Archive for the ‘Charities’ Category
MP stands up for pregnant refugees
Posted by admin | Filed under Charities, Community Relations, Family, Health, Immigration, Parliament
Richard Fuller MP with refugee at ‘Dignity in Pregnancy’ event – Feb 2013
MP for Bedford and Kempston, Richard Fuller, spoke out for pregnant women in the asylum system at an event in Parliament on Monday 25 February.
Richard was hosting the launch of new research from The Refugee Council and Maternity Action that showed UK Border Agency policies are putting the health of hundreds of pregnant women and their babies at risk, by moving them to accommodation around the country, thereby removing them from essential healthcare and leading to isolation.
The charities are calling for women in the asylum system to be allowed to prepare for motherhood and access the healthcare they need.
Richard Fuller MP said:
“Every woman should be allowed dignity in pregnancy, no matter what their immigration status. The Government has recognised this with recent changes but I want to see them go further to ensure a health pregnancy and birth.”
The report explains that asylum seeking women in the UK have high risk pregnancies, often due to serious mental and physical health conditions having fled torture, or sexual violence in their own countries. The study found, however, that due to UKBA’s policies, such women are being separated from the specialist treatment they need throughout their pregnancies, contrary to guidance from the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).
Big Society fund supports voluntary sector in Bedford & Kempston
Posted by admin | Filed under Bedford & Kempston, Charities
Richard Fuller MP has welcomed the news that money from the Government’s Big Society Transition Fund will support the voluntary sector in Bedford & Kempston.
The funding, part of the third wave of payouts from the £107 million Transition Fund, is being paid out to several local charities: Advocacy Alliance, Bedford and District Citizens Advice Bureau, Bedford Race and Equalities Council, Energize Transformation Partnerships, Relate Bedfordshire and Luton, and Youth Matters.
The Transition Fund provides grants to these organisations to allow them to prepare for the future opportunities opened up by the Big Society. The money will fund the crucial changes that charities need to make to take advantage of the new opportunities available to them from opening up public sector contracts. So far more than 900 charities nationally have received support from the Transition Fund.
Richard commented:
“I’m pleased that the Government is committed to supporting charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises across the Eastern region.
“It’s great to hear that Advocacy Alliance, which provides support to people with learning disabilities, mental health issues, the elderly and vulnerable adults will receive nearly £250,000 of funding.
“Youth Matters was also awarded £37,500 to support its provision of informal education for excluded young people through work-based learning programmes – this is excellent news for everyone in Bedford and Kempston.”
