Special Treasures

Fiona Bruce MP attends Special Treasures Open Afternoon in Alsager

Fiona Bruce MP attended the Special Treasures Open Afternoon recently at Alsager Community Church to see the good work done in the community by this group for special needs children aged 0 to 3 and their parents or carers. Also attended was Ron Tyson, Chairman of Alsager Town Council.

Special Treasures was started following a request by a local Mum whose baby was born with Downs Syndrome, and who felt there was a need for a group where parents and toddlers could meet with other children and their families.  The group is open to any family who has a child with an additional need whether it is a disability, medical or social need.  The group is for the whole family and brothers and sisters are encouraged to get involved, and join in.  Drinks and snacks are available from the cafe in the Community Church building.

Special Treasures is run by a group of local volunteers and is part of the many community activites run from Alsager Community Church managed and led by husband and wife team Chris and Matthew Wright.

Fiona Bruce said “I have thoroughly enjoyed spending time at Special Treasures.  Having visited before I continue to be increasingly impressed with the ever-improving facilities Alsager Community Church provides for children and their families. It was a pleasure to see parents relaxing and chatting whilst children enjoyed the sensory play areas, toys and equipment and different coloured lights – even on the ceiling!”

Fiona continued:

“This is a tremendous resource for local families who deserve all the support they can get and it is wonderful to have Special Treasures located in Alsager. Real credit goes to Matt and Chris Wright and their volunteer team for their dedication and commitment to providing such a high standard centre, backed up by support, information and advice from professional practitioners. The soothing atmosphere was an oasis of calm in a busy day.”

Waitrose Community Matters

Fiona Bruce MP visits Waitrose Sandbach to help hand out this month’s Community Matters cheques.

Fiona Bruce MP went to visit the Waitrose store in Sandbach recently to meet representatives from the local community groups receiving donations from this month’s Community Matters money Fund.  Community Matters is a scheme through which £1000 is split each month between three different local charities according to the number of green tokens (given by each customer) in the chosen charities box. The charities were Whizzkids, a Cheshire charity that provides wheelchairs and other equipment of disabled children, Brushheads, Sandbach, which helps disabled people to create artwork as therapy and Winsford Grange Care Home.

Ashley Gaunt, Branch Manager at Waitrose Sandbach, says:

"Our Community Matters scheme enables us to support many worthy causes and we are delighted to play our part in helping to ensure that these local projects can continue their excellent work.  In addition to raising money, Community Matters also helps these causes to raise their profiles for future fundraising, giving them the opportunity to network and build relationships with one another.  It's one way in which we take an active role in the community and is an important element of our presence here in Sandbach."

He also told Fiona Bruce MP that “ From Easter we shall also be giving 250 hours of time volunteering to local charities from partners within our store and are inviting local community groups to contact us if they would like to be considered for this help.”

Next month’s Community Matters charities are Sandbach Cinema Project, Holmes Chapel and District First Responders and Cheshire Swan Study Group.  Local residents can nominate their good cause for future months by collecting a leaflet from the Waitrose store.

Congleton Learning Centre

Fiona Bruce MP is impressed by Congleton Learning Centre Open Day

Fiona Bruce MP recently visited Congleton Learning Centre (CLC) to see a local service at the heart of the community.  The CLC was holding an Open Day to showcase the work that they do including computer, numeracy and literacy training and help to raise the profile of the centre.

The Centre is supported by IT solutions company, Prism, who donated two laptops to the Centre at the Open Day.

Peter Neal, Sales Manager at Prism, said “It’s a pleasure to do it because it really does help the local economy.”

Fiona agreed, saying “Prism proves in more ways than one that we should buy from local businesses because the money you spend with them stays in the community.”

Whilst there Fiona spoke to a number of people regarding the “Work Club” initiative in Alsager, Congleton and Middlewich, to which Fiona has lent her support to in the past.

Cath Barton, who leads the Alsager and Middlewich Clubs explained “Work Clubs provide people with one-to-one advice, CV reviews and further educational opportunities. It’s about giving people the confidence to get their CV out there and to apply for not just one – but lots of jobs – which is key to success.”

