Third Sector Forum Events

This month will see the initial locality based Third Sector Forum (TSF) events being held across South Lanarkshire.  These locality events are an opportunity for Third Sector organisations to network and share their thoughts, views and experiences and help to develop a strong Third Sector which contributes, informs and adds value to Community Planning Partners.

The TSF is a new engagement platform, supported by VASLan, bringing third sector and community organisations together at locality level, encouraging creative thinking and ways of working that address local need and inform public policy.

This is an exciting step in sector engagement, and I would encourage as many organisations as possible to get involved.

The meetings will take place at the following locations:

 

Hamilton, Blantyre & Larkhall: 2pm on Wednesday 27th January 2016 at Hillhouse and Earnock Community Centre (Hillhouse Road, Hamilton, ML3 9TX).

East Kilbride & Strathaven:  10am on Thursday 28th January 2016 at Calderwood Baptist Church, (Maxwellton Road, East Kilbride, G74 3LW).

Siobhan McMahon MSP Presses Scottish Government on Legal Aid Review

Central Scotland Labour MSP Siobhan McMahon has urged the Scottish Government to reveal when a review of current legal aid arrangements will take place.

Ms McMahon made her calls while questioning the Scottish Government Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, Paul Wheelhouse, at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 14^th January.

In September 2015, Ms McMahon wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Falkirk West MSP Michael Matheson, highlighting concerns raised by members of the Falkirk and District Faculty of Solicitors about new inadequate legal aid rates of pay which would see lawyers out with Edinburgh suffer losses by agreeing to appear in the new Sheriff Appeal Court.

Ms McMahon again raised these concerns while questioning Mr Wheelhouse. She also reiterated her belief that it’s unacceptable that under the new sheriff appeal court arrangement, those judges who preside at hearings, the other court officials, police officers and lawyers for the prosecution will receive 2015 rates of pay, while those in court who are standing up for the appellant will receive only 1992 rates of pay.

Ms McMahon said “I was pleased to have the opportunity to question the Paul Wheelhouse on this issue which I know is of real importance to those who work in the legal sector here in Falkirk. This is something I’ve raised with Michael Matheson in the past as legal aid plays an important role in our justice system and it cannot be right that people in Falkirk are put a disadvantage under the new rules.

“I welcome the fact that the Scottish Government are working with the Law Society and the Scottish Legal Aid Board to address the concerns raised by those in the sector, but it was disappointing that Mr Wheelhouse was not able to give me a clear timeframe as to when this review will be carried out.

“I will continue to monitor this situation and work with all relevant parties to ensure that the legal aid system works for people in Falkirk.”

You can read Ms McMahon’s questions to Paul Wheelhouse MSP here.

You can read Ms McMahon’s letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice here.

Siobhan for Central Scotland

SiobhanForCentralScotland

Siobhan McMahon MSP Launches Consultation on Abolition of Social Care Charges

Scottish Labour MSP Siobhan McMahon today launched a consultation on the abolition of non-residential social care charges.

The consultation was launched at the Scottish Parliament and will be open until Friday 30th January 2016.

Currently, many disabled people are being driven into poverty due to the increasing amounts of money that they have to pay as a contribution towards their social care.

Ms McMahon believes that non-residential social care is an equality and human rights issue and, therefore, should be free at the point of delivery. She also believes that the current system is unfair, because charging procedures for these care services differ considerably between local authorities.

Previously, a petition was lodged at the Scottish Parliament by the ‘Scotland Against the Care Tax’ group which was signed by 4013 people and urged the Scottish Government to abolish all local authority charges for non-residential social care services.

The consultation has received backing from many organisations including the ‘Scotland Against the Care Tax’ group, Learning Disability Alliance Scotland, and Quarriers, who were all represented at the launch event.

There were also a number of people present from across Scotland who have experienced first-hand the difficulties these charges can present to disabled people who wish to enjoy the things in life that non-disabled people take for granted.

Also in attendance offering their support was Ken Macintosh MSP, Cara Hilton MSP, Michael McMahon MSP and Anne McTaggart MSP.

Siobhan McMahon MSP said: “By carrying out this consultation I hope to encourage debate on the system of social care charging in Scotland and find out the public’s views on the issue.

“For those people who use it, social care is an example of the essential practical assistance and support needed to participate in society and lead an ordinary life. Enabling disabled people to participate in the economic, social, cultural and civic life of the community not only allows them the freedom to exercise their human rights, but also benefits society as a whole.

“I believe that it’s now time to complete the journey that Scotland began 13 years ago when it became the first part of the UK to provide a degree of security for all older people when they started to need care to live in their own homes. We should make sure that this security is extended to everybody who needs social care to enjoy their basic human rights. That surely would be a fairer Scotland.”

Ian Hood, Coordinator at Learning Disability Alliance Scotland, said: “At Learning Disability Alliance Scotland we understand how important this issue is and I would urge as many people as possible across Scotland to respond to Siobhan McMahon’s consultation.

