General Election hustings looks to put mental health top of the agenda

Three mental health charities will host a General Election hustings event in Edinburgh for a lively discussion on mental health policies with the five main Scottish political parties.

Change Mental Health, Penumbra Mental Health and Health in Mind have all joined forces to organise the hustings event, taking place at the Augustine United Church in Edinburgh on Tuesday 18th June.

Despite mental health being devolved to the Scottish Parliament, all three charities are emphasising that political parties must prioritise and improve mental health.

Nick Ward, CEO of Change Mental Health, said: “We are in the middle of a mental health crisis. Mental health services aren’t getting the funding they need and people aren’t getting the support that they need, when they need it most.

“It’s time for politicians to tell us what they are going to do about this. We need the mental health of our communities to be at the top of the agenda for this election and we need to make sure that the voices of people affected by mental health are heard so that we can build a future where no one faces mental illness alone.”

Mike Burns, Chief Executive of Penumbra Mental Health, said: ““Each of the main political parties will have a chance to outline how they will challenge the inequalities which impact our mental health.

“People in the audience will rightly be looking to candidates for a commitment to creating a society that supports good mental health for everyone.”

Wendy Bates, Chief Executive of Health in Mind, said: ““Over recent years, our mental health has been affected by events locally, nationally, across the UK and globally.

“People accessing our services tell us that they continue to feel the impacts of the Covid pandemic, conflict across the world, the cost of living crisis and the climate crisis. With over one in four of us now dealing with mental health issues, and support services stretched increasingly thin, we need mental health to be at the top of the agenda for our next government.  

“Although health is a devolved matter in Scotland, decisions made in Westminster will have knock-on effects for us here.

“We are delighted to be hosting this hustings together with Change Mental Health and Penumbra Mental Health to open up this vital conversation ahead of next month’s election, hear more about candidates’ commitments, and create space for them to share how they plan to improve our nation’s mental health – which will impact us all both directly and indirectly.”

A recent survey from Change Mental Health’s sister charity, Rethink Mental Illness, found that 4 in 10 people say mental health will be important in shaping their decision on which party to vote for at the General Election on 4th July 2024.

The hustings event on mental health will be an opportunity for people to have their voice heard on improving and prioritising mental health and wellbeing across the country.

Representatives will be available from the SNP, Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and the Greens.

Council by-election hustings at Corstorphine Community Centre

Hustings event to be held at Corstorphine Community Centre on 20.02.23

Submit your questions via our online form.

Come along and find out what the future plans and priorities are

Don’t miss Professor John Curtice’s Scottish election talk on Tuesday

Make sure you don’t miss the next of our series of #ERSLive talks, which will be held this Tuesday 26 April, at 7pm via Zoom.

What can we expect from the Scottish Local Elections? with Professor Sir John Curtice

What can we expect from next month’s Scottish local elections?

Which parties will be on the up and which losing out? Join us for an evening of insight and analysis with elections expert Professor Sir John Curtice for an in depth look at Scotland’s local democracy.

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As well as a look at what we can expect from the upcoming polls, Prof Curtice will launch his upcoming ERS report – The Power of Preferences: STV in Scottish Elections – taking an in-depth look at the results from 2017 and how voters make use of the Single Transferable Vote system.

Register your attendance today to make sure you don’t miss out on this exciting event!

Best wishes,

Darren Hughes,

Chief Executive, Electoral Reform Society

Third sector hustings: Preventing Poverty for the People of Edinburgh

Be part of a conversation with some of the candidates standing for election in Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s Third Sector Interface (EVOC, Volunteer Edinburgh, Edinburgh Social Enterprise) and the Poverty Alliance invite you to be part of an conversation with some of the candidates standing for election on Thu 5 May.

The main focus of this event is the challenges arising from cost-of-living increases that are impacting people and communities across the City linked to:

  • the importance of a thriving voluntary sector
  • the benefits of an enterprising City
  • the need for wealth building within communities

Welcome & Introduction: Bridie Ashrowan, Claire Pattullo, Paul Wilson.

Panel Q&A:

  • Claire Miller, Edinburgh Greens candidate for City Centre
  • Vicky Nicolson, SNP candidate for Inverleith
  • Ross McKenzie, Labour candidate for Sighthill / Gorgie
  • Neil Ross, Liberal Democrats candidate for Morningside
  • Representatives from each of the political parties have been invited.

