Airport is on the up with Baby Room
As the MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, I am so delighted that 138 businesses and organisations across Renfrewshire are now signed up to the national Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland (BFS) scheme.
BFS is a project that businesses can sign up to for free and aims to help businesses and breastfeeding mothers know their rights.
Those who join the scheme are committing to providing a safe space for women to feed their children, as many face anxiety or embarrassment about it when out in public – having that bit of reassurance and understanding from your local community is so beneficial.
When I was elected as MSP in 2021, my constituency office on Paisley Road became only the second venue in Renfrewshire to sign up to BFS. Therefore, I made it a personal mission of mine to promote the scheme, so I am delighted with this incredible progress, and I would encourage any local businesses who has not signed up already to do so.
I was pleased to learn that Glasgow Airport is now breastfeeding-friendly, with staff receiving training around the business’ responsibilities and the rights of those who wish to breastfeed on their premises.
As one of the biggest employers within the constituency, this is a significant step forward as it sets a positive example of our values to anyone visiting Scotland. I applaud Glasgow Airport for these efforts to create a truly inclusive environment for all visitors.
In addition to this, it was a pleasure to visit Glasgow Airport to officially open their new Baby Room, which is a quiet area for parents travelling with infants and children.
The facility is stationed with baby-changing areas, bottle warmers, a private feeding room and a TV to keep the little ones entertained.
As a mum of two young children myself, I know how challenging travelling can be – I am sure that the Baby Room, which is the first of its kind within Scottish airports, will be a great support to families and I welcome this action from the airport to create an inclusive environment.
As the Scottish Government minister for children, young people and Keeping the Promise, I have been leading on the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill which was passed by parliament last week.
This Bill makes vital changes in the law to improve children’s experiences of our care and justice systems, enhancing support and information for victims and ending the use of young offenders’ institutions for all children under 18 – with secure care being the normal place of detention instead.
It also aligns with wider ambitions of incorporating the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into domestic law and the Scottish Government’s ambition to Keep the Promise by 2030.
I believe that the passing of this legislation is a vital step in our journey to transforming the lives of children, especially those who need extra care and protection, and I am extremely thankful to all those who helped us get to this point.