Singing in a choir has physical, emotional and psychological benefits, and these are particularly enhanced when singing as a group. (You can read more about the benefits here.) The QUB Choir leader, Una McCann, will take members through uplifting songs from many genres including blues, pop, Americana, gospel and world music. No prior experience of singing or reading music is necessary as all songs will be taught by ear. Here are some videos of our choir in action.

The Staff Choir rehearses every Friday (except during July and August), between 1pm and 2pm, in the School of Music.

Take notice at lunchtime with a summer walking tour. Queen’s University comprises a rich and diverse 100-acre estate and has a responsibility to ensure it does all it can to protect and enhance biodiversity. Protecting our biodiversity is of vital importance; it provides an essential resource to us as a result of its aesthetic, economic and recreational values. Biodiversity plays a crucial role in our health and wellbeing therefore it is important that we strive to give it the protection it deserves.

There are a number of different tours available:

• Tour of Botanic GardensQueen’s is very lucky to have Botanic Gardens, which boasts a wide variety of biodiversity as well as being home to the Palm House and the Tropical Ravine. Established in 1828, the Gardens have been enjoyed as a public park by the people of Belfast since 1895. Delivered by Belfast City Council.
• Tours of Friar’s Bush GraveyardFriar’s Bush Graveyard (Stranmillis Road) is thought to be Belfast’s oldest Christian burial ground, possibly dating back to pre-Christian times. It also contains the mass grave of hundreds of victims of Belfast’s cholera epidemics. Although burials no longer take place in the cemetery, it is a recognised historical site. This is an amazing opportunity to visit this unique site, as visitor access is usually restricted to certain dates in the year. Delivered by Belfast City Council.
• Tours of Tropical Ravine, Botanic GardensThe Tropical Ravine in Botanic Gardens underwent a £3.8 million restoration, completed in April 2018. The Ravine, first opened to the public in 1889, houses plant species such as the Killarney Fern, orchid, banana, cinnamon and bromeliad. The restored Tropical Ravine includes modern twists such as an innovative state of the art fogging and misting system, a frameless glass façade and interactive and engaging information panels.

Michael Pierse, Lecturer in AEL, has been running an Irish language speakers’ circle for the year at Queen’s, and would like now to extend an invitation to all staff, for an hour of conversation as Gaeilge – in Irish.

Mayte Segura is a freelance dance teacher from Mexico working in Queen’s Sport. Her International Dance Group incorporates dance from all around the world to include: Mexican, Latin American, Polish and Irish. This initiative helps integrate international staff and their families by interacting in a relaxed artistic atmosphere. The Group meets regularly throughout the year, for 4-6 weeks of classes.

As a member of Business in the Community NI, 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.

Listed below are the volunteering projects that you can get involved in. Before signing up, staff are required to seek approval from their line manger, outlining to them how the volunteering opportunity will help support their professional development.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Volunteer Now
• Parks and Open Spaces

The University’s Employee Assistance Programme provides a confidential helpline to staff, which can be accessed at any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This helpline can provide staff with advice on a range of topics, such as:

• addiction or alcohol/substance misuse
• anxiety or depression
• bereavement
• bullying and harassment
• debt problems
• experience of a traumatic event
• family worries
• personal relationship problems
• stress

This list is not exhaustive, so if there is something you are concerned about, whether something you are experiencing yourself, or if you’re concerned about a loved one, then please give them a call.

If needed, staff will be offered additional support, such as face to face/video/telephone counselling.

Call the Freephone number 0800 389 5362 at any time of the day or night, seven days a week.

• Inspire Wellbeing Support Hub

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 in 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. 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.

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

Associated Information

• Mediation Guidelines