Staff & Recruitment

Sometimes it can feel embarrassing talking about periods – but periods are normal. You are entitled to ask for the help that you need to experience good menstrual health and wellbeing.

Everyone experiences periods differently, but it’s important to know what isn’t ‘normal’. If you have any concerns, pain or discomfort during your period, there’s lots of help available. You don’t have to suffer.

New for 2024: eLearning Module on Menstrual Health

Periods: What’s normal

What you need to know about irregular periods

How can you manage PMS symptoms?

Periods are normal – but what’s a normal period?

This webinar covers the basics of menstruation, focusing on what is ‘normal’ in terms of periods and examples of period stigma, as well as common symptoms such as heavy bleeding, irregularity and how to manage symptoms.
Panel: Dr Jackie Maybin (the University of Edinburgh)
Alice Brooks (Women’s Health Plan Lived Experience Group)

Everything you need to know about PMS

This webinar focuses on Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and includes advice on managing both the physical and emotional symptoms that many experience on the run up to their period.
Panel: Dr Ellie Golightly (NHS Lothian),
Gill Meens (Mental Health Foundation Scotland)

PCOS mythbusting

This webinar busts some common myths about the condition Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), explains more about the common symptoms associated with the condition as well as when and how to discuss with healthcare professionals.
Panel: Professor Colin Duncan (the University of Edinburgh),
Professor Anna Glasier (Scotland’s Women’s Health Champion)

Endometriosis is a long-term (chronic) condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb is found elsewhere in the body. It’s very common, affecting around 1 in 10 of those who menstruate. For some people, it can have a significant impact on their physical health, emotional well-being, and daily routine.

Endometriosis : A hidden condition

Endometriosis UK is the national charity committed to providing support services, reliable information and a community for those affected by endometriosis

A recent webinar from EXPPECT Edinburgh on being newly diagnosed in Scotland, what is endometriosis, the diagnosis journey and pain management is available to view below:

Past webinars on a variety of topics are also available

Understanding endometriosis

This webinar offers the opportunity to learn more about endometriosis, the common symptoms associated with the condition, when and how to discuss with healthcare professional and how to manage symptoms.
Panel: Professor Andrew Horne (the University of Edinburgh),
Julie Burns (Endometriosis Support Group Ayrshire),
Vicky Chapman (Endometriosis Support Group Dundee)

Further resources from Endometriosis UK:

• Pain management for endometriosis information booklet (pdf)
• Endometriosis symptom checker

This Conversation Café toolkit provides resources to facilitate conversations, and encourage information sharing and peer support on areas within women’s health. The toolkit is a guide for delivery, which can be used flexibly by organisations, community groups, employee groups or with friends to set up, host and evaluate an independent Café.

For more information on how to access and use the toolkit, and the accompanying resource hub:

• Conversation Cafe toolkit for promoting positive discussion on women’s health – Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (alliance-scotland.org.uk)
• Conversation Cafe resource hub – Policy and research (alliance-scotland.org.uk)

For any questions about this or additional information on the Conversation Café toolkit please email:  whp@alliance-scotland.org.uk

Mythbusting women’s heart health – Webinar recording

The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) in partnership with the Scottish Government, hosted a webinar exploring women’s heart health.

Heart disease is a major cause of ill health and death for women in Scotland, and certain risk factors may have more of an impact on women’s risk of heart disease than men’s. Despite this, the awareness of women’s experience of heart conditions is limited and heart disease in women is not commonly represented.

We understand that choosing the right place to live is just as important as choosing the right job. Many people who have moved from abroad to Scotland have been attracted by the opportunity to enhance their quality of life.

We are aware you will ask yourself many questions and do a lot of research before making your final decision to move to Scotland.

Scotland’s people are well known for being warm, welcome and friendly. Scotland is a home to over five million people, and it is estimated that for every person living in Scotland, another five people living across the world have Scottish ancestry. With such wide connections spreading to every corner of the globe, it is no wonder that overseas visitors are made to feel like they are returning home!

As a place to live, the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area has many attractions. The West of Scotland combines cosmopolitan charm, lush countryside and soothing seaside. Culturally diverse, architecturally stunning and historically rich, this vibrant region is home to innovation, celebration and the largest city in Scotland – Glasgow.

As Scotland’s most populous region, the West of Scotland is home to approximately two million people. In addition to the city of Glasgow, East and West Dunbartonshire, Inverclyde, Ayrshire, North and South Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire make up this captivating and eclectic part of the country.

This is a region of striking contrast. Larger areas like Glasgow are within easy reach of picturesque towns, villages and some of Scotland’s most scenic beaches, captivating wildlife and tranquil countryside.

Glasgow

• One of the highest ranking cities in the UK for quality of life (Mercer, 2012)
• Top 5 best cities in the world (Time Out, 2022)
• The world’s friendliest city (Time Out Index, 2022)

Glasgow is multicultural, magnificent and brimming with personality. Scotland’s largest city is home to nearly 600,000 people. Discover rich history, stunning architecture and the best shopping in the UK outside London.

This aptly-named ‘Dear Green Place’ blends the best of urban-living with the splendour of lush gardens and parks. Impressively, the city boasts more green space per square mile than any other UK city.

