June Bulletin

Ahead of summer recess, June has been packed full of parliamentary debates and events alongside exciting community work.

In Parliament

Portfolio Questions: Justice and Home Affairs

Ruth took part in Portfolio Questions on Justice and Home Affairs where she asked the minister how forthcoming legislation will advance the rights of child victims of crime.  

Scottish Government Debate Let’s Talk Education – The National Discussion

During the Scottish Government debate, ‘Let’s Talk Education – The National Discussion, Ruth expressed the importance of an inclusive education system with children’s rights at its heart. She supported the government motion that showed the significant levels of engagement that the national discussion generated, being the largest public engagement exercise on education reaching 38,000 people in Scotland and generating a renewed vision for Scottish Education.

Education, Children and Young People Committee Debate

Ten years after the regionalisation of Scotland’s colleges, Ruth took part in the Education, Children and Young People Committee Debate on the matter. Sharing local and national examples of success, she acknowledged the great work that has been done to improve college education highlighting in particular their excellent contribution to widening access.

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Questions

After hearing from local teachers that a class visit to Parliament was unaffordable Ruth asked the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body “what action the corporate body takes to ensure that children and young people from across Scotland can visit their Scottish Parliament.’

Ministerial Statement on Education Reform

Ruth asked the Scottish Government what more will be done to support the quality and consistency of the implementation of existing policies and practices which improve outcomes for our children and young people.

Stage 1: Children Care and Justice Bill

Stage 1 debate in the Children Care and Justice Bill Ruth supported the principles of the bill and highlighted two areas she believed required further work, namely Legal representation for children and young people and the balancing of rights between all children who come into contact with the law. Ruth was pleased that the Minister agreed to meet with her to discuss these matters further.

Ministerial Statement: Reconsideration of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill

During the Ministerial Statement on the reconsideration of the UNCRC Bill, the Scottish Government, demonstrated they remain ambitious for children’s right and committed to incorporation despite the limitations that have been imposed by the UK Government.

Scottish Government Debate: Building a New Scotland – The Constitution of an Independent Country

Ruth took part to share her views on the limits of the current constitutional set up and the opportunities that The constitution of an Independent Scotland could bring.

Portfolio Questions: Constitution, External Affairs and Culture

Ruth asked the Minister what the Scottish Government’s how a written constitution could protect democracy, the sovereignty of the people, freedom and the rule of law in an independent Scotland.

Ministerial Statement: Highly Protected Marine Areas (Insert Video – Link)

Earlier in the month Ruth met with avid sea angler and chairman of the Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network (SSACN), Willie Kennedy, who expressed his concerns about the decline of the inshore waters of the Clyde.

Ruth highlighted these to the Scottish Government asking the Minister, how enhanced marine protection will support the recovery of the Clyde seabed.

In the Community

Volunteers Week

Irvine and Troon Cancer Care

The month was kicked off with a busy volunteer’s week, where Ruth visited many local organisations that thrive off the work that volunteers do.

Ruth kicked off volunteer’s week with a visit to Irvine and Troon Cancer Care, where she had the pleasure of meeting Dick and Gordon. They shared their experience with the charity, explaining how the 30 volunteers provide essential service to cancer patients.

The charity offers free transportation to and from hospital appointments in Ayrshire, Glasgow and Edinburgh for cancer patients, making costly, regular travel more accessible to those who need it.

Friends of Eglinton

Ruth’s next visit took her to Eglinton Country Park where she met North Ayrshire Country Park Ranger, Joanne, and her wonderful team of volunteers.

The current group of 12 meets every Friday morning to maintain the grounds of the park which would not be possible without the help of the volunteers. Joanne assured Ruth that the group has a job for everyone no matter their capabilities. The sense of community at Friends of Eglinton group was clear and she would encourage anyone that enjoys some gardening, a cuppa and a friendly face to sign up.

Woodland View Volunteer Shop

On Day 3, Ruth visited Woodland View Volunteer Shop, which is a confectionary lifeline for the patients and workers of the hospital, with any profits being made going right back to the hospital to improve a host of different things including upgrading tech and adding to the relaxing garden spaces. The shop was running on only had two volunteers but hoped that more people would get involved in the great opportunity.

Victim Support Scotland

Victim Support Scotland have just short of 300 volunteers that support those effected by crime in many ways, both in terms of practical and emotional support. But they need the extra help from you to keep these services growing and available to all that needs them.

Ruth met with a bunch of the fantastic workers from Victim Support Scotland at their Irvine office including Vicky, who shared with us her experience as a volunteer. She shared that being a volunteer is extremely rewarding and that the training that she has received has been invaluable, even helping her to progress in her job.

Fullarton Community Garden

Next stop on Ruth’s volunteer’s week list was Fullarton Community Garden where she met volunteer, Alec, who visited the garden every morning to keep this in check. However, Alec shared the struggle that he has had with getting regular volunteers, which are needed at the end of season to pick the fruits and vegetables that they have grown.

Irvine Youth Forum

Ruth wrapped up Volunteer’s Week with a visit to Irvine Youth Forum, where she met Justin. He shared with us some of the important work that the forum is doing with the young people of the community. It was clear from Ruth’s chat with Justin, how welcoming the forum is to new members, with over 100 young people on their books. They have many recreational and community groups available, which you can find out more about on their various socials listed below and acts as a life-line for the young people of Irvine.

Care Home Open Week

For Care Home Open Week, Ruth visited Fullarton Care Home to open their new Sensory Garden. The nurses shared with her that the passion project was created to give the residents an outdoor space to enjoy with family and friends. The residents didn’t let the bad weather dampen their spirits, sharing lots of stories, cakes and a cuppa with Ruth once they got out of the rain.

Surgeries

Ruth always conducted her monthly surgeries in Dreghorn, Towerlands, Stevenston and Kilwinning. Now that parliamentary recess has begun, Ruth will be holding street surgeries in addition to her regular monthly surgeries which will continue as normal. You can find out more about Ruth’s upcoming surgeries here.