EU referendum - Remember to vote on 23rd June (polls open 7am-10pm)

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Polls for the EU referendum will open tomorrow at 7am and will remain open until 10pm tonight.

Whether or not to stay in the European Union as a member country is one of the biggest decisions Scotland the UK will ever make. It will have huge implications for the UK as a whole and Scotland specifically.

Much has been talked about in the media about immigration of EU citizens to the UK but not a lot has been made of the fact that as a nation Scotland has a well established history of emigration. Throughout the ages Scots have looked to the outside world as an opportunity, we have travelled the world and settled in every corner of the globe as economic migrants.

The economic migrants from the EU are no different, they enrich Scotland and the UK by living here, working here and by contributing to our communities. Most of those who move here are young, healthy and motivated to work so do not use the NHS or benefits to the same degree. The taxes they pay in VAT, Income tax, National Insurance, etc contribute to the tax base which in turn pays for services, pensions and the NHS that a growing percentage of UK citizens rely on. Not only that but many EU migrants work in these very services, the NHS would struggle to function without the doctors, nurses and staff that have come to the UK from the EU.

I believe it is in Scotland's best interests to Remain in the EU and below are many more positive reasons why.

Why being in the EU is good for Scotland's economy

How the EU benefits young people

How the EU benefits women

How the EU benefits workers rights

How being in the EU benefits our environment

How the EU benefits Scotland's families

 

Saying thank you to Natasha Kerr on Volunteers Week

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Saying thank you to Natasha Kerr on Volunteers Week

I was honoured to meet Natasha Kerr from Catrine during Volunteers Week and to thank her for her amazing contribution to volunteering in Kilmarnock and Loudoun. Natasha has devoted over 800 hours to coaching children and young people last year with the Catrine Youth Club, Kilmarnock Harriers and East Ayrshire Vibrant Communities through her Ayrshire College course.

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Setting the record Straight

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Setting the record Straight

This week is Diabetes Awareness Week (Sun 12th to Sat 18th June) and the theme is 'Setting the record Straight'. Many people are aware of the condition but not about how it affects those that have Diabetes.

"...Just about everyone has heard about diabetes. And, with 3.5 million people diagnosed in the UK and a further 549,000 who have the condition but don't yet know it, most of us know a friend or family member living with diabetes. And yet it’s still hugely misunderstood, and there are so many myths and misconceptions out there that this year, the theme is Setting the record straight." 

Find out more about Diabetes, if you are at risk from type 2 Diabetes and how to manage the condition so that it doesn't develop into something more serious and have further health implications.

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Men's Health Week (13th-19th June)

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Men's Health Week (13th-19th June)

Stress is a major factor in both physical and mental health and Men's Health Week (13th-19th June) is focussing on this to highlight how you can reduce stress in your life and cope with it better.

Everyone has stress in their lives to a varying degree and 1 in 4 men will develop a mental health problem. If thats you or you feel stress is getting too much, find out about ways to beat the stress at https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/mhw

https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/beat-stress-chat

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Broon's been Roon the Toon

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Broon's been Roon the Toon

It was the first ever Roon the Toon 10K in Kilmarnock on Sunday and I took part along with around 1400 other runners.  My wife Cindy and my office colleagues came to cheer me on and with their help I managed to complete the 10k road race in a respectable 51 mins and 42 seconds!

Well done to all the runners who took part in the 10K including family friend Megan who ran in memory of her wonderful Gran and my Parliamentary Assistant Neal who raised money for the East Ayrshire Carers Centre.

I raised money for Kieran and Jack in my Roon the Toon fundraiser  and people generously donated £228.75 (£190 before gift aid) to Gain - Guillain-Barre and Associated Inflammitary Neuropathies. 

Thank you to all those who contributed to a great day and a great event that brought over 1400 people into Kilmarnock on a Sunday and turned the town centre a hive of activity in the Doon the Toon festivities.

I hope that the event can become a regular event in future and encourages people in Kilmarnock and Loudoun to think about taking up physical exercise through sport and promotes a healthier lifestyle for everyone.