With some of the biggest and brightest businesses Scotland has to offer, in addition to enjoying the scenery, you can explore the many great career opportunities the city offers.

Offering the best of both worlds, Glasgow is close to breath taking countryside offering up nearby hill walking, sailing, and cycling. Some of the world’s greatest golf courses are all within an hour’s drive of the city. And this bustling city’s arts and culture, nightlife and food are hard to surpass.

Home to over 133,000 students from around the world, Greater Glasgow and Clyde has world-renowned universities and award-winning colleges.

Universities

At this level, students undertake degree-level education that usually requires four years to complete. Students only gain qualification at the end of this period.

Degree courses at Scottish universities cover academic subjects, while some can be vocational. Universities in Scotland encourage a greater level of independence, with the student primarily responsible for their own learning.

Today, Scottish universities are leading the way in innovations in areas such as life sciences, medical research, biotechnology, and environmental sciences. Glasgow is home to six world-renowned universities:

• University of Glasgow
• Glasgow Caledonian University
• University of Strathclyde
• University of West of Scotland
• The Glasgow School of Art
• The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Colleges

College courses are considered to be more vocational, with studies predominantly leading straight into employment within a specific industry. There are a number of course levels such as a Higher National Certificate (one year to complete) or a Higher National Diploma (two years to complete).

Each level offers a certified qualification. This means college students have something to show for each year of work.

Colleges work in partnership with local authorities and employers to deliver high quality Modern Apprenticeship (MA) programmes – over 10,000 college students are currently in MA programmes.

Not only do colleges work in partnership with employers to prepare students for work, some also have arrangements with universities to allow fast track degree entry. Glasgow is home to five exceptional colleges:

• City of Glasgow College
• Glasgow Kelvin College
• Glasgow Clyde College
• West College Scotland
• Trinity College Glasgow

The region’s excellent transport links mean you’re connected to the rest of the UK – and the world.

The M8 motorway connects the West with the rest of Scotland, taking just under an hour to drive between the country’s major cities Glasgow and Edinburgh, a well-used commuter’s route.

The bus is an effortless way to get around because it’s inexpensive and widely available across the region – even in remote locations. Glasgow has the UK’s largest suburban rail network outside London.

An abundance of stations and travel times makes exploring the region by train an easy option. The rail network links both rural areas and cities with the rest of Scotland and the wider UK.

From Ardrossan, Gourock, Wemyss Bay and Oban you can also travel by ferry to many of Scotland’s western isles.

Glasgow has access to two international airports (Glasgow and Prestwick Airports) which connect the region with the rest of the UK and beyond. There are approximately 200 flights per day (pre-pandemic levels) from Glasgow international airport alone, ready to fly to over 90 destinations like London, Dubai and New York.

The best of the city-living, magnificent countryside and an opportunity to work in some of Scotland’s most exciting industries means this region is a hugely popular place to live and work.

Whether you are renting or buying, Greater Glasgow and Clyde offers a superb selection of housing. Here you’ll have your choice of apartments on the River Clyde, spacious Victorian flats in the West End and family homes in leafy suburbs conveniently located near to schools.

Renting a property

If you don’t want to buy a property straight away, renting in Glasgow is relatively straightforward and cost-effective. Glasgow offers excellent tenancy rights to make sure that you’re safe, your deposit is treated fairly and the property is looked after.

You can rent a property through a housing association, a private landlord or a letting agency and there are usually lots of flat shares available in Glasgow.

Buying a property

If you’re interested in buying a property in Glasgow then the great news is that house prices here are, on average, lower than anywhere else in the UK!

In recent times house prices in Glasgow have also dropped, making it a buyer’s market. In Glasgow, most properties are sold through estate agents or solicitors (lawyers). However, you can also buy privately through the owner of the property, though you will still need a solicitor to handle the legal work.

Scotland’s reputation when it comes to the weather is well-known, and slightly unfair. The weather in Scotland actually tends to be quite moderate and changeable, but is rarely extreme. You might experience ‘four seasons in one day’, but travel 20-30 minutes in any direction and the weather is generally completely different! There’s no bad time of year to live in Scotland, with plenty to see and do regardless of the elements. After all, as the old saying goes, ‘there is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes’!

Spring (March, April, May)

• Average temperature – 4°C-12°C
• Average hours of daylight – 13 hours
• Average rainfall – 48mm
• One word forecast – ‘Mochie’: warm, moist weather (‘it’s a wee bit mochie ootside’)

Summer (June, July, August)

• Average temperature – 11°C-18°C
• Average hours of daylight – 17 hours
• Average rainfall – 72mm
• One word forecast – ‘Stoater’: fantastic (‘it’s a stoater of a day th’day’)

Autumn (September, October, November)

• Average temperature – 7°C-13°C
• Average hours of daylight – 11 hours
• Average rainfall – 52mm
• One word forecast – ‘Oorlich’: damp and chilly (‘it’s gey oorlich oot there’)

Winter (December, January, February)

• Average temperature – 2°C-7°C
• Average hours of daylight – 8 hours
• Average rainfall – 57mm
• One word forecast – ‘Jeelit’ – freezing (‘it’s fair jeelit outside’)