Welcome to this week's newsletter.
This week in Parliament, I had a chat with the UK Men’s Sheds Association (UKMSA) CEO Charlie and Gayle from the Royal British Legion. UKMSA facilitates discussions on various issues affecting men, such as loneliness and retirement. Through Men’s Sheds, individuals come together to engage in communal projects, fostering wellbeing and combating social isolation. RBL have been partnering with them as veterans are a key group that visit the sheds.
On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of hosting two more students from Malbank School for a visit to Parliament. This follows Will and Euan who visited us last week (sorry chaps for getting the names mixed up!). I'm always keen to engage with young people, as I think it is vital that they know that politics is open to everyone, regardless of background.
Margaret, a resident of Crewe, recently celebrated her 103rd birthday. It was great to meet with her last week to congratulate her personally, and I'm glad Cypress Court Care Home organised festivities to mark this remarkable milestone.
March 21st marked World Down Syndrome Day, advocating for the rights and inclusion of individuals with Down’s syndrome. This year's theme, #EndTheStereotypes, highlights the importance of combatting discrimination and ensuring equal opportunities for all.
Congratulations to Pear Tree Primary on their 21st Anniversary! It was great to join in their celebrations, engaging with pupils and discussing my role as an MP. Here's to many more years of success!
The announcement of the Football Governance Bill this week is a positive step towards ensuring the financial sustainability of football clubs and protecting the interests of fans. I'm grateful for the advice shared by Charles Grant, Chairman of Crewe Alexandra FC, which helped my campaigning to try and shape this Bill.
I recently met with representatives from Marie Curie UK to support their Great Daffodil Appeal, which provides vital end-of-life care. Your contributions can make a significant difference in supporting individuals and families during challenging times.
This week, I also met with Levelling-Up Minister Jacob Young to discuss funding for the Mirion Street Centre, aiming to revitalise the site and support initiatives benefiting our community. After it has sat derelict for 9 years following a devastating fire, the Mirion Street Project is already being supported by £732,000 of the £22.9 million Crewe Town Deal and more than £750,000 in Youth Investment Funding. However, more funding will help support the South Cheshire Amateur Boxing Club, who's home will be at the new development, carry out their fantastic work.
Finally, do you have any concerns or issues I can assist you with? My next surgery will be held on Wednesday 3rd April in Crewe. Please don't hesitate to contact my office to schedule an appointment.
Have a great weekend.
UK Men's Shed
Malbank Students Visit Parliament
Happy 103rd Birthday Margaret!
World Down Syndrome Day
Pear Tree Primary's 21st Anniversary
Football Governance Bill
Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal
Meeting With Levelling Up Minister
Surgery
Traffic Report
UK Men's Shed
In Parliament this week we were visited by the UK Men’s Sheds Association (UKMSA). I had the great opportunity to sit down with and speak to CEO Charlie and Gayle from the Royal British Legion that are partnering with them.
UKMSA aim to get men talking about issues which may affect them, such as loneliness, retirement or bereavement. Men’s Sheds encourages people to come together as a community to make, repair and take up joint projects to improve wellbeing, reduce loneliness and fight back against social isolation.
There are more than 1,100 Men’s Sheds across the UK, with 76% of people felt less anxious and 89% reported a decrease in depression after joining a Men’s Shed.
We are lucky in Crewe and Nantwich to have the Crewe Shedders, a group I have previously met with, who you can find here. It’s a place both men and women can go to make new friends and talk about the issues which are troubling them.
Stigma still remains around discussing feelings of loneliness and UKMSA are going a long way to ensure that we can start to change our viewpoint and come together to reduce social loneliness through community projects.
Malbank Students Visit Parliament
This week we had Christopher and Harry from Malbank School visiting Parliament, having taken up my offer for tickets to PMQs. We had a Q&A afterwards and they also had a tour of Parliament.
Last week we had Will and Euan, also from Malbank, do the same. Apologies to them all for the mix up with names in last weeks newsletter!
I am always keen to encourage young people to engage with politics and realise that it is for everyone and everybody - no matter your background.
I hope you all enjoyed the experience!
