Chantry Community Charity
Fantastic lunch this afternoon at the multiple award winning Codfellas in Chantry. Every other week that goes by Ozzie and his team seem to receive another reward recognising their fantastic produce.
Main reason for visiting was to discuss the Chantry Community Charity that he has established to raise money for important local causes. There is a box in Codfellas but Ozzie is now looking to distribute them across Chantry. I understand the Kingfisher will be getting hold of some soon.
Two great reasons to donate. There is a promise that every penny is spent on good causes and that every penny will be spent in Chantry.
Stone Lodge Lane West Resurfacing
Very pleased with the resurfacing work that has been carried out on Stone Lodge Lane West. When I carried out a transport survey in Chantry last year Sheldrake Drive and Stone Lodge Lane West came up as the the two biggest issues. Very pleased they have both now need addressed. Two of the worst road surfaces in Ipswich now two of the best.
Both myself and the new team of Conservative councillors in Chantry will continue to work hard to address other road and pavement quality issues in Chantry.
Suffolk Young People’s Health Project
Visited 4YP (Suffolk Young People’s Health Project) yesterday on Lower Brook Street. It does great work as a local charity coordinating services that improve the social, emotional, and physical health and wellbeing of young people in Suffolk, aged 12-25.
Enjoyed meeting the young people there and learning more about what they’ve been up to and how the programme has been working. Was tasked with listing all 50 US states on the white board, got to 46.
It is one of the many providers in Ipswich working as part of the Holiday Activity and Food Programme.
Inspire Centre
For the second summer in a row I visited the Inspire Centre on Lindbergh Road today. . Last summer Ipswich was a pilot for the Holiday activities and food programme and now its been extended across the country its back again this summer.
Eligible children are entitled to 15 days of food and activities over the summer holiday. I was very pleased when the Government announced their intention to turn the pilots into a more permanent scheme and that the great work I saw last summer could be continued.
I think its important that as many young people as possible many who have missed lots of time at school are able to benefit from these sorts of activities and programmes. Good for both physical and mental health, learning and of course they get a nutritious meal.
Well done to everyone at Inspire Suffolk who is working so hard to make this happen. And the goalie who managed to save 2/3 of my questionable penalties.
Special Educational Needs
I am very pleased to have received this reply from the Prime Minister, following my letter on better support for prisoner education and an increase in recognition on the link between special educational needs (SEN) and crime. I am glad that since my original letter to the Prime Minister, where I outlined the importance of SEN education and cutting crime, I have held promising talks in Number 10 with key advisors on this vital issue. I am also encouraged by the positive engagement shown by the Prime Minister in the form of this detailed response.
While the Prime Minister’s letter does not go quite as far as I would like, it is encouraging that he recognises the connection between prisoners and the support for students with SEND.
I think it is vitally important that all prisoners have a meeting with an educational psychologist and receive any diagnosis for learning conditions, in order for us to fully understand the large scale of the problem and of course to be able to tailor prison education to their needs. I will continue to work hard for this end goal. We must make sure that the education system supports all styles of learning and does not marginalise students who ignore school and are more likely to turn to a life of crime.
This letter is a positive step and I hope that it elevates the importance of SEND and increased funding. I will continue my important work on the Education Select Committee on this subject and will endeavour to see action is taken over the coming months.
