Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Over the last two weeks Parliament has had its Easter recess. Many MPs have used the time like I have, campaigning in our constituencies and visiting local organisations.
Last week I visited the Sivayogam Temple on Upper Tooting Road and met religious leaders and members of its congregation. It was also the Tamil New Year and I would like to take this opportunity to wish all Tooting Tamils a Happy New Year.
I also visited the White Pigeon charity on Tooting High Street (for details of their work please visit their website. The charity does amazing work in Sri Lanka but is very concerned about the kidnapping of local aid workers in Sri Lanka. I have made representations on their behalf to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and received assurances that the British High Commission has raised this issue with the Sri Lankan authorities.
The Wandsworth Pensioners Forum had their AGM last week. I made a short speech then answered questions from members. The Wandsworth Pensioners Forum do a great job representing the interests of local pensioners, lobbying key agencies and offer fantastic facilities for the senior citizens of Tooting and Wandsworth. One of the things members discussed was how they liked to be referred to: pensioners/senior citizens/OAPs/elders etc. I made the point that although, of course, it was important to determine how to most appropriately refer to our older citizens, it was more important to ensure they are well treated. The theme of my short speech was "dignity." I also had a meeting with a senior representative of the EAGA partnership about my local campaign to encourage our older citizens to take advantage of the support towards home insulation installation under the Warm Front Scheme.
The Wandsworth Carers Centre recently received the great news that they were successful in being awarded money from the Big Lottery Fund for the continuation of the Asian Development Project. This means that the future of the project has been assured for a further three years. I joined the celebrations with both service users and staff. Please click here for the photo and here for the press release.
Sadiq
Last week I visited the Sivayogam Temple on Upper Tooting Road and met religious leaders and members of its congregation. It was also the Tamil New Year and I would like to take this opportunity to wish all Tooting Tamils a Happy New Year.
I also visited the White Pigeon charity on Tooting High Street (for details of their work please visit their website. The charity does amazing work in Sri Lanka but is very concerned about the kidnapping of local aid workers in Sri Lanka. I have made representations on their behalf to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and received assurances that the British High Commission has raised this issue with the Sri Lankan authorities.
The Wandsworth Pensioners Forum had their AGM last week. I made a short speech then answered questions from members. The Wandsworth Pensioners Forum do a great job representing the interests of local pensioners, lobbying key agencies and offer fantastic facilities for the senior citizens of Tooting and Wandsworth. One of the things members discussed was how they liked to be referred to: pensioners/senior citizens/OAPs/elders etc. I made the point that although, of course, it was important to determine how to most appropriately refer to our older citizens, it was more important to ensure they are well treated. The theme of my short speech was "dignity." I also had a meeting with a senior representative of the EAGA partnership about my local campaign to encourage our older citizens to take advantage of the support towards home insulation installation under the Warm Front Scheme.
The Wandsworth Carers Centre recently received the great news that they were successful in being awarded money from the Big Lottery Fund for the continuation of the Asian Development Project. This means that the future of the project has been assured for a further three years. I joined the celebrations with both service users and staff. Please click here for the photo and here for the press release.
Sadiq
