Leading the Debate calling on the Welsh Government to introduce an Autism (Wales) Bill, I stated that autistic people are often unable to access effective support unless they have associated mental health problems or learning difficulties, and the Welsh Government’s refreshed autism strategy will not be robust enough unless backed by legislation. Labour’s decision to vote this down has caused great distress.
October 10th was Fragile X Awareness Day and I called for a Welsh Government Statement on one of the most common inherited causes of learning difficulties.
Speaking in the debate on ‘Tackling Hate Crime’ during National Hate Crime Week, I stated we must raise awareness of what Hate Crime is, encourage reporting and promote local support.
Responding to the Statement on Resilient Communities, in which the Communities Secretary, Carl Sargeant AM, stated he was “minded to phase out the Communities First programme”, I called on the Welsh Government to radically rethink the way in which it tackles poverty and supports communities, referring to programmes already working on the ground which the Welsh Government should embed in all policy and service delivery in Wales, enabling local communities to take the lead.
I quoted Oxfam Cymru’s Sustainable Livelihoods Approach, helping people identify the strengths and assets they already have in order to tackle to root problems preventing them from reaching their potential, and called on him to fully embrace the true definition of co-production, enabling citizens and professionals to work together in equal partnership, acknowledging that everyone is an expert in their own lives.
I also told him that “housing regeneration isn’t just about bricks and mortar; it’s about people and communities” and said Councils that have retained their council housing stock must learn from the good work of non-profit transfer housing associations, like Cartrefi Conwy, where wider community regeneration is helping people to tackle the things holding them back.
Assembly engagements included National Autistic Society Board, presenting an award at BASW Cymru Annual Social Work Awards, BMA Wales, calling on the Welsh Government to address the worsening challenges facing GPs, RSPCA Cymru Awards, Community Pharmacy Wales, 30th birthday celebrations for NSPCC’s Childine and SNAP Cymru, and Oxfam Cymru.
North Wales engagements included Autism Wishes/National Autistic Society Wrexham and the Mayor of Towyn and Kinmel Bay’s Civic Sunday.
If you need my help, please email mark.isherwood@assembly.wales or ring 0300 200 7217.