Connection and Community

A CULTURE THAT FOSTERS CONNECTION AND BELONGING.

It's easy to rush through life without noticing what’s going on around us – but taking time to connect with those around you can make a real difference.

��ɫ�� offers a variety of activities and support services to help staff engage connect, build relationships, and look after their wellbeing. Whether you’re looking to meet new people, explore new interests, or access support, there’s something for everyone.

Staff can stay updated with the latest events and sessions through the . Booking details and event updates are also included in the weekly Staff Round Up newsletter.

Find more information below on events and activities designed to foster connection and community at Queen’s.

Volunteering

Make a difference

Queen’s staff have access to a number of volunteering projects. Volunteering provides professional development opportunities for staff and also makes an important contribution to the local community in which we work and live by engaging with children and young people and supporting the regeneration of deprived communities.

For more information, please email wellbeing@qub.ac.uk

Listed below are the volunteering projects that staff can get involved in.

*Before signing up, staff must seek approval from their line manager, outlining how the volunteering opportunity will help support their professional development.

PROJECT	DETAILS	COMMITMENT
Time to Read	A literacy programme in which volunteers dedicate time to read with two Key Stage 2 children (8–10 years old). Contact Ciara.mulgrew@bitcni.org.uk	One hour per week during term time.
Digital Learning Day	Formerly known as Silver Surfer’s Day, this will be taking place in libraries across Northern Ireland on 19 April. Volunteers will be delivering one-to-one bite-size sessions to members of the public, helping them to get online, use digital services and make the most of their devices. For more information and to register your details please contact angela.mccartney@bitcni.org.uk.	Full or half day.
Practical Volunteering Opportunities	We run a number of volunteer action days throughout the year. Why not get together with a team of colleagues and support a local charity on the following dates: 16 March – Be a Saint 18 May – Give & Gain 28 September – Love Your Landscape Day Contact angela.mccartney@bitcni.org.uk for more details and to register your interest.	Full day
Work Inspiration	Delivering a careers talk, hosting an open day or providing a week of work experience. Visit for more information.	One hour, one day or one week.

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Choir

Sing and connect

Singing in a choir is a fantastic way to boost your wellbeing—physically, emotionally, and mentally. And when you sing as part of a group, those benefits are even greater! The Wellbeing Choir brings people together from across the university to enjoy uplifting songs from a range of genres, including blues, pop, Americana, gospel, and world music.

Contact wellbeing@qub.ac.uk to join ��ɫ�� Staff Wellbeing Choir.

Staff Wellbeing Choir performing on stage in the Whitla Hall for the Staff Excellence Awards 2022

Spotlight on our Choir Members

BLOG: ��ɫ�� Staff Wellbeing Choir: "The joy that singing brings"

"It's not the quality of my voice that matters, it's the joy that singing brings."

Read Patrick's experience here

PRISM LGBT+ Staff Network

Supporting ��ɫ�� LGBT+ Community

Launched in November 2018, the purpose of PRISM is to provide a safe, welcoming space for LGBT+ staff in ��ɫ�� to regularly meet during work hours, to discuss LGBT+ issues, work matters and to plan social events both on and off campus.

Find out more and join the PRISM LGBT+ network here.

Parents Network

A network for staff with caring responsibilities

The Parents Network is an inclusive, welcoming group set up in September 2022 to offer a virtual space in which staff with parenting responsibilities can provide a support network to each other and share advice.

Find out more and join the Parents Network here.

mother/woman working on laptop with father/partner playing with young child in background

Postdocs Parents Network

Supporting Postdocs balancing research and family life

Are you a postdoc balancing research and family life? Do you want to connect with other postdoc parents and help shape a supportive community?

The Postdoc Parents Network provides a space for postdoctoral researchers to connect with peers and share advice, challenges and support one another.

Find out more here.

Carers Network

Connecting and supporting staff

Supported by , this Network provides working carers with the opportunity to come together and share experiences, discuss issues, ask questions and arrange informal catch-ups. Any member of staff wanting to make contact with the network should email Wellbeing at ��ɫ��.

Find out more and join the network here.

Spotlight on our Carers

BLOG: Being a Staff Carer at ��ɫ��

“CONNECT [carers network] is all set up to be supportive; it's fun, and the people are all nice, so I'd say to anyone that you'd be glad you've joined.”

Read Tom's story here

Staff Disability Support Network

A network for staff who have a disability or long-term condition

The Staff Disability Support Network was established in 2020 as an opportunity to improve the experience of disabled staff through peer support and shared experiences, to raise awareness and feedback to the University on relevant matters.

Find out more and join the Staff Disability Support Network here.

'iRise' BAME and International staff network

Supporting international staff

Established in June 2019, iRise promotes the University as a welcoming place to work for BAME and International staff and represents the interests of BAME and International staff to the University.

Aerial view of the Lanyon Building at Queen’s University Belfast during twilight.

Staff Networks

Join one of our many Staff Networks

Queen’s staff networks connect colleagues, celebrate diversity, and offer a friendly space to share ideas and support each other.

Find out more

Chaplains and Religious Representatives

Reflection, support, and community

Chaplains and other religious representatives are appointed by the University to represent and serve students and staff. The chaplaincy centres provide a focus for weekday or Sabbath worship, a range of social events and activities, groups for prayer or study, in addition to pastoral care and counselling - helping to build a strong and supportive university community.

Find out more here.

Member of staff (male) talking to a female student

Staff Mediation

Providing care and support for staff

The University seeks to ensure all individuals are treated fairly and with “dignity and respect” (Equality and Diversity Policy). This commitment applies to everyone who works at the University.

The University has introduced an Internal Staff Mediation Service to provide an informal way of quickly and effectively resolving conflict within the workplace and embedding a positive organisational culture.

To request mediation, an email should be sent to mediation@qub.ac.uk.

For additional information, please email wellbeing@qub.ac.uk

More information

Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process, facilitated by an impartial third party (Internal Mediators), which staff can access as required. A group of employees, who are representative of all staff categories within the University, have completed an accredited training course that has equipped them with skills they need to mediate successfully in the workplace.

Once a request for mediation is issued, one of the mediation coordinators will make contact and if the circumstances are considered right for mediation, the coordinator will appoint suitable mediator(s) to progress the arrangements, liaising directly with the participants.

It is expected that the mediation process can be completed in one day. It consists of:

1. Separate Meeting

The mediator(s) will meet parties separately. The aim of this first meeting is to allow each individual involved to tell their story and find out what they want out of the process.

2. Joint Meeting

The mediator brings the parties together and they both offer their account of the situation uninterrupted. They will then, guided by the mediator, explore the issues and then come up with an agreement on how to move forward.

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People and Culture