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Alex Norris MP's Weekly Newsletter

Member of Parliament for Nottingham North
2nd August 2019
Issue #107

Welcome to the latest issue of my weekly newsletter.

Following a rainy but amazing time at Nottingham Pride this weekend, this week was the first of a 5-week summer recess of Parliament, before we return in September. While that does mean a bit of a break for most of us, it’s far from a holiday and allows us to dedicate more time than we can usually to our constituencies. In most cases, we only get one weekday a week at home, so having a few full weeks is a godsend, allowing us to attend events we can’t usually, take more, longer meetings, catch up and get more involved with casework, and simply spend more time talking to constituents.

This week’s newsletter will set out how I’ll be doing all of that this Summer.

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.

Summer Survey

As we head into the summer Parliamentary recess, I'm looking forward to spending much more time in the constituency.

While I’m there, one thing I will be doing, is asking you to have your say.

Like I did last year, I'm therefore running a survey so that I can hear your views about some of the work I've been doing in Parliament and across the constituency as your local MP. I'd also like to hear about your political priorities for the year ahead to help inform my work in the coming weeks and months. 

Please complete the survey by visiting the link below.

www.NottmNorthSurvey.com

I look forward to reading what you have to say. Thank you!

Getting Around the Constituency

Being in London from Monday to Thursday most weeks has a big impact on my schedule. It means that any regular goings-on that take place on other nights of the week are tough to get to, I generally have to invite people to my office to save on travelling time between anything I’m doing, and everything I do is rushed to fit in as much as possible. 
 
Recess allows me to escape those restrictions, and as a result I’m going to be all over the place this summer, enjoying myself while I meet lots of different groups across the whole of Nottingham North (and wider in some cases) and attend events I can’t any other time of year. I’ll fill you in as they happen, but here’s a selection of things I have planned: 
 

  • I will be spending a morning at Bulwell JobCentre with Advice Nottingham’s Help to Claim team, so together we can be more efficient in helping people with their Universal Credit and other benefit claims. 
  • I’ll be at Bulwell Riverside to watch one of the Helping Kids Achieve Basketball sessions that takes place there and helps our local kids stay active. This is on a Tuesday so I wouldn’t normally be able to go at all. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to join in! 
  • Also usually restricted due to being on a Tuesday would be my planned visit to the Army Reserve Centre at Hucknall Lane to meet with the 4 Mercian Reserve Unit, which is part of the larger Mercian Regiment. I’m certainly less keen to join in there, but I’m very much looking forward to seeing our excellent Reservists in training. 
  • One other event I’m looking forward to is the Bulwell Playday event where the Toy Library, who work closely with Rebalancing, are launching a new Arts Council project at Bulwell Hall Park.  

 
This is just a taster, and I have plenty more lined up and more yet to organise, so I’ll fill you in on these and the rest as they happen.

Local Meetings

As well as getting about the constituency to see things in action, I have plenty of meetings lined up for the next few weeks. Again, I’ll fill you in as they happen, but here’s a preview of just some of what’s in store: 

  • I’ll be heading to Newark to meet with Dr James Smith, CEO of the Aegis Trust, at the National Holocaust Centre to discuss both the centre and the crisis in Cameroon that I’ve already been working on alongside some Cameroonian members of our community. 
  • I’ll be taking a few meetings with David Mellen, the new Leader of Nottingham City Council, to continue some of the joined-up working that allows for great progress in our City. 
  • I’ll be meeting with Tony Rooney of Positive Money Nottingham. I recently attended one of their group meetings, but I’m looking forward to chatting with Tony about how I can use my role to support their work. 
  • And I'll be meeting with Natalie Dunn from our local NHS to discuss Personalised Care, with a particular look at Social Prescribing, which is something that Rebalancing is working to support locally.

Looking Ahead to Next Week

With a summer preview this week, next week will be a longer term preview, as I take a look into the Summer Survey in more detail, and discuss how I will be looking to implement some of the aspects of it, based on your responses, once Parliament returns in September.

Please do spare the time to fill in the survey, found here, if you can!

What's On

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

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.
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:

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  

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.
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
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

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

 
How to contact me

If you would like to contact me, please email alex.norris.mp@parliament.uk or give my Nottingham North constituency office a ring on 0115 975 2377.

If you are a constituent from Nottingham North e-mailing me regarding a casework issue you are my priority, so please ensure your message includes:
  • your full name
  • your full postal address, including postcode
  • a contact telephone number and
  • any helpful details relevant to your case such as date of birth, reference numbers etc.
Strict parliamentary protocol means I can only deal with issues on behalf of my own constituents. If you aren’t sure whether you live in Nottingham North, you can check who your local MP is by entering your postcode online here: findyourmp.parliament.uk.

You may also wish to write to me with your concerns. If so please send your correspondence to Alex Norris MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A OAA. All constituents who take the time and trouble to write a personal letter will receive a reply as a matter of priority.
 
Other useful links
LABOUR PARTY
  • If you’d like to learn more about the Labour party their website is here.
  • To join the Labour Party click here.
LOCAL NEWS
LOCAL INFORMATION
  • Benefits Information: Here’s an excellent site that allows you to find out exactly what benefits you are eligible to claim: EntitledTo
  • Housing: please contact your City Council
  • Problems with benefits or the Child Support Agency? The Citizens Advice Bureau and the Nottingham Welfare Rights Service can give advice. Remember to have your National Insurance number handy if you make an inquiry.
  • Local schools / education matters: please contact your City Council.
  • Employment rights: see Citizens Advice Bureau or the Trades Union Congress for info.
  • Social services, environmental health, noise nuisance, parking, and Council Tax should all be addressed to the City Council.
  • Another useful website on public services is Direct.gov.
NATIONAL LINKS
  • For the main Parliamentary website click here and to explore the Parliamentary education site click here.
Copyright © 2019 Alex Norris MP, All rights reserved.


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