The clubs have proved a huge success with ten people in Middlewich alone already finding full time employment through the Club including Steve Dodd whom Fiona met on her last visit to the Work Clubs. The Alsager Work Club meets from 2 - 4.30pm on alternate Wednesdays at 1 Grove Court, the Middlewich Club meets Thursday 10am-12.30pm at 10 Dale Court. The Clubs are available to anyone wishing for help in job seeking, careers advice or help with training.

Fiona commented;  “This is a great place and I never cease to be amazed at the community in my constituency.”

Congleton Museum

Fiona Bruce MP has first look at new collection for Congleton Museum

Fiona Bruce MP visited Congleton Museum on Friday to have a first look at the new collection for Summer 2012.  This new collection has come from archaeological digs of the 1980s in places like Somerford, Betchton and Withington and offers a picture of pre-Roman life in the area that has not been seen before. The new collection suggests that pre-Roman life in this area was far more active and sophisticated than was previously thought.

Fiona also toured the rest of the museum with Chairman, Ian Doughty who told her of how the museum intended to expand and develop and become a real tourist asset to the town.  The museum is staffed almost entirely by the 50-60 volunteers who willingly give up their time to make the museum a success.

Fiona said

“Congleton Museum is punching well above its weight in terms of breadth and depth of artefacts and the professionalism with which the development of the museum is being progressed.  Having seen some of the items dating back to pre-Roman times that will form part of a new exhibition this summer, I am encouraging everyone to visit Congleton Museum – whether for the first time or if you have visited before.  There will be a lot of new, interesting items to see which will broaden our understanding of how people lived in this part of Cheshire going back not just hundreds but thousands of years.”

Fiona continued:

“I also wish to pay tribute to the many volunteers – I understand over fifty local people – who make Congleton Museum such an interesting and attractive place to visit.”

Alcohol Strategy

Fiona Bruce MP highlights importance of positive parenting in preventing binge drinking

Fiona Bruce MP spoke in a debate in Parliament yesterday and highlighted the importance of positive parenting in reducing the likelihood of young people becoming binge drinkers.

Fiona’s speech was supported by the DEMOS report “Binge Drinking Behind the Headlines – Under the Influence”, the launch of which Fiona hosted recently. The DEMOS report stated that young people with parents who are actively involved in their lives are materially less likely to binge drink at 16 and also less likely to binge drink later on at age 34.  In contrast, young people with disengaged parents were eight times more likely to be binge drinkers at 16.

Fiona said

 “We cannot resolve every problem of excessive drinking in our country, but we should not act only at personal, community or national levels. We need to do something at all those levels, because doing nothing is not an option. The research highlights the fact that active parenting is a key aspect in reducing binge drinking.  We should consider seriously the positive contribution that parenting classes or education could make, particularly in terms of prevention rather than cure.”

The photograph shows (l to r) Christine Thompson ( SABMiller Policy Manager), Fiona Bruce MP, Bryanna Hahn (University of Cambridge Institute of Criminology and co-author of “Under the Influence”) and Jamie Bartlett (co-author of “Under the Influence”) at the launch of the DEMOS report

Apprenticeships Week

MP marks National Apprenticeship Week by hosting conference meeting on supporting young people into the world of work.

Fiona Bruce MP, who is supporting National Apprenticeship Week (6^th – 10^th February), recently held a meeting at her Riverside Office in Congleton which brought together the Head Teachers of Congleton and Eaton Bank High Schools with local business leaders and some of Cheshire’s biggest employers, as well as representatives of the many small businesses in the area.

The aim of the meeting was to discuss how schools and local businesses could support young people into the world of work by building stronger relationships between them.

The Head of Congleton High School, David Hermitt, set out his vision for the future by saying at the meeting that he wanted every one of his pupils, who do not go to university or college ‘to have a local employment opportunity’.

The Head of Eaton Bank High School, Ann Webb, reinforced Mr Hermitt’s comments and said they were both extremely fortunate to work in a ‘very supportive, stable and aspirational community’.

