UK Parliament Week: 14-22 November 2016
UK Parliament Week, now in its sixth year is a programme of events and activities that connects people with the UK Parliament explores what the UK parliament means and how people can get involved with the political process.
If you want to find out more go to http://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/
To mark Srebrenica Memorial Day, Alan Brown MP honoured those who were murdered during the genocide 21 years ago.
The Kilmarnock and Loudoun politician signed the Remembering Srebrenica Book of Pledges, promising to play his part in ensuring that the lessons from the genocide are learnt and community cohesion is strengthened in Kilmarnock and Loudoun.
Today marks the 21st anniversary of the worst atrocity on European soil since World War Two when over 8,000 men and boys were murdered just because of their faith. The Charity Remembering Srebrenica, which organises memorial events across the UK, says that this year it is time to act to counter the rising threat of Hate Crime in the UK.
Alan said: "We must always remember the atrocity and suffering at Srebrenica, and hope that one day all these type of acts will to confined to history worldwide."
“Srebrenica Memorial Day reminds us all that a shocking genocide took place only 21 years ago and this should never be forgotten. I strongly encourage everyone to take this day as an opportunity to remember the victims and survivors of Srebrenica, but also to work together to make our own community a place of safety that welcomes and cherishes diversity.”
Srebrenica Memorial Week takes places from 10th – 17th July, with hundreds of local commemorative events taking place across the country arranged by schools, faith groups and community organisations, as well as UK and national events taking place in London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast remembering the victims of the genocide.
On 11 July 1995 General Ratko Mladić and his Bosnian Serb forces marched into the town of Srebrenica and systematically murdered 8372 Bosnian Muslim men and boys.
In 1993, Srebrenica had been declared a UN Safe Area, under the watch of the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR). In July 1995, Serbian paramilitary units overran and captured the town, despite its designation as an area 'free from any armed attack or any other hostile act.
Remembering Srebrenica is a charitable initiative part-funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government, and supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Since April 2014, more than 800 leaders and key figures have gone on Lessons from Srebrenica visits to Bosnia. The charity has also developed education packs on the lessons of the Srebrenica genocide for use in secondary schools in the UK, which have led to over 21,000 young people being educated on the issues.
For further information on the work of the charity please visit:
Website: http://srebrenica.org.uk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rememberingsrebrenica
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SrebrenicaUK
Or contact Joe Peacock on 0121 454 3343 or email: joe.peacock@srebrenica.org.uk
Read MoreI visited the drop in hosted by Heart Valve Voice in Parliament on the 5th July to learn more about heart valve disease in the UK and to help support Heart Valve Voice’s awareness campaign. Heart valve disease affects a high proportion of the UK population, yet it's worrying that there are such low levels of awareness and concern across the country. The work of Heart Valve Voice in raising awareness is very important and I welcome their efforts in seeking to improve diagnosis and treatment of heart valve disease.
Read MoreThis week is Diabetes Awareness Week (Sun 12th to Sat 18th June) and the theme is 'Setting the record Straight'. Many people are aware of the condition but not about how it affects those that have Diabetes.
"...Just about everyone has heard about diabetes. And, with 3.5 million people diagnosed in the UK and a further 549,000 who have the condition but don't yet know it, most of us know a friend or family member living with diabetes. And yet it’s still hugely misunderstood, and there are so many myths and misconceptions out there that this year, the theme is Setting the record straight."
Find out more about Diabetes, if you are at risk from type 2 Diabetes and how to manage the condition so that it doesn't develop into something more serious and have further health implications.
Read MoreStress is a major factor in both physical and mental health and Men's Health Week (13th-19th June) is focussing on this to highlight how you can reduce stress in your life and cope with it better.
Everyone has stress in their lives to a varying degree and 1 in 4 men will develop a mental health problem. If thats you or you feel stress is getting too much, find out about ways to beat the stress at https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/mhw
https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/beat-stress-chat
Read MoreAlzheimer Scotland is asking everyone to Challenge Dementia as part of their Dementia Awareness Week (30th May to 5th June) and talk about dementia to challenge discrimination, isolation and stigma.
