Latest News –  Martin Whitfield MSP

Martin Whitfield MSP has joined Douglas Alexander MP on a visit to the Pennypit Outdoor Pursuits (POPS) Group near Tyninghame. A partnership between the Pennypit Trust, the Bridge Centre Motorcycle Project and Edinburgh College, POPS supports pupils from Preston Lodge High School to stay in school, help move them into a positive destination, such as further education or employment, and provides volunteering opportunities and work experience. The project also supports the young people to build and enhance their personal skills, such as confidence and resilience. Martin Whitfield MSP said:  "As a long standing supporter of the Pennypit Trust I was [...]

Martin Whitfield MSP has visited Cockenzie-based social enterprise, Heavy Sound, to discuss his proposed Youth Work Member’s Bill, which would ensure every council provides youth work services.  The Youth Work Scotland Bill seeks to establish a robust legal framework ensuring that every young person, regardless of their background or circumstances, has access to consistent and high-quality youth work opportunities. Mr Whitfield spoke to a group of young people who use Heavy Sound’s services about the Bill and the impact he hopes it could have on youth work services and the lives of the young people who benefit from them. Commenting, [...]

Spring is the most critical period for wildfires in Scotland and in recognition of this increased risk Scottish Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS) has launched its Wildfire Prevention Campaign to highlight the issue. The campaign is urging the public to be aware of wildfire risk this Spring as figures show almost 80% of large outdoor fires since 2010 were recorded between March and May. The campaign is promoting key prevention messages to help educate people on how to behave responsibly when outdoors and how to keep safe and minimise the risk of wildfires. With sensible precautions, the public can play [...]

Ahead of World Social Work Day on Tuesday 18th March, Martin Whitfield MSP and Douglas Alexander MP have welcomed the return of the Amazing Social Worker campaign and paid tribute to the work undertaken by social workers in East Lothian and across Scotland. The British Association of Social Workers (BASW UK) is celebrating the occasion by once again running its Amazing Social Workers (ASW) campaign. Each year, the campaign shines a spotlight on the incredible work happening across the UK social work profession and raises awareness of the importance of social work within and for our communities. BASW invites nominations [...]

Martin Whitfield MSP has visited Law Primary School to speak to pupils about his role and answer their questions as part of their work studying democracy and the Scottish Parliament. Mr Whitfield visited the school to speak to all of its P7 pupils about his work at Holyrood representing the South Scotland Region, which includes the East Lothian constituency, and how the Scottish Parliament functions and our laws are made. Following an introduction on his role as one of the MSP’s representing their area, Mr Whitfield answered the pupils’ questions about politics and how the Scottish Parliament operates, as [...]

Martin Whitfield MSP and Douglas Alexander MP have met with members of the Headway East Lothian charity and paid tribute to its work supporting people with Acquired Brain Injuries. Headway East Lothian celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, but Mr Alexander and Mr Whitfield were unable to join them for their celebration at the time. They agreed to meet with development officer Joyce Cattanach and members of the group to catch up on its recent progress. They met in Port Seton Centre, discussed the group’s background, the range of support it offers and some of its [...]