Siobhan McMahon MSP wears it pink in Holyrood in aid of Breast Cancer Now

Central Scotland Labour MSP Siobhan McMahon has shown her support for women with breast cancer by dressing up in pink and encouraging her constituents to take part in Breast Cancer Now’s flagship fundraiser, wear it pink, on Friday 23^rd October.

wear it pink, the UK’s biggest pink fundraiser, calls on supporters across the country to ditch the day-to-day colours and pull on some pink to raise money for Breast Cancer Now’s life-saving breast cancer research.

Siobhan McMahon joined fellow parliamentarians in wearing it pink in Holyrood to encourage people across Scotland to get involved. Now in its 14^th year, wear it pink raises over £2 million each year for world-class research into breast cancer, and this year it is back and bigger, brighter and bolder than ever before.

Anyone can take part, whether in school, at work or at home. All you have to do is wear something pink and donate whatever you can.

Siobhan McMahon MSP said:

“Right now breast cancer is at a tipping point. Every year in Scotland around 4,600 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and sadly nearly 1,000 people still lose their lives to the disease. This is why we all must come together to support Breast Cancer Now’s cutting-edge research, and, in wear it pink, there is a fun and simple way for everyone to get involved. 

“Together, we can make a big difference for women with breast cancer, now and in the future; I hope everyone in the local community will join me in wearing it pink on Friday 23 October and show their support for Breast Cancer Now.”

Launched in June 2015 with the ambition of ensuring that no one dies from the disease by 2050, Breast Cancer Now is the UK’s largest breast cancer charity, created by the merger of Breast Cancer Campaign and Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

This is a day when we stand out, stand together and stand for something: wear it pink on Friday 23 October to support Breast Cancer Now’s life-saving research. For more information or to register for wear it pink visit www.wearitpink.org. 

 

About Breast Cancer Now:

• Breast Cancer Now is the UK’s largest breast cancer charity working in Scotland.
• Breast Cancer Now’s ambition is that by 2050 everyone who develops breast cancer will live. The charity is determined to stop women dying from the disease, working in a new, collaborative way and bringing together all those affected by the disease to fund research, share knowledge and find answers.
• Breast Cancer Now’s world-class research is focused entirely on breast cancer. The charity supports nearly 450 of the world’s brightest researchers at more than 20 locations across the UK and Ireland.  In Scotland we support 21 scientists, working on research projects in locations such as Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling. Together, they’re working to discover how to prevent breast cancer, how to detect it earlier and how to treat it effectively at every stage so we can stop the disease taking lives.
• Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in Scotland.  Over 4,600 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and around 1,000 people die from the disease in Scotland each year.
• Breast Cancer Now launched in June 2015, created by the merger of leading research charities Breast Cancer Campaign and Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
• For more information on Breast Cancer Now’s work, visit org or follow us on Twitter or on Facebook.

Siobhan McMahon MSP Meets Malawian Farmer at SCIAF’s 50th Anniversary Reception

With Mary Jackson and Mercy Glyn.

Central Scotland Labour MSP Siobhan McMahon attended the 50^th anniversary reception of the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) at the Scottish Parliament last week.

At the event on September 16th, Ms McMahon met with Mary Jackson and Mercy Glyn, who were visiting SCIAF from Malawi.  Mary is a farmer who benefitted from a SCIAF project and featured in the charity’s record-breaking WEE BOX Lent appeal which raised over £3.4million for its work in some of the poorest countries in the world.  Mercy works with SCIAF to help poor families in Malawi to work their way out of poverty.

The changing climate has made life harder for Mary as she can no longer rely on predictable seasonal rains. SCIAF gave her farm training, seeds and tools to help her cope with the erratic weather. Now Mary can grow more food and earn money to support her family.  Mary is now visiting Scotland to say ‘thank you’ to all the schools, parishes and people who have helped her and many others to work their way out of poverty.

Siobhan McMahon MSP said:

“I was delighted to be able to attend the SCIAF event at Holyrood last week to celebrate their 50^th anniversary. It was fantastic to meet and speak with Mary and Mercy and find out about some of the fantastic work that SCIAF are doing in Malawi.

“I was lucky enough to visit Malawi, a country they call the ‘Warm Heart of Africa’, in the summer of 2012. It was a fantastic experience which I found both harrowing and inspiring and I’ll always retain an interest in the future of the country and its incredible people. I’ve been a keen supporter of SCIAF’s work during my time in Holyrood and I’d like to wish them all the best for the future.”