Happy 103rd Birthday Margaret!
Tuesday was Crewe resident Margaret's 103rd birthday!
I met her last week to offer my congratulations in person with a Parliamentary birthday letter and chocolates. I know that the team from Cypress Court Care Home put on some celebrations to try and make her day very special with her family.
I hope you had a fantastic day!
World Down Syndrome Day
March 21st marked World Down Syndrome Day, where we raise awareness and create a single global voice advocating for the rights, inclusion, and well-being of people with Down’s syndrome.
This year's theme is #EndTheStereotypes, which aims to stop people with Down Syndrome from being treated differently, being excluded, underestimated or even abused.
There are currently estimated to be around 47,000 people living in the UK with Down’s syndrome.
Unfortunately across the world people with Down Syndrome still find they are denied a quality education, good healthcare, and the chance to work and earn money, limiting their ability to make decisions about their own lives.
That is why World Down Syndrome Day is so critical, being observed by the United Nations since 2012, as it provides an official platform to raise awareness of the injustices people with Down Syndrome can face on a daily basis.
You can find out more information at Home - World Down Syndrome Day
Pear Tree Primary's 21st Anniversary
Last week, I was invited along to Pear Tree Primary for their 21st Anniversary celebrations. It was great to hear the stories of the challenging start the school had and how the difficulties were overcome by the innovative and resourceful headteacher. They marked the occasion with a 'Proms in the Playground'. It is always so positive to see pupils singing together. I think it does wonders for their wellbeing! Their fantastic music teacher got us all singing!
I also had the opportunity to sit down and chat with some of the pupils that are school leaders - answering any questions they had about what it is like to be an MP and politics generally.
Well done to everyone for putting on such a fantastic celebration and to Pear Tree for 21 amazing years.
Football Governance Bill
I am pleased to see the announcement of the Football Governance Bill, which aims to support football teams’ financial sustainability, and protect fans from the impact of careless owners. I met with the Minister for Sport and the English Football League to lobby in support of the Bill.
Chairman of Crewe Alexandria FC Charles Grant has described it as “a much-anticipated piece of legislation helping football teams secure the long-term financial sustainability of England’s football pyramid”.
I’d like to thank Charles for all his advice on how we get this Bill to work for clubs like Crewe. I think it is fantastic to see a Bill that will see our local football teams more in the hands of their supporters and local communities.
Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal
This week, I met with the team from Marie Curie UK, alongside their supporter and Football legend Chris Kamara, who were promoting the charity's great daffodil fundraising appeal.
The charity is doing fantastic work providing end-of-life support and care for those going through the toughest circumstances imaginable.
To learn more about the appeal and to find out how you can donate or volunteer your time to help them fundraise, click on the link below.
https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil
Meeting With Levelling Up Minister
This week I met with Levelling-Up Minister Jacob Young to push for Mirion Street Centre’s bid for funding from the Community Ownership Fund.
After it has sat derelict for 9 years following a devastating fire, the Mirion Street Project is already being supported by £732,000 of the £22.9 million Crewe Town Deal and more than £750,000 in Youth Investment Funding.
However, more funding will help South Cheshire Amateur Boxing Club in their work of supporting young people in the community at a new facility on the site. The proposed Community Ownership Fund Application represents a significant opportunity and I hope we can see a favourable outcome.
Surgery
Do you have an issue that I could help you with? I shall be holding my next surgery in Crewe on Wednesday 3rd April between 4:30pm and 6:00pm. If you would like an appointment, please give my office a ring on 01270583432 or email kieran.mullan.mp@parliament.uk.
Travel and Traffic Report
If you are planning on travelling next week for the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend keep your eye on the National Rail website HERE as there are no trains into or out of London Euston from Friday to Monday.
There are also extensive railway works taking place throughout the West Coast Mainline, so ensure to check before you travel.
The following are road closures for the week ahead as reported by Cheshire East Council.
Moss Lane - Until 2nd June
Elm Drive - Until 17th May
Mill Farm Drive - Until 31st December
Mill Lane - Until 15th July
Vernon Way and Earle Street - 23rd until 24th March