“Social care is essential to many disabled people in order to help them take part in the lives of the communities they were born and grew up in. It’s also essential for those who are facing the end of their lives and want to spend their time with dignity and respect in their own communities.

“One in five people in Scotland have a disability and the number of people living into their 80s and 90s is increasing. Finding an answer to the question of how our society manages their support and helps to keep as many people as possible being fully active and a functioning part of our community is essential.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• You can read the consultation document here, and respond by completing the online Smart Survey here.

For more information please c

Siobhan McMahon MSP Speech: British Sign Language (Scotland) Bill

Siobhan McMahon (Central Scotland) (Lab):

It gives me great pleasure to close the debate for Scottish Labour. I start by congratulating my colleague Mark Griffin on bringing the bill to the chamber and on giving the deaf community a voice in Parliament. I know that the bill means a lot to him, as is evident from the effort that he has given it throughout its entire process. I also pay tribute to Cathie Craigie for her work in this area.

Mark and I share a regional office, and I know the hard work that he and his staff, Cathie and—in particular—Frank, have dedicated to the bill. I am pleased that that will be recognised at 5 pm tonight, when the Parliament, I hope, unites to pass this historic bill.

It is a great privilege for me to take part in the debate. As a member of the Education and Culture Committee when it scrutinised the bill, I heard first-hand evidence as to why we require it and what impact it is likely to have on people’s lives if it fulfils its potential. As Heather Gray, director of the National Deaf Children’s Society, said:

“The British Sign Language (Scotland) Bill marks an historic moment for the deaf community in Scotland, many of whom have British Sign Language as their first or preferred language. The National Deaf Children’s Society strongly believes that, if implemented, this landmark legislation will become a key driver in Scotland towards more effective service provision, better opportunities, and improved life chances for deaf children and young people.”

However, we must not rest on our laurels. When I spoke in the stage 1 debate, I highlighted a number of issues facing deaf people in Scotland. I will not go through each of them again, but it is important to draw the chamber’s attention to the attainment gap that deaf learners currently face, which is extremely concerning.

Scottish Government figures for 2011-12 show that 36.4 per cent of deaf school leavers attained highers or advanced highers, compared to 60.2 per cent of hearing pupils. Scottish Government data also shows that, at only 26 per cent, deaf school leavers are less likely to go on to higher education than hearing school leavers, at 39 per cent. We also know from the Grimes report that only 8 per cent of teachers of the deaf can sign. We must address that. I hope that the Scottish Government closely considers the forthcoming report from the Education and Culture Committee on the attainment gap for people with a sensory impairment and that all issues highlighted in it will be addressed as a matter of urgency.

Statistics from the Scottish Council on Deafness show that up to 70 per cent of deaf people believe that they have failed to get a job because of their deafness. That is a sobering statistic but one that has become all too familiar.

In June this year, I had the honour of sponsoring the Action on Hearing Loss reception, which a vast number of MSPs attended. The reception was held to highlight deaf awareness week and the importance of everyone receiving deaf awareness training and learning about the communication needs of the 850,000 people in Scotland who are deaf or have hearing loss. At that event, we heard from Abigail Matheson about her experience of trying to gain employment. She said that employers’ lack of understanding of communication support, poor deaf awareness and lack of knowledge about the access to work scheme create barriers that prevent deaf people from having the chance to get into their preferred careers. She also raised the problems that deaf people often face at Jobcentre Plus, where staff will not always book British Sign Language interpreters or use the correct terminology when talking about deaf people and their individual communication needs.

We must do more to help people such as Abigail get the support that they require to enter the workplace. The bill will address some of the problems that she outlined, but it will not address them all. Mark Griffin and the organisations that support the bill have made it clear that the bill is the first step on the journey to improving the lives of deaf people in Scotland. It will not solve all the problems that deaf people face, but it is an important first step that the Parliament must take today. As we heard in evidence, the bill will give deaf people the opportunity to access life through their own language. There can be no stronger point to end on.

I look forward to supporting the bill at decision time.

– See more at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=10088&i=93183&c=1860838#sthash.S3eJe3zq.dpuf

Scottish Roads Partnership – Motorway Improvement Projects Drop In Day

HemiHelp Annual Professionals Conference

As a proud patron of HemiHelp, the charity which provides help and support to individuals and families affected by Hemiplegia, I would like to bring to your attention the HemiHelp Annual Professionals Conference.

I’ve had the privilege of speaking at the annual conference before and this years “Developments in the Management of Hemiplegia conference” will this year take place in Leeds on Thursday 17th September.

If you are working with hemiplegia in any way, then this conference will provide an excellent learning opportunity to help enhance your practice.

To view the full programme and to book and pay online, please click on the link below:

http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/about_us/what_we_do/events/annual_professionals_conference_2015

List of Hamilton District Foodbank Referring Agents

It’s disgraceful that hundreds of thousands of people across Scotland are reliant upon food banks to feed themselves and their families.