Mary Jackson said:

“I’m really proud to be here in Scotland representing women in Malawi. Before the SCIAF project, nobody helped us. Life was very hard. Sometimes my children couldn’t go to school because the walk is very far and they were too hungry. Now they have enough to eat and they’re doing really well in school. If they continue to study hard they will achieve great things and will have a good life. I won’t have to worry about their future.”

SCIAF’s mission is to create a more just world for all in which everyone can live life, and live it to the full.  SCIAF is a registered Scottish charity, no: SC012302.

SCIAF works with people in some of the poorest countries in the world, providing emergency aid and practical long term support to those affected by hunger, poverty, war and disasters. In Scotland it brings together people in parishes, schools and across Scotland to lobby governments and big business with campaigns to address the causes of global poverty and injustice.

Siobhan McMahon MSP Learns of Challenges Facing Young Deaf People Seeking Employment

With Abigail Matheson

Central Scotland MSP, Siobhan McMahon, is supporting Action on Hearing Loss Scotland’s new ‘Moving On’ service supporting young deaf people into work, after sponsoring the charity’s reception in the Scottish Parliament last week.

MSPs and guests heard from Abigail Matheson, 25, that employers’ lack of understanding of communication support, poor deaf awareness, and not knowing about the Access to Work scheme are creating barriers preventing deaf people from having the chance to get into their preferred careers.

Abigail also raised the problems deaf people often face at Job Centre Plus where staff won’t always book British Sign Language interpreters, or use the correct terminology when talking about deaf people and their individual communication needs.

Abigail found employment as a support worker for a deaf charity following specialist support from Action on Hearing Loss Scotland’s ‘Moving On’ service which advised Abigail on her CV, gave her mock interview training and ensured that potential employers booked interpreters for her job interviews. Moving On is funded by The Big Lottery Fund Scotland and supports young deaf or hard of hearing people aged 16-25 into employment, training and education opportunities.

Siobhan McMahon MSP said: “Abigail’s story is a real inspiration for young deaf people who use British Sign Language but it really drives home the challenges that deaf people face when seeking employment – unnecessary barriers that simply should not be in their way. I urge employers across Central Scotland to contact Action on Hearing Loss Scotland to find out how they can make their recruitment processes accessible and ensure talented employees who are deaf or have hearing loss are supported to progress in the workplace.”

Abigail Matheson said: “Employers need to understand that all deaf people are different and we may have different communication needs. I have had a lot of support from my mum and from the team at Action on Hearing Loss Scotland. Having people who are prepared to support me has meant that I’m now doing a job I want to do as I work towards my long-term goal of becoming a Social Worker. If employers continue to turn their backs on deaf people, it reduces our work options and means we face having to claim benefits.”

Action on Hearing Loss Scotland is a charity which helps people to confront deafness, tinnitus and hearing loss to live the life they choose. Action on Hearing Loss Scotland enables people who are deaf or hearing loss to take control of their lives and remove the barriers in their way. Action on Hearing Loss gives people support and care, develop technology and treatments, and campaign for equality.

For further information about Action on Hearing Loss Scotland or to become a member, visit www.hearingloss.org.uk/Scotland, contact Action on Hearing Loss’s Information Line on 0808 808 0123 (freephone) or 0808 808 9000 (textphone) or email: informationline@hearingloss.org.uk.

 

 

 

 

40 up for Lanarkshire Samaritans

Siobhan (3rd from left) with, from left to right, Samaritans volunteers Esther Dailly, Margaret McLaughlin, Charlene Crawford, Chairman of Lanarkshire Samaritans Dan Russell, and volunteer Joyce Gillies

I was delighted to be invited to Lanarkshire Samaritans in Hamilton to help them celebrate their 40th birthday.

The Samaritans opened their first Scottish branch in Edinburgh in 1959, with the Lanarkshire branch opening 13 years later, in November 1972.

The Samaritans offers confidantial, compassionate and non-judgemental advice and guidance to those in distress. Whether you are clinically depressed, weighed down by health or money worries, or just having a bit of a bad time: the Samaritans is here to help.

On average, Lanarkshire Samaritans fields between 6-8000 calls, 150 face-to-face meetings, and around 400 emails every year.

Their volunteers go through a rigorous training program and are highly committed to the organisation. Many have been Samaritans for between 10 and 20 years.