The Local Authority, Cheshire East Council, has also been hugely supportive of Apprenticeships through its highly successful A-Team initiative. The scheme, which was only created 18 months ago, now has 100 Apprentices across all Council services and locations exploring new collaborations.

The meeting heard from Sue Price, North West Director of the National Apprenticeship Service that there were framework and qualifications in place for over 200 employment opportunities. She spoke of the Government’s commitment to Apprenticeships having invested a £1.4 billion in Apprenticeship training and that this policy was a key priority in assisting 16-24 year olds.

Fiona Bruce MP said:

“We are extremely fortunate in Congleton to have excellent initiatives such as the Beartown Apprenticeship Scheme, pioneered by Plus Dane and supported by the Chamber of Commerce, which provides a local route for smaller employers to work together to jointly employ an Apprentice – and helps employers select, interview and recruit an appropriate candidate for their businesses’.

‘The wealth of expertise and the willingness of people in and around Congleton to help in offering exciting opportunities for our young people and assisting them into the world of work is extremely important. I will continue to work hard to support interested parties and that is why it is so important to highlight National Apprenticeship Week.

“Research confirms that 80% of people believe their workplace is more productive because of an Apprentice; Apprentices remain extremely loyal, they often stay will a company for life and become future managers. It is also known that over their career, an Apprentice can expect to earn an additional £65,000 - £105,000 above someone who has not done an Apprenticeship.

Fiona will be attending Bentley’s Annual Open Meeting for aspiring Apprentices on Saturday 25^th February and the National Apprenticeship Service Parliamentary Reception to once again reaffirm her support for their work and to listen to the Skills Minister, John Hayes MP, and see what further steps, like the ‘New Era of Apprenticeships’ campaign, the Government will be taking to support Apprenticeships’.

Speaking in Parliament, this week, Fiona said:

“I hope that Apprenticeship Week will further encourage businesses across the Congleton Constituency to consider offering opportunities to our young people. Through the excellent and streamlined partnership working on Apprenticeships in Congleton between schools, businesses, the Council, Chamber of Commerce and Plus Dane – real endeavours are being made to help every one of our young people to achieve their full potential’.

Fiona continued:

‘Today’ s high quality Apprenticeships are a  respected route of choice towards building a career-a valid alternative to academia and an equally important –indeed, essential, contribution to our nation’s wellbeing, both socially and economically. This week’s announcement that there were 450,200 Apprenticeship starts last year- up by 90% on the year before, confirms that across the country and in all employment sectors, employers are increasingly recognising the value to their businesses of taking on an Apprentice .This is particularly so for small businesses with real financial support from Government now available for those taking on an Apprentice for the first time. What is also particularly striking is the growth in Apprenticeship schemes leading to a degree- there are currently around 2,200 Higher Level Apprentices , which constitutes a recent tenfold increase;  the Government aims to  support an even greater increase in this to 25,000 Higher Level Apprenticeships over the next three years- so the sky really is the limit for young people who choose the Apprenticeship route to develop their skills , broaden their future career  opportunities and fulfil their life potential’.

RSA Reception - Houses of Parliament

MP hosts 30^th Anniversary Reception in Parliament for the Alsager based Raynaud’s and Scleroderma Association

Fiona Bruce MP, this week, hosted the 30^th Anniversary Reception in Parliament for the Alsager based Raynaud’s and Scleroderma Association (RSA) in Parliament.

Under the inspirational direction of Chief Executive, Alsager resident, Anne Mawdsley, the charity based at 112 Crewe Road, Alsager has raised £12 million pounds since its creation.

Speaking at the event, Fiona Bruce MP said:

‘I am delighted to be hosting this Reception in Parliament for a charity which I am extremely proud to have within my Congleton Constituency. The RSA has increased awareness of Raynaud’s and Scleroderma, developed better communication between doctors and patients, made advancements in research, treatment and care and seen mortality rates decrease’.

