I hope you are looking forward to the weekend. I'm slightly apprehensive, because tomorrow I'll be strapping myself to a plane and taking part in a Wing Walk!

It's all for a good cause. Florence - a wonderful 9-year old girl from Dukinfield - has a rare life-limiting degenerative condition called GM1. We're raising money for Florence and her family to make beautiful memories. 

If you are able to, you can donate by clicking here, or by pressing the big pink button below. 

Wish me luck!!!

This week is mental health awareness week, a national week where we raise awareness of mental health and look at how we can improve support for people right across the country.

I have made no secret of my own struggles with mental ill-health. I suffer from depression, and at certain periods this has made it tremendously difficult to get out bed in the morning, let alone do my job and tackle the day to day responsibilities of adult life. 

As a Member of Parliament, I have been chosen to represent people right across Tameside. That representation means speaking out about things like mental ill-health, and letting people know that there is absolutely no shame in seeking help.

We have made huge strides in eliminating some of the stigma around mental health, but there is still so much more to do. It’s estimated that 1 in 6 adults experience symptoms of a common mental health problem at any given time, and the demand for mental health services is fast outstripping the resources offered to them, with 4.6 million mental health referrals issued in 2022 alone.

So, raising awareness of the problem is vital, but I’m conscious that this must come with action.

That’s why I’ve been so proud to support Labour’s mental health pledge, which would see mental health treatment guaranteed within a month, thousands more mental health professionals recruited, and an open access hub for young people in every community.

This unprecedented investment would be paid for by closing tax loopholes which the Government have allowed to be exploited for far too long.

I have no doubt that this pledge will have a truly transformative impact on people right across Tameside. Mental ill health can be debilitating, and its incredibly important that the infrastructure is in place to support local people.

So, my message for this mental health day is clear; if you’re struggling, please talk to someone. Reach out to friends or family, your GP, or call helplines like the Samaritans (116 123) who will pick up the phone 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

This week also serves as a reminder to check-in on your loved ones. It costs nothing, but I know from first-hand experience that it can make a world of difference if you’re struggling.

Let’s keep talking, and build a health service where people can access the support they need, when they need it.

Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, has marked Dementia Action Week and called for more to be done to tackle slow regional variations in dementia diagnosis.

Dementia Action Week is an annual initiative which runs from the 15 – 21 May. Each year, Alzheimer’s Society works with individuals and organisations across the UK to encourage people to act on dementia.

On Thursday, Gwynne met with Alzheimer’s Society representatives in Parliament to discuss issues facing dementia care, both locally and across the country. Statistics show that someone develops dementia every three minutes, but just 63% of people with dementia receive a diagnosis.

In Denton and Reddish, the dementia diagnosis rate is currently just above 68%, above the national target. Gwynne has welcomed the data, but stated that ‘there is always more work to do’ in ensuring people receive a timely and accurate diagnosis.

Commenting, Andrew Gwynne said: 

“I’m very proud to be supporting Dementia Action Week. It’s so important that we not only raise awareness of dementia, but continue to emphasise the importance of early diagnosis and high-quality treatment.

“There were some really positive figures on dementia diagnoses in Denton and Reddish. While there is always more work to do, it’s positive that we’re ahead of the curve on this locally.

“If you want to get involved with the excellent work that Alzheimer’s Society are doing right across the country, do visit their website. We all need to work together to improve dementia care for everyone.”

James White, Head of National Influencing at Azheimer’s Society, added: 

“We thank Andrew Gwynne MP for meeting with us, and showing his support this Dementia Action Week.

“The dementia diagnosis rate fell below the national ambition during the pandemic, and it has remained stagnant around 62% ever since. More than 30,000 people have missed out on a diagnosis, and therefore access to help and support, during this period. ”

“We believe it’s better to know – 9 in 10 people told us they benefitted from getting a diagnosis as it meant they could access treatment and advice and plan for the future.

“Government needs to take urgent action to level up the diagnosis rate across the country, and ensure that people with dementia are not slipping through the net.”

Pictured Below: Gwynne at the Alzheimer’s Society event in Parliament on Wednesday.

PETER PAN  

DENTON ARTISAN MARKET  

DENTON WEST END COMMUNITY LIBRARY SPRING FAIR

REDDISH HALL SCHOOL

 WATCH: In Westminster Hall we have a debate on NHS dentistry in the East of England.

There are dental deserts popping up all over the country, where people are unable to access care and living in agony.

The Tories have had 13 years, it's time they got on with sorting this crisis out.

 WATCH: In the Transport statement, I raise the need for the Government to get a grip on bus operators gaming the system.

The Minister doesn't seem to appreciate my point. Greater Manchester is taking back control of the bus franchising system, but the Government is denying those same powers to the rest of England!

 WATCH: In 2002, Oldham Batteries closed its doors for the last time after more than 100 years.

The skills that powered the factory still exist in Tameside, even if the building has closed.

In an urgent question on the car industry, I ask the Minister what we can do to utilise historic skills in new and future job opportunities.

READ: HuffPost Politics has picked up on some of my comments from a GB News “Real Life” interview I did with Gloria DePiero earlier in the week. As it’s Mental Health Week, what better a subject than mental health?

And please remember, it’s ok not to be ok. There is help out there!

Read the full piece here.