Charities and voluntary groups do hugely important work supporting people and communities across the constituency. They have been a wonderful support to so many constituents during the pandemic we face. I understand the impact the Coronavirus pandemic is having on charities and voluntary groups, accordingly, many fundraising activities have had to be cancelled or postponed. I will continue to support them.
I work closely with organisations which provide support and care for older people across the constituency to ensure their issues and challenges are tackled. This involves regular meetings with NHS trusts, Clinical Commissioning Groups, GPs, Care Homes and our Local Councils to discuss adult social care.
I have consistently raised the issue of care home visits in the House and I am pleased that care home residents are now allowed a regular indoor visitor as part of the government’s plan to ease lockdown in England.
The Dean of Ripon Cathedral, Dean John, has put together development plans for a 21st century Yorkshire cathedral. The re-submitted plans aim to upgrade and enhance the cathedral and also benefit the wider community.
In September 2020, I visited Ripon Cathedral. During lockdown the ‘A Wing and A Prayer’ artwork was installed in the Cathedral. This consisted of over 10,000 origami angels made by volunteers. Each angel represented a thank you to our key workers or a prayer for a loved one. Over £130,000 was raised from the project and will go towards supporting the work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Ripon Cathedral.
Following a visit to Ripon Cathedral, where I had the opportunity to view extensive plans, I supported the Cathedral’s application to the Northern Cultural Regeneration Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund.