Just 5,700 food bank parcels were distributed in 2011, in 2013 it was 71,000 and last year it rocketed to 117,000.

These food banks provide a lifeline to people in need and I would like to highlight the Hamilton District Food Bank Referring Agents so that people in the area are aware of how they can receive help.

Humjolie’s Multicultural Celebration

I would encourage people across Central Scotland to attend Humjolie’s 7th Multicultural celebration at Motherwell Concert Hall on 2nd of August.

Humjolie is a Bellshill based group that was set up by Asian women in 2007 to address the issues of isolation, language barriers, and lack of opportunities for Asian women in Lanarkshire. The group provides information, support, advocacy, activities and a listening ear to Asian women living in Lanarkshire.

They provide opportunities to women to get involved in health promoting activities e.g. healthy eating, exercise, dance, health walks and at the same time raise awareness of different health issues. One of Humjolie’s aims is to facilitate multicultural dialogue. It organises activities and events that provide an opportunity to different communities to embrace, share and celebrate cultural differences. The group organises activities with the aim of reducing stigma around mental ill health and promotion of mental health and well being.

This multicultural celebartion brings members of diverse communities together, promotes community cohesion and fosters a better understaing between different ethnic groups. Despite many cultural barriers Humjolie’s passion to make dance and music socially acceptable in the Asian community is the driving force behind this project.

Doors open at 6.30pm and the show starts at 7pm.

You can visit their facebook page here.

With the school holidays under way, the following reservoir safety information may be of interest to constituents across Central Scotland.

 

STAY SAFE AROUND WATERCOURSES THIS SUMMER 

People are being urged to stay safe and not take risks around rivers, reservoirs and lochs this summer.

Scottish Water is also calling on children and parents to take particular care during the summer holidays and any spells of warm weather we might enjoy.

The latest figures show that, in 2014, a total of 338 people lost their lives to drowning in the UK.

Scottish Water has today launched a social media campaign #ReservoirSafety and a new video to highlight the importance of reservoir safety, which can be viewed at www.scottishwater.co.uk/reservoirvideo or on YouTube at https://youtu.be/xj4qR5Ct_rA

Peter Farrer, Scottish Water’s chief operating officer, said: “While everyone should enjoy their school holidays or take pleasure in the country’s beautiful lochs, rivers and reservoirs, it’s absolutely vital that they stay safe at all times.

“Safety is a serious issue as while the water may look harmless there are many hidden dangers. We need to ensure children, and parents, are aware of these hazards. We are reminding parents to keep their children safe and asking adults to act responsibly around watercourses.”

Dams, steep banks, spillways (overflows), deep cold water and underwater pipe work can present real hazards. And the majority of Scottish Water’s reservoirs are situated in remote locations, meaning there is a lack of immediate assistance and mobile reception can be poor. 

Elizabeth Lumsden, community safety manager at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Scotland, said: “It is important to be vigilant around inland waters, such as rivers, lakes, lochs, quarries and reservoirs. That’s particularly true during periods of hot weather and school holidays. The water can be a lot colder than expected, which can lead to cold shock; in the worst case, water will be inhaled and the drowning process begins. There may also be strong currents and underwater debris that you cannot see from the bank.”

Scottish Water is one of 10 partners involved in the Go Safe Scotland online education resource www.gosafescotland.com that has been developed to provide young people in Scotland with a variety of key safety messages, one of which is water safety.

George Cairns, the chair of Go Safe Scotland, said: “We welcome Scottish Water’s initiative to raise awareness of water safety, particularly in the run-up to the summer holiday period. The Go Safe Scotland and other websites can be utilised by parents, teachers and indeed children to seek out the appropriate information to how to Go Safe this Summer around water.”

Scottish Water’s advice is also targeted at pet owners. One of the biggest concerns with dog owners is when their pet dives into water, chasing a ball or stick. The pet more often survives such incidents, but the owners, who have attempted to save them, sometimes don’t. Dogs need to be kept on a lead if they are being walked near reservoirs and other bodies of open water.

Meanwhile, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS), the drowning prevention charity, is running its Drowning Prevention Week campaign from June 20-28.

RLSS UK Chief Executive Di Steer said: “There is no quick fix to prevent accidental drownings. We believe education to instil a change in behaviour is the only method that will have an impact on people now, as well as future generations, and help prevent these tragic deaths and accidents.

“As the UK’s drowning prevention charity, we work tirelessly to achieve this aim. But we can’t do it alone. We need everyone’s help to raise awareness about the reality of accidental drowning, and to get water safety at the forefront of people’s minds.” 

If Scottish Water customers would like more information they can contact Scottish Water’s Customer Helpline on 0800 0778778 or www.scottishwater.co.uk/takecare.

For more information on RoSPA visit their website at www.rospa.com.

For more information of the RLSS UK and its Drowning Prevention Week visit www.rlss.org.uk or

www.rlss.org.uk/news/one-more-drowning-is-still-one-too-many/