I recently met the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) to hear about the vital work that they do for people that suffer from mental health issues. I was also really pleased to see that Recovery Across Mental Health (RAMH) has been awarded the “Gold Standard for Investment In People”. In Renfrewshire, RAMH provides an essential service for constituents providing support to those in crisis situations as well as helping people to lead fulfilled lives.

Mental health is a topic that pops up all too often and I constantly hear of the discrimination that exists for those that suffer from mental health problems rather than physically visible health issues. One of the main themes that seems to emerge when I meet people who work in mental health is how the UK benefits system leaves mental health sufferers behind. People with mental health conditions are more likely to be sanctioned which, in turn, means that they are more likely to be made homeless or rely on foodbanks to survive. It’s important to support and raise awareness of mental health issues as I am sure many of you know someone that is affected.

I’m taking this opportunity to also make you aware of a group from Johnstone looking to save a part of the town’s history. The old school building on the Beith Road has been used until recently as a storage facility for Christmas lights by Renfrewshire Council, but the building now lies empty.

Councillor Andy Steel has been working closely with the group and has arranged a meeting so that local residents can have a say on what the building could be used for in the future.

The old school building was thought to be built between 1825 and 1837 and it would be a shame to see a part of Johnstone history fall into disrepair or remain empty for the foreseeable future. If you are interested in getting involved or have any ideas for what the building could be used for then please pop along to the Johnstone Town Hall on Wednesday, September 6 at 6pm.

Ready For New Roles: Next week will see the house rise as the UK Parliament returns and I will be back in London for most of the week representing the people of Paisley and Renfrewshire South. It’s a privilege for me to have been asked to take on the role of pensions spokesperson and youth spokesperson for the SNP group at Westminster. Both are really important roles for completely different reasons, however, I hope that the work I can deliver in my pensions role will benefit young people because at the rate the Conservative government is currently going, our generation won’t have a pension to rely on.