to a drop-in session (via Teams) on Wednesday 1 July 10.00-11.00, or any Wednesday thereafter.

James Cordery, IT Trainer, Tim Jenkins who’s an avid user, and a member of our IT Service Desk will be on hand to answer any queries you may have. Ask them about any of the Microsoft 365 tools, and they’ll do their best to share what they know.

If you don’t want to wait for a drop-in session:

• Use our Microsoft 365 guides and Microsoft 365 FAQs
• Contact us via online chat, call 01227 82 4888 or email helpdesk@kent.ac.uk

The University appreciates that this is a difficult time for all staff as we respond to the significant challenges presented by Covid-19. In recognition of this, and to provide some much needed time for recuperation, our Executive Group may, from time to time, grant additional rest days. The latest of these were announced this week and, for most of us, will be taken on Thursday 9 and Friday 10 July.

These rest days are fully paid and are in addition to annual leave. We want you to spend some time away from work with your families and to look after your own wellbeing. Please talk to your manager who will facilitate and coordinate requests for taking these days off.

Wherever possible, the rest day should be taken on the designated day, or in the designated week. However, to retain flexibility and accommodate as many staff as possible, especially those providing essential services on campus, individuals can agree with their line manager to take the rest day on another day within two weeks of the original date.

If you work part-time, you will receive a day’s leave regardless of the number of hours you work. If the designated day is on a day you don’t normally work, you can agree a suitable day with your line manager within two weeks of the original date.

It is important that academic staff take a break from work too so, if you are not taking annual leave during the vacation and working normally, you should take the rest day.

Rest days will not apply for staff employed on timesheet contracts who generally work a limited number of hours each week. However, if you are working full-time on a timesheet contract, please enter a rest day on your timesheet and you will be paid for this. You will also need to agree the day off with your manager.

The rest days are an ad-hoc thank you from the University to let you know how much your efforts are appreciated and there are no plans to make them a regular feature.

Find out more

For further information, including who’s eligible for the rest days, see the FAQs on the HR webpages.

Office 365 has been renamed Microsoft 365, and some new tools and features are available.

Video sharing, Forms and new features in Teams

Stream, available from Wed 24 June, offers video recording, Teams meetings recording, online video storage and sharing. Any recordings you make in Teams will automatically save into Stream with a link from your Teams channel.

Forms now available: use it to quickly build simple forms and short online polls.

Teams improvements:

• See up to 9 people at once on the screen (49 people view is coming later this year)
• You can upload your own background image: see the branding web pages for a choice of Kent images you could use
• If you record a Teams meeting, all participants are emailed a link to the video

Skype for Business will go in July

Skype for Business will be retired from use at the University in July 2020. Microsoft plan to withdraw the service, as Microsoft Teams offers the same chat and screen sharing functionality with much more. We’ll send a reminder in July.

Directory (Delve) tips

To find someone’s Kent username, look in the Outlook Address Book when creating a new email. The username is under a field called Alias. You can search for people in Delve by username.

To easily view directory information within Teams, add the Who app in Teams.

Check email accessibility in Outlook online

When composing an email from outlook.office365.com, in the top menu (to the right of the Send/Attach links) click the ellipses … , then click Check for accessibility issues.

Help and support

If you have any questions about any of the Microsoft 365 tools:

• Join a drop-in session. Save this link in your calendar: Wed 1 July 10.00-11.00: weekly drop-in
• Use our Microsoft 365 guides and Microsoft 365 FAQs
• Contact us via online chat, call 01227 82 4888 or email helpdesk@kent.ac.uk

The E-Learning Team are delighted to announce the launch of the Digitally Enhanced Education – A Guide to Teaching Online course. The course has been put together by the E-Learning Team, with contributions from academic colleagues, students, Information Services, the Library and Student Support and Wellbeing.

This course has been designed to help academic colleagues from around the institution to transition part or all of their teaching online. We would encourage all academic colleagues to engage with this course and to make use of the materials we have provided.

The course is divided into themes and topics and, whilst there is a natural pathway through the course, the individual sections can be viewed and undertaken in isolation, in any sequence and at a time of your choosing.  All staff have been automatically enrolled, so you can access it straight away. Live webinars will be provided to supplement this course and will be advertised in the coming weeks.

If you have any comments or suggestions, please do feel free to get in touch via elearning@kent.ac.uk

As the Covid-19 situation is progressing and the Government guidance continues to change as lockdown restrictions are eased, individuals may be feeling anxious about going out and whether it safe to do so. Mental Health support during times like these are paramount, which is why Care First have worked hard  to ensure their services remain available 24/7 throughout the pandemic to provide emotional and practical support and ensure they have every aspect of your overall wellbeing covered.

