The ongoing situation in Ukraine is a crisis that will not wait. That is why last week I took the opportunity to ask the Home Secretary a question about how we can get a real sense of coordination and urgency in helping Ukrainian refugees.
It has been heart-warming to have been contacted by many residents here in Swindon who are keen to get involved and welcome refugees into their own homes. This is a wonderful testament to our community and it makes me a proud local Member of Parliament.
I am pleased that the Government’s Homes for Ukraine Scheme – a bespoke scheme which offers a route to those who want to come to the United Kingdom and have someone here willing to provide them with a home – has now opened.
If you are interested in getting involved in the scheme, you can register and find out more information via: https://homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk/.
Over the weekend it was great to be able to join volunteers in the Railway Village to help plant trees as part of the Green Canopy Initiative to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
I was able to join Parish Councillor Suresh Gattapur and others at another tree planting session in West Swindon. Ensuring our community is as green as possible is something I am passionate and would strongly encourage others to get involved with future sessions.
It is great to see excellent progress being made on the new Radiotherapy Centre at the Great Western Hospital. Alongside Justin Tomlinson MP, I am pleased to have helped secure the funding required to deliver much-needed lifesaving cancer treatments here in Swindon.
A special thank you must go again to the brilliant Brighter Futures team who led the way in raising money to help purchase equipment for the Centre, including organising a gingerbread run fun and a music marathon.
As avid readers of my weekly Swindon Advertiser articles will already know, I am passionate about supporting Swindon’s bid to become the home of the new Great British Railways headquarters.
Swindon Works was once one of the largest engineering complexes in the world, and its peak in the 1930s, was capable of producing three locomotives a week! But it is not just our history which makes us the perfect location, but also our present.
The Borough Council, who are leading on our bid, are asking for residents to get involved and share their views on the competition. I strongly encourage everybody to do this via: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/8M0QF2/.
On Monday 21st March is World Down Syndrome Day and this years the Swindon Downs Group are encouraging the local community to wear #LotsOfSocks to help raise awareness. Do not forget to share your bright socks on social media alongside the hashtag.
More information can be found at: https://www.swindondownsgroup.org.uk/.
