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Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop has been working with local supermarkets to introduce trollies appropriate for disabled children. These trollies are designed for older children with a disability and have a large basket, making them a suitable size for a regular shop. They also have a harness seat to keep the child safe while shopping and a fifth wheel to provide extra support and allow for easy mobility. Fiona started this work as a result of correspondence she received from local mum, Stacy Dunsmore, who shared the difficulties she faced in supermarkets in the area who did not provide suitable trollies for her disabled son. Fiona said: “After hearing of the difficulties my constituent was having in finding supermarkets with suitable trollies for her son I was…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency met with the McIndoe family at the family run Mill Garden Centre in Armadale on 27th July. The Mill Garden Centre in Armadale is a highly successful independent, family-owned business who grow a wide range of trees, shrubs and plants in their adjacent nursery. The McIndoe family have been operating a nursery on the site since 1900, beginning with a soft fruit farm and growing some vegetables. The present owners, Joe and Peggy McIndoe, have diversified the business into growing a range of high-quality plants and the Garden Centre is now run by their children Colin and Kathleen. Commenting after the visit Fiona said: “I was pleased to meet with the McIndoe family who own and operate the Mill Garden Centre which you can…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency Fiona Hyslop, met with Declan Harrigan, CEO of S.M.I.L.E Counselling & Training at her Whitburn Office on 28th July. S.M.I.L.E Counselling provides training for both professionals and members of the community, and supports 11-24-year olds across West Lothian by providing a range of services including: face-to-face counselling services, one-to-one phone calls, email and online chat services. Over the last seven years S.M.I.L.E have supported 1,000 young people in West Lothian with 7,000 one-to-one counselling sessions offered. Commenting after the meeting Fiona said: “I was pleased to meet Declan and personally extend my congratulations to him, and the team at S.M.I.L.E, on their recent Charity of the Year Award which they won at the Scottish Charity of the Year Awards. “I was also proud to…

Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, visited the Brock Garden, Wood and Craft Centre at the Strathbrock Partnership Centre in Broxburn in Fiona’s Linlithgow Constituency this week.The Brock, located at the back of the Strathbrock Partnership Centre, is an independent charity and social enterprise that supports people in West Lothian with chronic mental illnesses. Fiona met with Chair of the Brock’s Board, John McLean, and service users at the Centre, and learned more about the invaluable work they do. Service users can participate in therapeutic horticulture, woodwork, and craft activities such as textile, clay and paper crafts, and spend time with others who have similar interests, encouraging social inclusion. The Brock also organise outings and develop community projects – a recent project involved upgrading the borders at the front of…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has voted in favour of the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill at Stage 3 when it was debated in the Scottish Parliament on June 29th. The new legislation will introduce mandatory safety training for people who wish to purchase and use fireworks. It also introduces powers for local authorities to introduce designated firework control zones, restrictions of the supply and use of fireworks and a new offence to criminalise the supply of fireworks to under-18s. Fiona has previously met with local Constituency group, Blackburn Bonfire Night Action Group (BBNAG) who provided evidence to the Criminal Justice Committee in relation to their innovative approach to tackling the misuse of fireworks when the committee visited Blackburn earlier in the year. Commenting Fiona said;…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has voted in favour of the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill at Stage 3 when it was debated in the Scottish Parliament on June 29th. The new legislation will introduce mandatory safety training for people who wish to purchase and use fireworks. It also introduces powers for local authorities to introduce designated firework control zones, restrictions of the supply and use of fireworks and a new offence to criminalise the supply of fireworks to under-18s. Fiona has previously met with local Constituency group, Blackburn Bonfire Night Action Group (BBNAG) who provided evidence to the Criminal Justice Committee in relation to their innovative approach to tackling the misuse of fireworks when the committee visited Blackburn earlier in the year. Commenting Fiona said;…

During the Scottish Government Debate titled Northern Ireland Protocol Bill which was held in the Chamber of the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 29th June, Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, warned of the dangers of the UK Government's Northern Ireland Protocol Bill. Commenting after the debate Fiona said; “The implications of this Bill are very real and show that the UK Government are willing to risk a trade war with the EU. I was very pleased that there was an all-Party agreement in the Scottish Parliament to the Government motion being debated calling on the UK and EU to negotiate together to resolve issues. This is also the preference of 74% of people in Northern Ireland where businesses also want to keep it as it is supporting Northern…

Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, has praised the invaluable role of volunteers across West Lothian following Volunteer’s Week earlier this month.  The British Heart Foundation who have a Book Bank in Linlithgow which contributes to the charity’s efforts help raise vital funds for the charity’s lifesaving research into heart and circulatory diseases.  Fiona commented,   “I am delighted to celebrate the dedicated staff and volunteers at British Heart Foundation who operate in shops across my constituency, including the Book Bank here in Linlithgow.  “I know many of my constituents, some of whom I have met personally, have seen and felt first-hand the terrible effects of heart disease. Shops like the Linlithgow book bank support the British Heart Foundation in funding around £60 million worth of research projects in Scottish universities.” …

“I was pleased to see that Kevin Stewart MSP, Minister for the Mental Wellbeing and Social Care, visited the West Lothian 50+ Network in my Constituency. “The West Lothian 50+ Network is an important organisation which facilitates a range of activities and groups to over 50’s across West Lothian to encourage staying active both physically and mentally while also providing opportunities to meet new people and combat loneliness and social isolation. “The Minister visited the 50+ Network to hear about how the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund is benefitting communities across my Constituency. “Mr Stewart also attended a Men’s Group which has been supported by the Fund and promotes good mental wellbeing amongst the men of West Lothian. “The Fund has benefitted the West Lothian 50+ Network and the…