Each and every week I meet the most extraordinarily brilliant people in our area, who day after day carry out the most incredible work within our community.
Last week was no different, as I kicked off my Monday with a visit to the University of Southampton Science Park - which is very handily situated just minutes off of the M27 - to meet with the Park’s CEO Peter Birkett, and business mentor and SETsquared Centre Director, David Bream. I was fascinated to hear about the many success stories that started out at this science park - the businesses that have benefited from the excellent facilities, flexible approach and IT infrastructure as well as being within a community full of networking opportunities…and great coffee! These companies have gone on to produce incredible innovations in technology which will in time - and in some cases already are – improving our daily lives, from genetic detection of virus’ such as Swine Flu and Ebola, to sensing rogue nuclear materials and creating futuristic knee and hip replacements.
One area of scientific research that rightly gets a great deal of attention - and something that through personal experience I am very passionate about - is research into improving cancer care. In June I caught up with Cancer Research UK’s Campaigns Ambassador and Eastleigh constituent Caroline Dale to speak about how we can improve outcomes for people diagnosed with cancer, but also help those people through what will likely be one of the most challenging periods of their life. During our chat Caroline spoke incredibly highly of the Haven, an excellent facility that we are so lucky to have locally, providing a wide range of services and supportive therapies which help people to deal with the physical and emotional side effects of breast cancer completely free of charge. So last week I popped in to visit the amazing team at the Breast Cancer Haven. Me and my team are now busy putting plans together for a fundraising event a bit later this year to support their incredible work. Keep an eye out in this regular column for more details!
In the meantime, one event that is fast approaching is Eastleigh’s FIRST EVER Pride event, set to take place on Saturday 8th September! I am looking forward to joining the local community to celebrate how far we have come on LGBT+ rights in the UK, but also to recognise that much more remains to be done. Since becoming Eastleigh’s MP, I have worked really closely with local resident and LGBT+ campaigner, Tara Maclachlan, over issues affecting the local transgender community. Last week, that included listening to people share their heartfelt views over the Government’s plans to change the Gender Recognition Act at a Forum Event in Hamble, and why the consultation that is currently underway is so important to them personally, as well as the community that they identify within. My thanks again to Tara who in conjunction with Hampshire Police’s force lead on LGBT+ and gender equality, Chief Inspector Julie Fry, brought this brilliant event together.
Finally for this week’s column, while I was out and about in the constituency last week, I was joined by my trusted pooch, TJ the Cockapoo! Like many of you, I absolutely adore animals, and it is therefore little surprise that during my time working alongside Ministers at DEFRA I have been so passionate about improving Animal Welfare. This year, the Government has confirmed plans to increase the maximum sentence for animal cruelty, ban electric shock collars and hold a consultation on puppy sales. This could result in an outright ban meaning anyone looking to buy or adopt a puppy or kitten must either deal directly with the breeder or with one of the nation’s many animal rehoming centres. These are all really important steps forward for animal welfare standards here in the UK, and I’ll be sure to keep you all updated as they progress!
In the meantime, please have an enjoyable weekend.