As well as their listening and advisory service, Lanarkshire Samaritans runs outreach programmes in local schools, hospitals and prisons. Regardless of your circumstances and whatever your problem, they will listen and do their best to help.

I would like to thank everyone who has volunteered for Lanarkshire Samaritans over the past 4o years for doing their best to ensure that people in emotional pain and distress have someone to talk to. A little bit of sympathy and  kindness can make a world of difference.

The Samaritans’ national phone service can be contacted at any time of the day or night, and their Lanarkshire office is open from 9am-2am for four nights of the week, and 9am-5am for the remaining three. Individuals wishing to speak to someone in person can visit the office at 4 Selkirk Place, Hamilton, Lanarkshire, ML3 6RQ, between 9am and 9pm.

We can all make a difference

Siobhan with staff and volunteers at Wishaw Barnado’s

It was an absolute pleasure and privilege to spend time working at the Wishaw Barnado’s shop to help promote Make a Difference Day 2012.

The staff and volunteers are enormously passionate, committed and hardworking, and I would like to thank them all for inviting me to volunteer and for being so kind and welcoming.  

Barnado’s counselling and support services provide invaluable advice and assistance to thousands of victims and potential victims of poverty, neglect, homelessness and abuse across the UK.

With government funding increasingly restricted, the money provided by its charity shops is crucial.  It is imperative, therefore, that people continue to support their local charity shops, either through volunteering, donating unwanted possessions or by shopping there whenever possible.

Barnado’s relies upon the generosity of local people, but in turn it provides fantastic products at very affordable prices.

Volunteering is a very rewarding experience; just a couple of hours a week can make a big difference.  I would encourage anyone else who has a bit of spare time to get in touch with Barnado’s to see what they can do to help.

North Lanarkshire Disability Forum

Siobhan with committee members from the North Lanarkshire Disability Forum

I recently attended the latest committee meeting of the North Lanarkshire Disability Forum in Motherwell.

Formed in 1991, the North Lanarkshire Disability Forum is a voluntary organisation run by disabled people, for disabled people. It offers support, information, advice and guidance to disabled people and their carers across a range of issues, including community services, transport, health, welfare, and housing.

As ever, I was struck by the level of commitment exhibited by the committee members on behalf of those they support and represent. They spoke with passion – and frequently anger – about the many challenges facing disabled people across North Lanarkshire, in particular the punitive changes to disability benefits contained within the Welfare Reform Bill.

As well as discussing the ramifications of the Welfare Reform Bill, the NLDF raised a number of other issues pertaining to disabled people, which I am determined to pursue with the relevant authorities.

Sadly, and despite the vital service they provide, the NLDF exists within a perpetual funding crisis. With no core funding, the organisation is left in a constant state of flux, with no concrete certainty as to its operating budget from year to year. Given the increased pressure and demand that will undoubtedly result from the Welfare Reform Bill, this state of affairs is highly unsatisfactory, and the Scottish Government must act now to ensure that the NLDF, along with other community and voluntary organisations, has the funds it needs to continue providing support.

Organisations like the North Lanarkshire Disability Forum are of critical importance; we must do all we can to protect them, whilst ensuring that they have the necessary funds to expand and improve their services.

Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire

Siobhan with Kenny Moffat, VANL's Chief Executive Officer

I recently met with senior management at Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL), the Airdrie based development agency and membership network open to third sector organisations throughout North Lanarkshire.

Formed in 2010 following the amalgamation of the Council for Voluntary Services and the Voluntary Centre, VANL seeks to forge closer working links between third sector bodies in North Lanarkshire. It is the central point of contact for information, advice and support on voluntary action, and represents the sector in discussions with local community planning partnerships.

VANL currently supports between 350-400 voluntary organisations and in excess of 1800 volunteers in the local authority area, providing them with a comprehensive range of resources including organisational and financial support, advice on sourcing and obtaining funding, and bespoke training for volunteers.

The meeting was very informative, and I was favourably impressed by VANL’s role as an essential advice and support network for local volunteer and community groups. VANL staff and employees are highly trained and extremely knowledgeable, and I would advice all local volunteer groups to take advantage of their expertise.

With the coalition Governments programme of austerity measures cutting back on public services, the burden on the third sector will increase exponentially. It is imperative, therefore, that third sector funding is kept at a sustainable level, and that the role of volunteer groups is not diluted, but remains clearly defined.