Member of Parliament for South Shields
Shields Gazette 2007
Volunteers deserve our thanks and gratitude
Last Friday I was delighted to welcome my brother, Ed, to South Shields in his capacity as Minister for the Voluntary Sector. Ed has been to South Shields quite a few times, but not in an official capacity.
In South Shields we have thousands of people volunteering their time for many worthwhile causes – whether it is as a helper in a charity shop or serving tea for visitors at South Tyneside Hospital. Volunteers deserve our thanks and gratitude.
On Friday, Ed and I met the staff and volunteers at the Citizens Advice Bureau in South Shields. I know of the work that the CAB do first hand, as one of their advisors helps me at my regular surgeries. The CAB has a dedicated team – many of whom are volunteers offering advice from debt problems to employment issues. It is thanks to these volunteers that the services offered by the CAB can be kept going and many South Tynesiders have benefited greatly from their assistance.
I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to Ian and his team for all that they are doing at the CAB.
Just around the corner is another group of volunteers who are making a real difference. WHIST – Women’s Health in South Tyneside. WHIST has grown from humble beginnings in a room in Flagg Court where local women offered advice and information on a voluntary basis to new premises on Mile End Road. WHIST has flourished over the years and now offers a wide range of integrated health provisions and services.
If you are a woman looking to expand your computer skills, perhaps take up some physical activities or gain a nationally recognised qualification, why not call in and see Angela and the team at WHIST – they are doing a great job.
In the afternoon Ed met up with Stephen Hepburn, MP for Jarrow to look around the fantastic facilities at Primrose Learning Village. The management and staff at Primrose have a real sense of pride and it is clear that the community appreciate all the services on offer at the centre. Ed was very interested to hear of the centre’s vision for the future. After the tour, Ed met representative from across the region who are involved in the voluntary sector to hear first hand what they thought the government was doing well and what could be done better. It is these types of events that help decide government policy as Ministers can take on board what they have heard or seen.
In my role as MP, I meet many people who give up their time to help others in the borough. I would like to thank each and every one of you for what you do. It really does make a difference to our communities.