 Care First are still providing webinars for you to sign up to, here’s the schedule for w/c 22 June:

Monday 22 June 2020 –‘‘How Care first services link together to support your overall wellbeing’

Time:  14.00 -14.30 – To register click on this Go webinar link

Tuesday 23 June 2020 – ‘Top Tips for writing a C.V’

Time: 13.00 – 13.30 – To register click on this Go to webinar link 

Wednesday 24 June 2020  – ‘The Psychological impact of COVID-19’

Time: 14.00 – 14.45 – To register click on this Go to webinar link 

Thursday 25 June 2020 – ‘Social Media, safeguarding and young people’

Time: 11.00 -11.30 – To register click on this Go to webinar link

Friday 26 June 2020 –  ‘Top tips for a ‘fitter’ financial
future following lockdown’

Time: 12.00 – 12.45 – To register click on this Go webinar link 

Don’t suffer in silence. Kent Sport Physiotherapy Clinic is available for any of your aches and pains with our free initial online consultations.

Some may think that an online consultation is not worthwhile due to the lack of manual therapy, but there are still lots of benefits to be gained from them. Here is a list of some of the injuries and problems we have been able to help people with:

•       Shoulder and neck pain due to different work station positions

•       Elbow and wrist pain due to extra gardening time

•       Elbow and wrist pain due to more computer work

•       Patella tendon flare ups due to increased running volumes in lock down

•       Marathon runners concerned about how to maintain fitness

•       Shin splints and medial tibial stress syndrome

Not all injuries have been treatable through online consultations, however, using assessment tools in different ways has helped narrow down a potential diagnosis such as an ACL tear, meniscal tear and FAI and led to referrals and scans to the appropriate people.

Vicky helped me with my shoulder pain and repetitive strain by asking questions around the topic and learning that it also related to my neck. With the help of the exercises she gave me, plus a follow-up appointment, I have a toolkit to ward off these problems in future.

– Sandra Virgo

During lockdown, there has been expanding waiting lists and having that referral letter written by a physiotherapist to send to the GP could help with being referred for a scan or further treatment.

The Kent Sport Physiotherapy Clinic is still offering free initial 20-minute online or telephone consultations with Vicky Annis, lead Physiotherapist. Consultations are open to all, whether you have used the clinic previously or not; and whether you are a student or staff member at the University of Kent or from the wider community. To book, please email: physio@kent.ac.uk.

Keynes college launched their Virtual Festival of Arts between the 15 May – 5 June, with the aim to engage with students, create something uplifting and feel a sense of community, in what has been a difficult time for us all.

The response was phenomenal, with over 90 students entering across the University, with the hope that sometime next academic year, they’ll be a post-lockdown major exhibition in Keynes. There were 3 overall winners, who won cash prizes and will have the opportunity for their creation to be permanently displayed in Keynes.

Here are the 3 main winners:

In FIRST place, we have Silvia-Raisa Simeria’s digital visualisation ‘Hometown’.

She describes her work: ‘my visualisation attempts to recreate a seer looking into a crystal ‘cube’. The cube can be seen to represent the fixed and rigid aspects of the lockdown. The inside creatively represents some of the activities that I feel the seer and all of us long for within lockdown’.

In SECOND place, is Katie Roger’s music composition ‘Nocturne in D flat’, which she composed during lockdown. This piece is soothing, emotive and beautifully executed – a mindful moment for us all.You can listen to this piece via this Facebook page.

Winning THIRD place, is Jess Patrick’s ‘Four Walls’, poetry combined with photography, which explores the isolation people are experiencing in lockdown.

She describes it as a shared experience that can and will be conquered. We particularly like how the piece tells a story of lockdown that may resonate with many of us, expressing frustrations, sadness and ultimately hope.

One of Bethany Chater’s (Masters Officer. & College Support Co-ordinator)  favourites, is this:

The sculpture, called ‘Let that sink in!’ is by Mila Morelli and it won a highly commended award of ‘Best Contemporary Sculpture’. The artist said: ‘Because no amount of hand-washing can remove the fear and uncertainty that currently bubbles beneath the surface of society.’

You can enjoy viewing all of the entries via the virtual gallery on Virtual Festival of Arts Instagram page.

The entries and announcements of the highly commended winners can also be viewed on the Keynes Facebook page.

The College Life Team is also proud to present their newsletter which went out to all Keynes students and Alumni, during lockdown. You can access all the issues here, and enjoy some delicious recipes, exercise regimes, and guess the year of the golden oldie photos!

Happy reading!