It’s been a busy two weeks as Parliament and constituency work gets into full flow in the new year.
Lifeline Community Action do fantastic work for our area and it’s been a pleasure to support their important appeal.
Many residents will know Lifeline’s shop in the town centre. The charity has got exciting plans to relocate to the larger former Woolworths building, which will enable them to offer more services to the community. This new hub will not only maintain their existing services but will also provide a community pantry, mental health support, benefit and debt advice, along with activities for young people.
Lifeline have done a brilliant job raising money – they’ve already secured £700,000 funding from central government and a significant donation from the landlord, but they still need help to get over the line with the final £100k. Any donations, big or small, would be really helpful.
They’re also looking for office furniture, commercial white goods and help with shop fitting. If you’re a local business that could support Lifeline with this really important project, please get in touch at alan.strickland.mp@parliament.uk and I’ll put you in touch.
This organisation is a fantastic asset to our community and their plans have the potential to improve our town centre, so please help if you can.
Residents can now schedule appointments for my first surgeries of 2025. I’m holding a surgery in Newton Aycliffe on Friday 31st January – if you’d like to arrange a meeting, please get in touch.
In Westminster, I had the opportunity to meet with the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA). Through the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, I’m seeing first-hand the incredible work the RAF does to ensure our safety and the support they provide to our allies in tackling global threats. RAFA offers invaluable assistance to serving RAF personnel, veterans and their families and I’m proud to support their important mission.
In Parliament I’ve been proud to be involved in an important proposed law that would see the biggest improvement in child protection in a generation, ensure free breakfast clubs in every primary school, cap school uniform costs and drive up school standards. It would also remove the ban introduced by the Conservative government on local authorities opening new schools, which has caused huge problems, particularly for children with special educational needs.
I’m also really pleased the government is giving County Durham £1.7 million funding to help improve children’s health. This money from the Start for Life programme will expand perinatal mental health support, provide additional classes for new families and more Family Hubs.
As your MP, supporting our young people is a top priority for me. Having grown up in Newton Aycliffe and gone to school here, I’m determined we’ll have the very best support, education and services for our kids. I’ll keep working hard with schools and local organisations to improve what’s available for our young people and make sure the new government keeps this as a priority.
Alan Strickland,
MP for Newton Aycliffe & Spennymoor.