Fiona read out the following message of congratulations to Anne Mawdesley and the RSA from the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister:

‘Please accept our congratulations to you and all of your team at the Raynaud’s and Scleroderma Association as you mark its 30^th Anniversary.

We are pleased to offer you our continued support. Your role is vital in supporting people with these often little known and poorly understood conditions, in improving their health, their quality of life and outcomes.

We wish you every success for the future’.

The event was attended by MPs, Peers and supporters of the RSA to mark the landmark occasion.

The RSA’S current fundraising campaign is its Cool Million campaign, which was launched by Fiona in August 2010 and has already raised £500,000 which will be used for further research into Scleroderma.

The President of the RSA, Professor Dame Carol Black, highlighted the progress which has been achieved over the past 30 years through the charity’s work:

‘From 1990 to the mid 2000s, survival for five years from the worst form of the disease improved from 69% - 84%. Through early meticulous screening we now recognise internal organ complications much sooner’.

Professor Black also went on to highlight some of the personal sponsored challenges which Anne Mawdesley has undertaken in order to help raise money for the RSA:

‘Anne has always challenged herself, and to date has raised £120,000 by personal sponsored challenges. Here are some of the things she has done:

• In 2000, swam a mile with Olympic swimmers Sharron Davies and David Wilkie
• In 2004, swam with sharks (not in a cage!) with David Wilkie
• In 2010, with Jo Kaddish, chair of Trustees, took a team of huskies across Finland in minus 30 degrees – a severe challenge given her Raynauds’.

In a moving and deeply thought provoking speech, Anne Mawdesley said:

‘I am in daily contact with people who have Raynaud’s and Scleroderma and have lost many friends to Scleroderma. Several new treatments are now available especially for the most life threatening aspects of the condition, such as pulmonary hypertension, which can dramatically change a person’s life. I believe that everyone deserves to have the best quality of life possible and therefore more research is needed to investigate causes and treatments.

My message to all present today is to stress the importance of early diagnosis and that timely access to the best evidence-based treatments should be available to all patients, irrespective of postcode or cost.

I would like to thank everyone who has been part of my journey. Without the support of our trustees, patrons, staff, family, friends, and everyone involved with the RSA, we would not be celebrating here today. This includes physicians and researchers who are vital to our future progress. My vision is that the Association will continue to grow and develop so that people with Raynaud’s and scleroderma will always have access to help, advice, the best treatments available and above all, hope for the future’.

Speaking from Parliament after the event, Fiona said:

‘This Reception showed how important the work of the RSA is and the stories told by both Carol and Anne touched all of those present, the reception was very well attended by RSA supporters who had travelled from all over the country. The highlight of the Reception was, however, passing on a message from the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister.’

Fiona continued:

‘I have no doubt that the message from 10 Downing Street will spur Anne and all the RSA’s supporters to continue their very important work and I look forward to supporting them on an ongoing basis’.

The mission of the Raynaud's & Scleroderma Association is to provide educational and emotional support for people with Raynaud's and scleroderma and their families. The Association is committed to increasing awareness of these potentially devastating conditions and raising money for essential research in order to determine cause, enhance treatment and ultimately find a cure.

The Association's aims are to:

• create a greater awareness of Raynaud's and scleroderma

• offer support, advice, and information to sufferers and their families

• put patients in touch with each other in order to exchange ideas and information
• assist in the welfare of the chronically sick, and those with disabilities resulting from Raynaud's and scleroderma

• raise funds to further research into these conditions and to disseminate the results of such research

• produce publications about Raynaud's and scleroderma

The Association has four main areas of funding:

• Welfare projects - to help individuals by offering advice, support and information and where appropriate, provide items of equipment which are not available on the NHS.
• Research projects - research is expensive and we are working hard to continue funding vital projects at specialist centres nationwide. There are many exciting projects and we hope that one day a cure and better treatments will result.
• Childhood Scleroderma - to support families of children with scleroderma and to fund research in this specific area.
• Running costs - in order to be able to support the day to day work of the Association, we need to fund our running costs which are kept to an absolute minimum.

