July News - Constituency

The benefit of being the MP for Edinburgh's seaside is that when the sun came out, I got to take the team (or at least those who work on a Friday) for a wee post work treat. Nothing better than finishing the week with an in ice-cream on the beach!

It was great to attend the opening celebration for The Edinburgh Tool Library which is now resident on the ground floor of Tribe Porty on Windsor Place. I had my eyes well and truly opened. This isn't just for craft enthusiasts wanting to share woodworking tools. In fact, the tool library has a wide range of kit available to assist even the most enthusiastic DIYer including power tools and other equipment. There are also fully equipped workshops with bench power tools where members can come in and do their own work/repairs. Lovely to meet Janet, one of the full time workers based at the centre. At only £20 a year to join - I didn't need much convincing.

I visited South Edinburgh Amenities Group (SEAG) to discuss the potential local impact of the UK government's proposed changes to rules for provision of community transport. Community transport is often used by charities supporting older people or people with disabilities to help their service users get to them. While I was there I was able to get the views of organisations from across Edinburgh East - North Edinburgh Dementia Care, Prestonfield Neighbourhood Project and Caring in Craigmillar - who rely on the service SEAG provides and who would potentially lose out from any change to the rules.

I had a lovely time at the launch of Imaginate Artists and Multi-Cultural Family Base My City project at the Storytelling Centre earlier in the month. Over a series of workshops artists and refugee families used visual arts, puppetry and drama to explore stories and traditions from the cities and towns they've lived in - and they came up with the city of Edippo! Find out more here.