Catching up with the community
BY RENFREWSHIRE SOUTH MSP TOM ARTHUR
This past couple of weeks in Renfrewshire South, I have had lots of interesting meetings and visits with local organisations.
First off was a catch-up with Gemma Hill at Hill Eyecare practice on Linwood’s Bridge Street.
I was contacted by Optometry Scotland to organise the visit to find out more about the business and the vital health services that they provide.
It was a pleasure to meet with Gemma and the team to hear about their work in the community, raising awareness of the importance of eye health and the emotional and financial support available from the eyecare providers.
I was fascinated to see their state-ofthe-art imaging equipment which can detect a whole range of conditions at very early stages, allowing the experts to give advice to their patients on lifestyle changes to prevent or manage further progression. I would encourage anyone experiencing issues with their eyes or eyesight, to get in touch with your local eyecare provider for advice.
At the beginning of this week, I visited Barrhead High to give my congratulations to head teacher Fiona Johnston after their amazing inspection report from
Education Scotland, published in January.
As a former Barrhead High pupil myself, I was delighted to have the opportunity to visit the campus, speaking to S5 modern studies pupils and answering their varied range of questions, which fairly put me through my paces first thing on a Monday morning!
It was also really good to have a chat with some of the inspiring young people getting involved in the learner enquiry project in partnership with Strathclyde University where pupils are empowered to research and advocate for the changes they would like to see in their school, putting learners at the heart of all decisions.
It is no surprise having spoken to the young people and senior management who support them, that Education Scotland described the school as “sectorleading”.
The fact that 100 per cent of Barrhead High leavers are achieving positive destinations is testament to their fantastic programme of education and preparation for the world of work and further studies.
Well done to the whole school community for your well-earned successes and I very much look forward to see what’s coming next.
I have always strived to be as accessible an MSP as possible, with a high street constituency office in Johnstone and regular advice surgeries. I am continuously looking at different ways to engage with constituents, to ensure that as many people as possible can access the help and advice that they require from me.
My most recent local engagement session was at Morrisons supermarket in Johnstone and I have planned a series of subsequent events during the spring months at supermarkets in Johnstone, Linwood and Barrhead.
Following on from a very successful programme of street surgeries last year in communities all over the constituency, I will be arranging more in the next few months, with a focus on areas affected most by the Westminster-made cost-ofliving crisis.
Letters will be going out to households in each of the locations once a date and time is organised, so if you are in need of assistance, please contact me to arrange an appointment.
Of course, my office is always available to help and you can get in touch by telephone on 01505 331 990 or email me at tom.arthur.msp@parliament.scot