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Broon's goin Roon the Toon

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Broon's goin Roon the Toon

I am running my first 10k on 12th June as part of the Roon the Toon in Kilmarnock and after meeting Kieran and Jack recently I have decided to raise money for Gain Charity (Guillain-Barre & Associated Inflammatory Neuropathies).

Kieran (10) has lived with this painful and debilitating condition for 2 years and is thankfully now fully recovered but still needs some support and regular 6 monthly check ups.. He and his cousin Jack are now determined to raise awareness of this rare syndrome and fundraise to help others suffering with Guillan-Barre and other debilitating conditions. 

Kieran's cousin Jack has been growing his hair for 2 years for another charity, The Little Princess Trust, but decided that he could raise money for GAIN at the same time through his JustGiving page to support his cousin. Soon Jack will be donating the money raised to GAIN and his hair will be donated as a wig to a little girl who has lost hers because of cancer treatment.

If you want to help me support Kieran you can visit and donate to my Roon the Toon fundraiser or alternatively you can visit Jack's on JustGiving

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Volunteers' Week (1st - 12th June)→

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Volunteers' Week (1st - 12th June)

Organisations across the country are holding events to thank volunteers for their dedication and contribution. Volunteers’ Week officially started on 1st June and will run through to 12th June and is an annual celebration of the millions of volunteers who give up their time in the service of others.

There are a large number of groups and organisations in Kilmarnock and Loudoun, some that I've met recently, that would be unable to function without the tireless work of local volunteers. I am always impressed with the volunteers dedication and selflessness across the board and would like to add my thanks for the good work that they do in their communities.

If you want to find out what’s happening locally or you have an event you want to promote you can find out more through the Volunteers’ Week webpage.

The definition of a volunteer currently used by the Scottish Government is:

‘the giving of time and energy through a third party, which can bring measurable benefits to the volunteer, individual beneficiaries, groups or organisations, communities, environment and society at large.  It is a choice undertaken by one’s own free will, and is not motivated primarily for financial gain or for a wage or salary.’

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Dementia Awareness week (30th May to 5th June)

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Dementia Awareness week (30th May to 5th June)

Alzheimer Scotland is asking everyone to Challenge Dementia as part of their Dementia Awareness Week (30th May to 5th June) and talk about dementia to challenge discrimination, isolation and stigma.

"With over 90,000 people in Scotland living with dementia and the number set to double in a generation, we need to take action now to support those living with the illness along with thousands of partners, carers, family members and friends. By talking about dementia we improve our understanding and we break down the stigma." - Henry Simmons, Chief Executive, Alzheimer Scotland

You can find out more about Dementia Awareness Week at Alzheimer Scotlands webpage. http://www.alzscot.org/

If you or someone you know has Dementia in the Kilmarnock and Loudoun areathe Kilmarnock Dementia Resource Centre can provide information, advice, personalised support services, or activities in your community.

Kilmarnock Dementia Resource Centre,

8-12 College Wynd, Kilmarnock, KA1 1HN

Phone - 01563 542621

Email - AyrshireServices@alzscot.org

 

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Don't forget to register to vote for the EU referendum→

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With the vote on the future of the UK in the European Union just round the corner on the 23rd June its important to register to vote if you haven't already done so. The following information is from http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/

'You can register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. If you don’t have access to the internet, call 0800 3 280 280 for a registration form to be sent to you. You will need to complete the form and post it to your local electoral registration office to arrive by midnight on 7 June 2016.

If you are already registered to vote you will receive a poll card by 25 May 2016.'

Stewarton Academy - S3 Modern Studies visit

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Stewarton Academy - S3 Modern Studies visit

I was delighted to be given the opportunity to talk to the S3 Modern Studies class at Stewarton Academy recently on my role as an MP. The students had prepared a number of questions which related to their coursework and I was impressed with the range of questions that were asked. I was keen to make it clear that although I gave my personal view on the topics they had chosen that I was willing to hear their views as well. It is always important to show that different points of view can be informed, considered and equally as valid and that debating them can add to the understanding of complex issues.

My visit was after the Modern Studies department had held a workshop and a mock election for S4 – S6 pupils, this was to inform those students eligible to vote on the process and what to expect from the Scottish Holyrood election.

