 Happy International Women's Day!
This year I’ve been celebrating with local trailblazers. From entrepreneurs to editors, councillors to charity CEOs, Tooting has so many inspirational women. There were such inspiring discussions from our wonderful speakers and audience. It was great to hear so many women talking about their journeys to success. I'm proud to work alongside each and every one of you.
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 It’s very easy to be reminded of why I love Tooting, and today was the perfect example of this.
‘Visit my Mosque Day’ at Balham Mosque was a fantastic community event. It was great to spend time here, sharing knowledge with open hearts and great food. I’m already looking forward to the next one!  Today I was incredibly excited be bringing Google’s Digital Garage to The Trident Business Centre.
The tech professionals offered workshops for local people on ‘Social Media Strategy’, ‘creating a digital marketing plan’, and ‘making presentations for work’. So many young people and local business owners benefited from this free training: gaining invaluable digital skills to help with studies, finding employment, and expanding existing businesses.  It was fantastic to be part of the International Women’s Day Panel at Ernest Bevin College this morning. The students were actively engaged with the discussions, asked insightful questions, and were clearly determined to be part of the change to create a more equal world. I look forward to returning to continue the conversation soon!
 I spoke to The Guardian about the rising numbers of homeless people who are being admitted to hospitals with largely preventable illnesses.
Thousands of homeless people in England are arriving at hospital with Victorian-era illnesses such as tuberculosis, as well as with serious respiratory conditions, liver disease and cancer, with hospital admissions for such conditions surging over the last decade. It has been a tragedy to witness the rise in emergency department attendance and hospital admissions for the homeless. This winter, waiting rooms have been brimming with people desperate for treatment for chest infections. Furthermore, whereas previously drug and alcohol support was more readily available, long referral times and no access to a fixed address has meant many are lost in the system and unable to receive help when they reach crisis point. Read the full article here: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/feb/20/nhs-england-figures-show-soaring-homeless-patient-numbers?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other  I took Joe.co.uk to Balham Boxing Club to speak about the values which drive me forward and the experiences which made me the person I am today.
Growing up in a single parent household wasn't easy, with my mum working three jobs just to put food on the table. She always instilled that sense of possibility in us - something my brother and I carry with us today. Labour reformed the system of bursaries and grants - meaning people from poorer backgrounds, like me, were able to study medicine. I believe opportunity should be based on where you’re going, not where you’re from. See the video here: https://twitter.com/DrRosena/status/1097191743949324288  Since I was first elected in June 2016, I have been dedicated to providing opportunities to vulnerable young people across Tooting. Along with South Thames College, Tooting, I launched the 'Take One' scheme to encourage local businesses to take on apprentices from Tooting to ensure that our young people have the chance to develop new skills.
With this in mind, it was fantastic to organise and take part in a breakfast meeting at South Thames College, attended by some brilliant local organisations who all shared the same goal: improving opportunities available for young people in Tooting. We discussed ways in which their work can be promoted and supported by South Thames College and the wider community. I was so pleased to see all the connections that were being made on the day. Through our network, we can set up initiatives and support each other’s projects to better meet the needs of our most vulnerable young people. A huge thank you to everyone who took part in this empowering event. I can’t wait to have a follow-up meeting in a few months to see the progress we have made together!  This afternoon I was proud to be lending my medical skills ringside. Boxing brings communities together, and offers invaluable support and mentorship to many young people - and Balham Boxing Club certainly does that, and more. Supporting incredibly talented young boys and girls achieve their potential today was an absolute pleasure.  Today I had the honour of seeing my photograph framed in Portcullis House for the first time, as part of the 209 Women Exhibition. The 209 portraits of all female MPs, captured by a collective of 209 UK based female photographers, marks the centenary of the first vote for women. I am incredibly proud to be part of such an amazing project, and be surrounded by these impressive women. We have come a long way, but there's still much more to be done! |