Pleasure and leisure

Civil Service Motoring Association (CSMA)

As an employee of SQA you are entitled to join the CSMA. CSMA helps members and their families get more for their money and more out of life, through a range of money saving motor, leisure and financial benefits, all for just £18 a year. The many benefits to joining the CSMA are covered on the website, but include vehicle breakdown cover, discounted servicing and parts, savings on insurance, financial services and savings through travel agents on foreign holidays.

• www.csma.uk.com

Civil Service Sports Council

Staff at SQA are also entitled to partake in any of the activities provided by the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC) as well as benefiting from the use of their facilities. The CSSC was founded to co-ordinate sporting activities throughout the Civil Service and associated public sector bodies. CSSC currently has 160,000 members and provides for serious sports people as well as those who are less competitive. Membership starts at £2.60 per month and allows you to access sporting programmes and leisure activities organised by CSSC, as well as giving you national and local discounts on admissions to a variety of attractions, discounts on travel, hotels and more.

• www.cssc.co.uk

Informal Committee

The Informal Committee organises fundraising and social activities within SQA. It is composed of members of staff and, along with co-ordinating SQA's fund-raising activities, negotiates reduced rates for theatres in Edinburgh and Glasgow and the Hilton Hotel Group.

Wine and words

SQA's Wine Club invites members, for a minimal attendance fee, to monthly wine tasting and buffet. The club is educational and fun and is run by SQA's resident Oenologist. The Book Group is another opportunity for staff to meet socially and also discuss their favourite book titles.