I learned that the students were organised into groups and attended a workshop to discuss what qualities and skills their perfect representative would have, what their local policies would be for the local area and their priorities given a budget of £250,000. Each group were given an opportunity to present a ‘party political broadcast’ to the other groups and then vote for the candidate or Party they wanted to represent the Stewarton Academy constituency.

I was impressed that to highlight the importance of registering the process included checking that pupils were registered and if not they were prevented from voting.

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Children’s Hospice Week (23rd to 29th May)

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Children’s Hospice Week (23rd to 29th May)

Children’s Hospice Week is running from 23rd to 29th May. It is the is the UK's only awareness and fundraising week for children with life-shortening conditions, their families and the palliative care services that support them.
I have added my name in support of the Early Day Motion raised in Westminster this week to help raise awareness of groups like ‘Together for Short Lives’ and ‘Children’s Hospice Association Scotland’.
If you would like to support these worthy charitie...s or want to know how you can volunteer you can find out more through the links below.

Together for Shorter Lives - http://www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk/childrenshospiceweek
Children’s Hospice Association Scotland - http://www.chas.org.uk/
Early Day Motion - http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2016-17/54

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Pregnancy and Maternity Discrimination - #powertothebump→

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Pregnancy and Maternity Discrimination - #powertothebump

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has launched ‪#‎powertothebump‬ as part of their ongoing work to tackle pregnancy and maternity discrimination, a digital campaign to help young expectant and new mums understand and use their rights at work.

Their research shows that young mothers are significantly more likely to experience pregnancy and maternity discrimination, with six times as many under 25 year olds reporting being dismissed from their jobs after they tell their ...employer they are pregnant.

It is based on the insight and feedback that shows young women have lower awareness of their rights, were typically in less stable employment situations, and were worried or lacked confidence to talk to their manager about things that were troubling them – and so felt under pressure to hand in their notice or leave their job rather than raise these issues.

For further information and top tips for young mums please visit the Commission's website:

https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/power-bump

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Air Weapon Surrender Scheme (Mon 23rd May to Sun 12th June)

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Air Weapon Surrender Scheme (Mon 23rd May to Sun 12th June)

The Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015 comes fully into effect on 31 December 2016.  The new law will require any person who possesses, purchases, uses or acquires an air weapon to have a certificate to hold them legally. 

It will be an offence not to have a certificate for these purposes from 31 December 2016, unless you are exempt, but from 1 July 2016, you will be able to apply to Police Scotland for a certificate.


Police Scotland will run an Air Weapon Surrender Scheme between Monday 23rd May and Sunday 12th June 2016. Local Police divisions have designated Police Offices where specially trained officers will be on hand to accept and make safe surrendered air weapons.

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Motability and Personal Independence Payments

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Motability and Personal Independence Payments
‘The enhanced rate is critical. The Motability scheme allows those receiving the highest rate of DLA or PIP to lease a suitable adapted vehicle, powered wheelchair or mobility scooter, in return for their weekly award. The Motability scheme is particularly important for enabling disabled people to be independent and to manage their condition. It allows users to participate in social activities and do the things that many of us take for granted, such as being able to continue to care for their children.’ – Alan Brown MP
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World IBD Day (19th May)

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World IBD Day (19th May)

A new survey conducted by patient charity, Crohn’s and Colitis UK, has found that 100,000 patients in the UK with Inflammatory Bowel Disease(IBD) don’t have access to adequate care. IBD Nurses are instrumental in improving the quality of life for patients with IBD as well as helping to cut significant costs to the NHS, yet many health services are not offering the recommended nursing level.

The specialist nurse role provides expert advanced nursing care, being the first point of contact and caring, often during distressing times - coordinating often high cost therapies in a cost effective way - as well as reducing A&E visits, with studies showing that IBD nurses help with a 38% reduction in hospital visits and a 19% reduction in in-patient length of stay. IBD costs the NHS £900 million per year, with the average cost per patient being £3000 per year. These costs are comparable to diabetes or cancer as treatment options can include effective, high cost biological drugs and surgery...

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