SUBMIT A QUESTION

Please submit any questions you have in advance, or if you are unable to attend the event to: comms@evoc.org.uk

ZOOM LINK:

The link will be sent out to everyone who has registered by 1pm on the day.

Register here: https://bit.ly/3Mha0R6

Disabled people make their voices heard as election approaches

With the Holyrood Elections next week, 80 disabled people, families and carers came together to grill representatives of the major political parties at an online hustings event on Thursday, April 22nd. 

As many as one in five people in Scotland are disabled or have a long-term health condition meaning they are a sizeable portion of the electorate. Despite this, very little time has been given to debating the issues that directly affect disabled people and families as campaigning has gone on. 

Last week’s event was organised by a consortium of nine major charities who are trying to rebalance the debate so the voices of disabled people and families are heard and their views considered. 

At the hustings disabled people questioned candidates from the five main Scottish political parties on a wide range of issues including social care, the impact of the pandemic, social security, employment as well as rights and access.

The panel was chaired by award-winning freelance journalist and broadcaster Pennie Taylor, who specialises in health and social care issues and covered by STV on Wednesday. 

Rob Holland, External Affairs Manager for the National Autistic Society Scotland and one of the organisers of the hustings said: “Around one million people in Scotland have a disability or long-term health condition yet their views are often excluded from the national debate. 

“Given the uncertainty about the post-COVID landscape it is more important than ever for political parties to hear from disabled people and families, understand the challenges they face and do something about it.” 

The hustings event was organised by ENABLE Scotland, Health and Social Care Scotland (the ALLIANCE), Leonard Cheshire Disability, MS Society Scotland, National Autistic Society Scotland, RNIB Scotland, Scottish Autism, Sense Scotland and Sight Scotland.

QUOTES from disabled people that attended the Hustings:

David Weir, is 30, autistic and from Glasgow. He said: I always vote and encourage other autistic people to vote.

“I feel that many politicians don’t listen – so the more disabled people speaking up the more they will understand the challenges we face and hopefully do something about it.” 

Cat Johnson, 34 from Edinburgh, was diagnosed with MS at the age of 21 in 2007. She said: “As someone with MS who has acquired disability rather than being born with one, you see both sides and remember how things were before.

“The way that we view and treat disabled people in society is so far off what is OK and that’s frustrating. 

“It’s good to see politicians and their parties engaging at this stage but we need a longer term push for real change to provide better support for disabled people. 

“Things like the new Scottish social security system holding on to the 20-metre-rule, which sets a baseless measure for the highest level of mobility support, need to change if we want to build a better, fairer society.” 

Kirin Saeed, 52, from Edinburgh is blind. She said: “I as a visually impaired Asian woman believe events like these offer me and others to question the main decision makers, politicians, as well as to create greater awareness in the hope greater change may happen, although we have come a long way there is so much still yet to do.

“COVID19 has shown the importance in investing in the vulnerable   of society to benefit all.  

“I am a pragmatic optimist and feel the only way we will have greater say is to be at the heart of the legislative process.  And having the chance to question and getting a small response is a positive start. It is what happens afterwards that I really look forward towards.” 

Representing the main political parties at the event were Jeremy Balfour (Scottish Conservatives), Pam Duncan-Glancy  (Scottish Labour), Neil Gray (SNP), Gillian Mackay (Scottish Green Party) and John Waddell (Scottish Liberal Democrats). 

TONIGHT: Poverty Alliance to hold Holyrood Hustings

TONIGHT: Our #AScotlandForAllOfUs Scottish Parliament election hustings takes place tonight at 5.30pm.

Join us to hear from

@S_A_Somerville

@Rachael2Win

@AnasSarwar

@AlisonJohnstone and

@willie_rennie.

If you haven’t registered, you can do here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GawUyOwoRDa4tsWxRNFVcw

Hustings to focus on Euro Brexit

Monday 5th June, 6pm

Royal Overseas League, Princes Street

Brexit is the most monumental change that British society has experienced in decades. The outcome of the June 8 general election will be key in determining who will represent Britain in the exit negotiations, and with what positions. Continue reading Hustings to focus on Euro Brexit