"With over 90,000 people in Scotland living with dementia and the number set to double in a generation, we need to take action now to support those living with the illness along with thousands of partners, carers, family members and friends. By talking about dementia we improve our understanding and we break down the stigma." - Henry Simmons, Chief Executive, Alzheimer Scotland
You can find out more about Dementia Awareness Week at Alzheimer Scotlands webpage. http://www.alzscot.org/
If you or someone you know has Dementia in the Kilmarnock and Loudoun areathe Kilmarnock Dementia Resource Centre can provide information, advice, personalised support services, or activities in your community.
Kilmarnock Dementia Resource Centre,
8-12 College Wynd, Kilmarnock, KA1 1HN
Phone - 01563 542621
Email - AyrshireServices@alzscot.org
Read More
Children’s Hospice Week is running from 23rd to 29th May. It is the is the UK's only awareness and fundraising week for children with life-shortening conditions, their families and the palliative care services that support them.
I have added my name in support of the Early Day Motion raised in Westminster this week to help raise awareness of groups like ‘Together for Short Lives’ and ‘Children’s Hospice Association Scotland’.
If you would like to support these worthy charitie...s or want to know how you can volunteer you can find out more through the links below.
Together for Shorter Lives - http://www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk/childrenshospiceweek
Children’s Hospice Association Scotland - http://www.chas.org.uk/
Early Day Motion - http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2016-17/54
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has launched #powertothebump as part of their ongoing work to tackle pregnancy and maternity discrimination, a digital campaign to help young expectant and new mums understand and use their rights at work.
Their research shows that young mothers are significantly more likely to experience pregnancy and maternity discrimination, with six times as many under 25 year olds reporting being dismissed from their jobs after they tell their ...employer they are pregnant.
It is based on the insight and feedback that shows young women have lower awareness of their rights, were typically in less stable employment situations, and were worried or lacked confidence to talk to their manager about things that were troubling them – and so felt under pressure to hand in their notice or leave their job rather than raise these issues.
For further information and top tips for young mums please visit the Commission's website:
https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/power-bump
Read MoreA new survey conducted by patient charity, Crohn’s and Colitis UK, has found that 100,000 patients in the UK with Inflammatory Bowel Disease(IBD) don’t have access to adequate care. IBD Nurses are instrumental in improving the quality of life for patients with IBD as well as helping to cut significant costs to the NHS, yet many health services are not offering the recommended nursing level.
The specialist nurse role provides expert advanced nursing care, being the first point of contact and caring, often during distressing times - coordinating often high cost therapies in a cost effective way - as well as reducing A&E visits, with studies showing that IBD nurses help with a 38% reduction in hospital visits and a 19% reduction in in-patient length of stay. IBD costs the NHS £900 million per year, with the average cost per patient being £3000 per year. These costs are comparable to diabetes or cancer as treatment options can include effective, high cost biological drugs and surgery...
Read MoreTaking care of your Mental Health is very important and your relationships have a huge part to play in keeping you healthy and happy. The Mental Health Foundation is using the theme of ‘Relationships’ as part of this year’s Mental Health Awareness week (16th-22nd May)
Find out more about Mental Health Awareness Week 2016 online through The Mental Health Foundation. If you need more information on who to talk to about your own Mental Health or how to look after your Mental Health check out the links below.
The Mental Health Foundation - Looking after your Mental Health
The Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) - Where to go to get help
See Me Scotland - End Mental Health Discrimination
Why don't you take the Daily Relationship challenge?
Read MoreThis is the Constituency webpage of Alan Brown MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun.
You can find out what Alan has been working on in the Westminster Parliament and the issues he has raised and is supporting.
You can contact him through the page regarding any personal enquiries, or make him aware of any local issues and local campaigns to the Kilmarnock and Loudoun Constituency.
