On Sunday, I was pleased to visit Christ Church here in Old Town for the rededication of the Remembrance Garden.
After a thorough and loving restoration and improvement by volunteers, the Mayor and I had the honour of unveiling the new Jubilee Memorial Garden plaque at a service led by Rev Simon Stevenette, Vicar of Swindon, and attended by the Friends of Christchurch, volunteers, and relatives of loved ones interred there. This is all part of the inspiring restoration of Christ Church, the Beacon on the Hill, and an 1851 masterpiece here in Swindon, much loved by Betjeman and generations of Swindon residents.
I would like to thank all of the volunteers involved in the restoration work. If you would like to keep up to date with all of the news from Christ Church, and learn more about the restoration, or become a Friend of Christ Church, please visit https://www.christchurchswindon.co.uk/blog/
Standing up for the rights of people with autism and other special education needs here in Swindon and beyond, has always been a key priority of mine and something that I have campaigned long and hard on during my time as an MP, so I am pleased that the government has set out detailed plans to improve provision with the publication of the SEND & Alternative Provision Green Paper.
The reforms to the SEND system introduced in 2014, had the right aspirations and it is clear that the system is driven by a hard-working and dedicated workforce, including here in the town. However, despite examples of good practice, too often the experiences and outcomes of children and young people have not been good enough. Parents, including those who have contacted me here in Swindon, have been frustrated by having to navigate an increasingly complex system and have encountered delays in accessing support.
I am glad that the government has proposed to establish a new national SEND and alternative provision system, setting nationally consistent standards for how needs are identified and met at every stage of a child’s journey across education, health, and care.
As part of these proposals, the government has pledged to support parents and carers to express an informed preference for a suitable placement, by providing a tailored list of settings, including mainstream, specialist, and independent.
I am glad that the government also proposes to introduce a standardised and digitised EHCP process to minimise bureaucracy and deliver consistency.
To achieve these ambitions, the government is working with children and young people, parents and carers, those who advocate and work within the SEND sector, and local and national system leaders. It is vital that those people on the front line have a voice and are listened to and consulted if we are to improve the system.
In addition, I am pleased that the government has pledged to increase the total investment in the schools’ budget with an additional £1 billion in 2022 to 2023, to support children and young people with the most complex needs.
Finally, as we approach the Easter break, I would like to invite families here in the town to enjoy the new Spring Safari Trail in Swindon Town Centre.
Launched by InSwindon Bid, The four-week Spring Safari Trail has been supported by the Government’s Welcome Back Fund through Swindon Borough Council.
The trail will take place from Monday 28th March to Sunday 24th April 2022.
The Safari Trail features ten animal characters, as well as several activities to take part in throughout the period.
Along with exploring the town centre in search of the amazing animals, grabbing a selfie, and collecting fascinating facts, the younger explorers can take part in various Arts and Crafts experiences, from Safari-based sand activities to designing animal-themed magnets.
Spring Safari booklets can also be downloaded from the inSwindon BID website www.swindontowncentre.co.uk