Back row: (l to r) Fiona Bruce MP, Jim Dobbin MP, Anne Mawdsley (Chief Executive, RSA), Professor Dame Carol Black (President, RSA), David Amess MP

Front row: Baroness Masham of Ilton

To donate to the Cool Millions campaign visit: www.justgiving.com/rsamillion

Newton Court Care Home Visit

Fiona Bruce MP visits Newton Court Care Home to support their call for more volunteers

Fiona Bruce MP visited Newton Court Care Home last week.  The care home, located on St Ann’s Road, Middlewich, has 60 ensuite rooms and provides nursing care for the elderly and physically disabled.

Newton Court would like to invite more people to come and volunteer in the home with the residents.  The work of the volunteers is very important and much appreciated by the staff and residents.  There is a wide range of opportunities to volunteer from book reading to playing music to just chatting.

Newton Court also holds Special Interest Weeks such as a recent “Birdwatching Week” when a visitor showed photographs of a variety of birds in their habitats.  The care home’s Holiday at Home Weeks are also very popular when volunteers come in to talk about a country they have visited and special displays about the country are put on.  More ideas and volunteers for such weeks are always welcome and next week is a Book Week where people can go to read to the residents and in preparation, as shown in the photograph, residents have been making bookmarks.

Civil Aviation Bill

Fiona Bruce MP raises passenger safety concerns in Parliament regarding the need to extend ATOL cover and EU proposals to extend pilot flying hours

Fiona Bruce delivered a speech in the House of Commons this week on important changes proposed under the Civil Aviation Bill to improve ATOL protection for air travellers saying that “as a result of internet bookings and the increasingly popularity of “DIY package holidays” , the proportion of ATOL protected holidays has dropped from 97% of all leisure flights in 1997 to less than 50% in 2010 and, if action is not taken, will undoubtedly decrease further.”

The speech also raises the important issue of flying hours for pilots and the need to ensure crew and passenger safety.

Fiona Bruce is today writing to the Undersecretary of State for Transport, Norman Baker, who, due to time constraints in the debate, did not specifically respond to her concerns regarding the risk to pilot fatigue and passenger safety from proposed EU flight time regulations.  The concerns have been raised with her by a number of pilots living within the Congleton Constituency.

Local Resident writes new book on business

Fiona Bruce MP congratulates successful businessman and author on new book launch

Fiona Bruce MP, former winner of the Small Business Bureau’s Business Woman of the Year Award, met with local resident, Nick Bailey, at Congleton Business Centre, to hear about his new book Customers are F.I.C.K.L.E.^TM which will be on bookshelves soon.  The book aims to help businesses win more contracts and “Get Britain Selling”.

Congleton Resident, Nick, of Apexselling Ltd is a sales expert with 26 years experience.  “Without sales there is no business,” said Nick “and yet in the UK we tend to be too polite to ask for the order.  In other parts of the world, particularly the USA, sales is seen as a highly respected profession. We need to foster the same mindset here so we will be able to get the economy moving again.”

To help companies understand that selling is not only nothing to be timid about, but is in fact a very important part of any organisations capabilities, Nick has written a new book “Customers are F.I.C.K.L.E.^TM” which is being published by Filament Publishing.

It will provide readers with the methods and processes he has developed during his successful blue chip career which can rapidly improve individual and sales team performance. For example Nick says: “It’s about tenacity rather than procrastination.”

Fiona said: “I see a major part of my role as the MP for this area is to encourage local business, especially new business to establish and grow.  It is important that we encourage and promote the entrepreneurial spirit and advice like that in F.I.C.K.L.E.^TM, based on many years of practical experience in the field of sales could do just that for many budding entrepreneurs in this area!”

Nick Bailey says: “By selling more products and services both here and abroad will we be able to stabilise and then grow the economy and private sector growth and job creation is critical to this.”

Nick is a member of the East Chamber of Commerce and a strong supporter of local entrepreneurs.  This month he is holding free business clinics at Congleton Business Centre for young people interested in the Young Enterprise Awards Scheme, which is being run in this part of the country by East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce.