The MacMillan coffee morning bake sale was hosted in the Cybercafé.
Pilates
As part of the wellbeing programme, Pilates classes are once again being hosted in the Chemistry of Health meeting room on Wednesday lunchtimes. Regular attendees have formed a friendly and supportive community while at the same time finding a way to stretch, strengthen their body core and relax.
Computer officer Owen Johnson, who is one of the 'regulars', says of the classes: “Part of my chemistry for health, Pilates perfectly punctuates my working week!”
All staff are welcome to sign up for the one-hour classes, which are taught with aplomb by local Pilates expert Frances Rennie from Believe in Pilates in Trumpington. The classes are held on a termly basis and will recommence in February of 2023. Places are limited so if you want to join or find out further information, please email Kathleen Picket at kjp45@cam.ac.uk.
Some of the Pilates class members, clockwise from bottom left (with teacher Frances Rennie in the middle): Caroline Reid, Kathleen Pickett, Chiara Giorio, Sharon Connor, Janet Kumita, Uliana Bashtanova, Jacqui Worster and Stephanie Smith.
Book Club
If the idea of having an entertaining and wide-ranging exchange of ideas, ostensibly about books, is more your thing, you might prefer to join the Book Club, which generally meets every four to six weeks on a Monday over lunch in Room U202. The club has been turning leaves throughout the year from titles such as Bernardine Evaristo’s Girl, Woman, Other and Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet, to thrillers such as Eva Dolan's The Long Way Home. The club will be kicking off 2023 with Stardust by Neil Gaiman. If you are interested in adding your two cents (or two pennyworth) to the discussions, please message Jacqui Worster at jsw42@cam.ac.uk.
Other events
Throughout the year, Wellbeing Advocates Kathleen Pickett and Chung Tu have promoted many other events which support wellness and community in the department, such as the MacMillan coffee morning bake sale, which raised £545 for MacMillan Cancer Support. Thank you to everyone who baked, bought, donated and ate. The donation has gone to support this charity that provides specialist healthcare for people affected by cancer.
Most recently, a Developing Resilience Session was held as an 'antidote to everyday stressors' such as anxiety and burnout, and a Holiday lunchtime quiz got those neurons going and gave great entertainment before Dr Keeler's end of term talk and of course, the long awaited return of the seasonal staff party.
Find out more
If you would like to find out about university-wide sources of support, check out the University's services signposting page, and you can also see the University wellbeing page for key dates in the upcoming year and other useful information.
Christmas quiz (below)
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |