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Welcome to the latest issue of my weekly newsletter.
As this week is half-term, it’s also Parliamentary recess, and I’m spending the week in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory as part of a delegation with CAABU, the Council for Arab-British Understanding, and MAP, Medical Aid for Palestinians. This is an opportunity for me to see first hand the situation in the region, and particularly the development situation caused by the conflict.
Because of this, this issue of my newsletter will be focused on Israel and Palestine, explaining in simple terms the situation there, what effect that has had on the people living in the region, and what I’ve been doing while I’m there.
Read on to find out more…
As I’ve said before, I will strive to send you a newsletter like this each Friday to keep you updated on the work I’m doing in Parliament as well as in our community, and to inform you of any interesting events taking place in our area. To help me with the latter, if you are running or know of anything that you think may be of interest to others, feel free to drop me an email at alex.norris.mp@parliament.uk and I will include it in future issues. Please also forward it onto anyone you think may be interested.
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The occupied Palestinian territory, as it is called now (this has changed several times), refers to territories occupied by Israel, namely the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza strip, found on the coastal border with Egypt.
While conflict in the region goes back millennia, the current situation in the region begins around 1948, from when the occupied Palestinian territory was ruled by Jordan and Egypt, following the 1947-1949 Palestine war, which culminated in the establishment of the state of Israel.
This was the case until 1967, when the Six-Day War in June led to the territories being invaded and occupied by Israel. Although this occupation has never been accepted, and Israeli sovereignty never having been recognised by any country, since the unilateral annexation of territory occupied during war contravenes the Fourth Geneva Convention, Israel has maintained control since, and in 1980, it officially absorbed East Jerusalem and has proclaimed the whole of Jerusalem to be its capital. The inclusion, though never formally amounting to legal annexation, was condemned internationally and declared "null and void" by the United Nations Security Council.
Palestine declared Independence from Israel in 1998, and in 1993, following the Oslo Accords, parts of the territories politically came under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian National Authority, while Israel still exercised full military control and, civil control over 61% of the West Bank. Israel disengaged from the Gaza Strip in 2005.
More recently, in 2012 the UN reaffirmed "the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to independence in their State of Palestine on the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967" and decided "to accord to Palestine non-member observer State status in the United Nations". It continues to treat Palestine as a non-sovereign entity, preventing its admission to UN General Assembly membership as a full member state. Since then, 135 UN Member States have recognised the state of Palestine, not including the United Kingdom.
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As you would expect, the humanitarian effect of such a long conflict has been extraordinary.
There are various different reports on the numbers of deaths, and there is much dispute amongst different figures, but as reported by the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem, since 29 September 2000 a total of 7,454 Palestinian and Israeli individuals were killed due to the conflict. According to the report, 1,317 of the 6,371 Palestinians were minors, and at least 2,996 did not participate in fighting at time of death.
There have also been thousands of deaths of combatants, and mass displacement. There are currently 1.9 million Palestinians living in Gaza, of which 72% are registered refugees. Of these, over 500,000 are living below the abject poverty line, 47.2% are unemployed, 55,000 families are in need of shelter assistance and over 80,000 children suffering psychological trauma require specialized support.
In the West Bank, things aren’t quite as horrific, but 28% of 2.9 million of the Palestinian population are registered refugees. 255,000 of these refugees are food insecure and while the employment rate is better too, it is still 22.7%.
This situation is horribly concerning. The blockade of Gaza undermines basic human rights and economic prospects, as well as the availability of essential services. These restrictions should be lifted.
I am committed to pressing for a comprehensive peace in the region based on a two-state solution but this will require both sides avoiding actions that make it harder to achieve. This must mean an end to the blockade of Gaza, an end to the occupation of Palestinian territory and an end to illegal settlement construction. It must also mean an end to rocket and terror attacks and a move away from extreme and entrenched positions.
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I arrived in Tel Aviv on Monday, and will be flying home soon, so I’ve had 3 full days, as well as this morning and Monday evening, to meet people, visit important development sites and examine the impact of the conflict. Here are some of the things I’ve done:
- On arrival in Jerusalem on Monday, I met with Philip Hall OBE, the British Consul General, to be briefed on the region. The Consul General is the senior UK official in a Consulate General and represents the UK government, acting to assist and protect the citizens of the consul's own country, and to facilitate trade and friendship between the people of the two countries.
- On Tuesday, I joined Military Court Watch, an organisation which monitors the treatment of children in Israeli military detention, before visiting Aida Refugee camp near Bethlehem with the UN Relief and Works Agency, which houses just over 3,000 refugees currently, although this has previously been higher.
- On Wednesday, I visited the Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem, where casualties of the conflict are treated, before heading to Hebron, another Palestinian city about 20 miles to the south of Jerusalem.
- Yesterday i was in the Jordan Valley with Palestinian NGO Al-Haq. The valley forms the border between Jordan to the east, and Israel and the West Bank to the west, and is an area of ongoing territorial dispute, with the Israel government recently stating plans to annex it.
- I didn’t have much time this morning before heading to the airport, but I did squeeze in a short bit of tourism, with a walk around Jerusalem’s Old CIty, which is home to several sites of key religious importance, including the Western (or Wailing) Wall and the Dome of the Rock.
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Looking Ahead to Next Week
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Next week will surely be far more ordinary, as I return to Parliament. On Friday in Nottingham I will be joining Lilian Greenwood and Nadia Whittome, my fellow Nottingham MPs, as we visit Nottinghamshire Deaf Society. I’ll tell you more about that next week.
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I want these emails to be as interesting as possible. That means there’ll be some politics – it’s important that I am held accountable. But I also want to offer information about what’s on locally. So, if you have an event you’d like me to advertise, let me know.
If you would like your events advertised here, or further information on those advertised, please email me at alex.norris.mp@parliament.uk.
That’s all for now! Details of how to get in touch or to have a look at the things I’m doing are below…
All the best,
Alex
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LIFE (Main Street, Bulwell) are offering individuals the opportunity to gain work experience, help to update a C.V. and gain a qualification in a relaxed, no pressure environment.
This is open to all citizens aged 16-29 with a learning difficulty/disability and to citizens with a long term health condition who are not currently employed/in education or training.
Courses will run every Wednesday from 1-3pm.
For more information please contact Suzie or Janet on 0115 975 7712
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So, what exactly is The Friendly Bench™?
The Friendly Bench™ is a movement to tackle loneliness, social isolation and community disconnectedness using our innovative outdoor social spaces that reconnect people back to their own community.
Specially designed, constructed and adhering to Disability Discrimination Act guidelines on seating and physical impairment, The Friendly Bench™ are safe, easily accessible mini-community gardens with integrated seating and sensory planting which are situated within communities for people to meet, chat, connect with nature, build friendships and develop a sense of belonging.
The Friendly Bench™ are also active, social hubs where free activities and events are regularly held to encourage everyone to participate, have fun, feel accepted, valued and develop a support network.
Every The Friendly Bench™ is independently managed, funded and run by it’s own voluntary group for their own community. As a member of The Friendly Bench™ network, each group receives free ongoing advice, support, sharing of best practice, marketing resources, publicity and promotion from The Friendly Bench™ CIC team.
Every The Friendly Bench™, wherever it is based in the country, aims to reduce loneliness, social isolation and help build a more inclusive, connected community.
Benefits of The Friendly Bench™ include:
· Increased social interaction.
· Improved wellbeing and self-esteem
· Improved physical and mental health
· Reduced loneliness and social isolation
· Increased community resilience.
· Increased connection with nature (and the wildlife benefits that brings).
· Increased connection with local services
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Would you like to be able to read music?
20-minute on-to-one sessions are available on Friday mornings for people starting out with keyboards who would like to progress with acquiring skills and fluency.
If interested, please contact Rodney Yates on 0115 975 3605.
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Action Tutoring is a national charity that has just arrived in Nottingham and is looking for volunteers to tutor at local schools.
We help pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds gain the crucial grades they need at GCSE in English and maths. We bring dedicated volunteers into schools, giving an hour a week to tutor pupils for at least a term (8–10 weeks) in a local school.
Why should you get involved?
- Give back to your community; share your knowledge and skills with pupils that will value them.
- Gain fantastic experience for your CV and a reference upon completion of a programme.
- Develop new friendships and meet like-minded people in your community.
- All volunteers receive initial training covering everything they need to know, from the current school curriculum to vital safeguarding information.
- Every single volunteer receives a ton of ongoing support; we invest in our volunteers as well as the pupils we work with. You will get access to our specialised resources and learning materials.
- We carry out a FREE DBS check for all our tutors.
- The commitment is just one hour a week for the duration of a term (8–10 weeks), although most of our volunteers will choose to continue for longer.
- You are able to expense up to £5 of travel every week if this would be a barrier to you taking part.
If you know anyone that would like to get involved, please spread the word so we can make a difference to more young people in Nottingham.
If this sounds like something you’d like to get involved in, please complete our simple online application or call us for more information.
https://actiontutoring.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer-as-a-tutor/
Phone: 0203 872 5894
Email: sara@actiontutoring.org.uk
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Are you, or is someone you know?
✔️ In Year 12
✔️ Attending a state school
✔️ Thinking about applying to university
Check out the SuttonTrust SummerSchools programme! https://summerschools.suttontrust.com/
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Nottingham Martial Arts Academy and Life Skills School
I was recently contacted by John Robertson, Owner and Head Coach at Nottingham Martial Arts Academy. He shared the following about the services his school provides:
Mentoring is a powerful personal development and empowerment tool. It is an effective way of helping people to progress in their lives and is becoming increasingly popular as its potential is realised. It is a partnership between two people and is a helpful relationship based upon mutual trust and respect. A mentor is a guide who can help the student to find the right direction and who can help them to develop solutions to issues that the student needs to resolve to achieve great things.
Mentors rely upon having had similar experiences to gain empathy with the student and an understanding of their issues. A mentor should help the student to believe in themselves and boost their confidence. A mentor should ask questions and challenge while providing guidance and encouragement.
Mentoring allows the student to explore new ideas in confidence. Mentoring is about becoming more self-aware, taking responsibility for your life and directing your life in the direction you decide, rather than leaving it to chance.
The Life Skills Mentoring Courses
The Life Skills team have developed three very effective mentoring courses for young people, who are attached to the main Life Skills course. Each mentor course is designed to be delivered to young people with specific characteristics or personality issues which have led to either bad behaviour, a serious lack of confidence or for young people that excel in a particular activity and require some assistance to further improve their performance both mentally and physically.
We also look at emotions and how emotions affect ourselves and our surroundings. For example how can anger not only hurt but can also be helpful if channelled in the right way.
Bad Behaviour and Anti-Social Behaviour
A unique experience in which the participants of the course are taken through a series of exercises to enable them to understand their current behaviour, what they need to learn to change this behaviour and the positive results of making these changes. This course is designed to provide an immediate change in behaviour.
We also look at Anti-Social Behaviour and also Gang and Knife Crime in society for the older children and adults and the ramifications of such actions and how to avoid the situations and people that are involved in these kinds of crimes and actions.
Low Self Esteem & Confidence
A very effect set of exercises designed to explore the reasons for the students low self-esteem and confidence, the positive ways to overcome this personality trait and how to achieve great things in the future by applying a simple set of rules.
Improved Performance
We get to meet young people that have a specific talent at their chosen subject or sport. As a way of nurturing this talent, we have designed a child friendly mentoring course to provide these young people with the required skills to develop this talent to its fullest potential and to make them realise that the skills to become the best they can be at one subject can be applied to all activities.
We also explore emotions and how emotion can have an affect not only on ourselves but those around us and how do we handle that emotion so that it doesn't become destructive.
We also include at the end of the session a sit-down mat time where we read a a story about a different life skill or virtue, for example, a story about perseverance.
We are also, an inclusive Academy whereby we look holistically towards the students and we are a big advocate of stimming and other control methods and we also bring a sensory box to every club session for our tiger tots and tiger cubs classes.
We also work not only with the students but also we aim to work with the child's parents and the school also where there are certain criteria to be met if they want to train at the academy and if they are not meeting these criteria how can all 3 parties work towards the child attaining them and to keep them at that level.
The Curriculum Includes:
- Understanding the effects of anti-social behaviour
- The destructive qualities of our personalities
- Identifying the reasons for my actions - All talk and NO action
- Physical Team building - Ability to work within a team environment
- Positive qualities of your personality
- Life Skills training – Take away the excuses of feeling unsafe
- No excuse is big enough
- Goal Setting for the future
- Developing a positive Life plan
- Communication Skills
- Problem solving Skills
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Stockhill and Ladbroke Tenants and Resident (SALTAR) Autumn Acitivites
Saturdays on Stockhill Park
- Football Training 10.45am to 12noon, boys and girls, 5 to 15 years.
- Goalkeeping Training 12.15pm to 1.15pm, boys and girls, 6 to 16 years
Mondays at Scout HQ. Lincoln St. Basford,
- 44th Nottingham Beavers and Cubs 6.30pm to 8pm. Beavers 6 to 8 years, Cubs 8 to 10.5 years (Actively recruiting volunteers over 18 for these sessions.)
Wednesdays in Stockhill Pavilion
- Termtime Afterschool Sessions 3.30pm to 5.30 pm, 5 to 13 years
For more information, please contact Sur Sylvester, SALTAR Secretary, at saltar99@gmail.com.
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BMX champion brothers from Bilborough looking for sponsorship
I've recently been contacted by Ella Jamera, a constituent from Bilborough. Her two sons Elisha and Itai are champion BMX racers - both coming first for their age category at the recent British Championships. Next year, Elisha will be old enough to compete at the World Championships, but there is a lack of funding available to allow competitors to travel to compete at the event.
You can read more about the brothers here: https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/meet-champion-brothers-bilborough-making-3295971
If you know of any local funding or sponsorship opportunities that might help Elisha to travel to compete, please get in touch with Ella on ellajamera@yahoo.com
[Image: Joseph Raynor/Nottingham Post]
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Fundraising for PASIC
I've recently been contacted by an NCS group, based in Hucknall, who are currently raising money and awareness for a charity called PASIC. This is a charity which deal with young children who have been diagnosed with cancer. They are partaking in a bag pack and a sponsored cycle to raise awareness and money. It would be very much appreciated if you could either donate or help raise awareness for this useful charity.
You can find the fundraising page here. Please do support them if you can.
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Nottingham Mencap
I recently received the following email from John Ballard of Nottingham Mencap with some good news and a request. Please read and support them if you can, their volunteers do tremendous work supporting those with learning disabilities and autism to live as independently as possible:
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Dear Alex Norris MP,
I am thrilled to inform you that Nottingham Mencap has finally found a new home!
Working closely with Nottingham City Council, we are in the process of agreeing to a long lease on the Edwards Lane Community Centre. We desperately need to move from Harpenden House on Edwards Lane where we have been for nearly 70 Years. Based on City Hospital land, our current building is beyond repair and the Hospital is seeking a massive hike in ground rent.
We have been raising funds to purchase, renovate and extend the Community Centre. Working with Richardson Hall Construction Ltd we plan to design and deliver ample, high-quality space, for our Charity and local residents. By undertaking this venture we aim to secure the long term future of the new Centre as a vibrant hub for the local community and a place our members can proudly call their new base.
Our members are so pleased to have the chance to move such a short distance. Furthermore, we recognise that by sharing our building with local residents we can help catalyse tangible and enduring community integration.
You will appreciate that as a charity we understand the importance of making every penny count. Which means that we frugally balance our income from grants and allowances with our expenses, without detriment to the services we provide or cutbacks to staff. Our fundraising methods, as outlined on our website (www.nottinghammencap.org.uk see ‘Support Our Work’) your generosity will enable us to undertake the requisite works renovating our new premises and address the more pressing issues impacting our service users.
I do hope you will support us in our ongoing adventure!
Please do not hesitate to contact us (at info@n-mencap.org or by phoning 0115 920 9524) if you require any clarification on the points raised here or have any further queries.
Kind Regards,
John Ballard
Nottingham Mencap Fundraiser
www.nottinghammencap.org.uk
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Basford United U16 Amber Sponsorship Opportunities Available
Playing kit sponsor – squad of 15 logo on shirt ~£450
Drill Top sponsor – squad of 15 logo on shirt ~£450
An alternative is a food sponsor – we provide chip cobs to all travelling players after each home game – last season we entertained teams from Wellingborough, Coventry, Birmingham etc so any contribution towards this would be gratefully received
Basford are hoping that anyone who does sponsor the team will get a banner on the side of the pitch, as well as on their logo on the kit and hopefully on the Basford website this year.
For further information, please contact Lisa Fox on 07921361555.
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Joining Blind Veterans
Have you served in the Armed Forces? In the UK Regular Armed Forces, including National Service.
Or UK Reserved Armed Forces. Reservists must have completed one year’s satisfactory service following training (or qualified for Bounty) or a lesser period if blinded on duty.
Or Polish/Indian Forces under British Command or Merchant Navy deployed within a combat zone in direct support of UK military forces.
And
You have significant sight loss- visual acuities worse than 6/60 in both eyes or struggle to see top letter of the eye chart. Optician or eye clinic to confirm.
If you meet our criteria for sight loss you can get free support. Help in the form, of Rehabilitation, training, peer support, grants, Sports and recreation.
We also run local social groups in Nottingham.
Please contact 0800 389 7979 for an application form. We can complete the form by telephone too, you will need your service record details. If you want to discuss further ring Mary James, Community Team Leader on 0114 2127612
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New Wellbeing/Self-Help Group
An opportunity to meet new people, make new friends, and help you build up confidence and self-esteem.
Identify areas of your own wellbeing - physically & mentally.
Referral support to other services & support.
Friendly & comfortable environment, with no pressure to talk.
Hosted in the West Room, St Mary’s the Virgin & All Souls Church, Highbury Road, Bulwell, NG6 9AD.
For further info: fay.goodhand@icloud.com
Drop in Café
All welcome for a free cuppa and biscuit, and a place to sit and have a chat
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Parish Community Centre, Brooklyn Rd, Bulwell NG6 9ES
Thursdays, 9:30am–12:30pm
Messy Church
Drinks, crafts, activities, bible stories and a meal for all ages and interests
Bulwell United Reformed Church, Broomhill Road/Brooklyn Road, Bulwell
Usually first Saturday of every month, 10:30am-12:30pm
Bestwood Park Church’s Bestop Kitchen
Social Eating Event, Donations Welcome
Bestwood Park Church, Beckhampton Road, NG5 5NG
Every Tuesday, 12-2pm
Whiz Kids Junior Church
Free breakfast, arts & crafts for children aged 5ish – 11ish
St Mary the Virgin & All Souls Parish Church, Highbury Road, Bulwell
Every Sunday, 9:30am
Crafty Ladies
Bring along a project, or learn to do something new.
St Martins Church, St Martin’s Rd, Off Strelley Rd, Bilborough, NG8 3BH
Every Wednesday, 11am – 2pm
50p, for further info: www.stmartinsbilborough.org.uk, info@stmartinsbilborough.uk
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Messy Church
All welcome – food, fun, arts & crafts, & God slot
St Mary the Virgin & All Souls Parish Church, Highbury Road, Bulwell
2nd Sunday every month
Athlete Accelerator
Khian Mility is helping young athletes reach their potential, with the goal of obtaining US College Sports Scholarships. For further information please visit his website.
https://www.theathleteaccelerator.com
Whiz Kids
Special breakfast, followed by stories, games, crafts & fun!
St Mary the Virgin & All Souls Parish Church, Highbury Road, Bulwell
Sundays, 9.30-11.15am
For more info contact Kerry Palmer - 0115 953 1780 or by email.
Messy Church Bestwood/Bulwell Forest
Bestwood Park Church, Beckhampton Rd, Bestwood Park
Various Thursdays, 4:30-6pm
Church on Rise Park, Revelstoke Way, Rise Park
Various Thursdays, 5-6:30pm
Free Community Cinema
Free screenings of films, everyone welcome!
St John’s Church, Key’s Close, Bulwell
2nd Friday every month, 7pm
Crochet Clinic
Community Room at Tesco Bulwell, Jennison St, NG6 8EQ (upstairs near the cafe)
First Wednesday of every month, 6:30pm–8:30pm
£5 (covers refreshments and materials)
For further info: www.apriltowriess.co.uk, hello@apriltowriess.co.uk
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