Jon Ashworth MP was taken for a blindfolded walk around Leicester City Centre with a guide dog and representative from the ‘Guide Dogs for the Blind' charity in order to experience the difficulties faced by visually-impaired and blind people.

Speaking before the walk, Jon said: “I am pleased to have the opportunity to do a blindfolded walk around Leicester with a guide dog. Guide dogs are such an important aid for people who suffer from visual impairments, and I hope this walk will demonstrate just how dependent people can be on their guide dogs.”

‘Guide Dogs for the Blind' is a national charity that campaigns for the improvement of services for the blind and partially-sighted. Their campaigns aim to raise awareness about the rights that most people take for granted, and they are currently working on five main campaigns to improve access to services and safety for those people who suffer from visual impairment.

Jon commented: “Guide Dogs for the Blind' have launched five campaigns to assist those people who rely on guide dogs, and one of the most important of these campaigns is to improve town and street designs. Cities should be designed to be more accessible for people with guide dogs, and even for those who don't rely on guide dogs.”

“In a busy city like Leicester, where everyone must deal with increasing levels of traffic, guide dogs can be essential for some people. Hopefully my blindfolded walk will raise awareness of the good work that Guide Dogs charity does on a national level.”

Jackie Elshaw, Guide Dogs' Engagement Officer, said: "We are delighted to be in Jonathan's constituency and for his support. At Guide Dogs we are committed to ensuring that all blind and partially sighted can enjoy the same freedom of movement as everybody else. But the reality is that they have to overcome extraordinary challenges every day to do the things that the rest of us take for granted. It is only by being able to meet with people like Jonathan and for them to experience sight loss that we can hope to achieve this".

A debate was held in Westminster Hall today as a result of more than 100,000 people signing a petition which urged the government to reconsider its decision to end children's heart services in Glenfield and move the ECMO service to Birmingham.

The campaign has been spearheaded by Liz Kendall MP for Leicester West, Jon and other Leicestershire MPs and has received huge support from local supporters.

Speaking in today's debate, Jon stated: “This issue has caused considerable concern, not only in my Leicester South constituency but across the East Midlands region. It is no surprise to those of us who have been involved in the campaign that the e-petition has hit 100,000 signatures.”

Jon highlighted the importance of the specialist services provided in Glenfield, and argued that the government's proposals would have a wider effect on paediatric care:“

Jon Ashworth MP attended both the Shree Hindu Temple and Community Centre on St Barnabas Road, and Leicester's DeMontfort Hall, to join the Hindu community in their celebration of the festival of Navratri.

The festival of Navratri is a nine-night long celebration dedicated to the worship of the Hindu Goddess Shakti. Shakti is considered to be the Mother Goddess in the Hindu tradition, and each of the different nine nights of the festival celebrates the various forms that the Goddess takes.

Jon said:“I am pleased to be able to take part in the Navratri celebrations here in Leicester, especially because it holds such significance for the Hindu community in my Constituency. The festival allows people from all generations to come together and celebrate in good spirits, and I am pleased to be able to participate in these events.”

“Leicester is a vibrant, diverse and multicultural City, and it is very positive to see people of all ages coming together to celebrate their religious festivals in such a public way.”

As part of the celebrations worshippers engage in special dance routines, and these dance celebrations are particularly popular amongst the Indian Gujarati and Bengali communities.Mr Maganbhai P Patel OBE, President of the Leicester Hindu Festival Council, and Mr Jashvantlal Chauhan OBE, General Secretary of the Leicester Hindu Festival Council, both attended the celebrations.

Jon gave a speech at the launch event at Voluntary Action Leicester on Friday, October 12.

Jon stated: “Good housing is crucial for good mental health, offering stability and security. So good quality housing related support is essential to those recovering from mental health illnesses and to prevent deterioration of mental health.”

“With the current pressure on budgets it is important that the quality and level of housing related support services are not adversely affected, and especially the services offered by small locally based organisations.”

The government's mental health strategy for England stresses the importance of housing for everyone's mental health and particularly for those recovering from mental health problems.

Dave Keysell, Floating Support Team Leader at Foundation Housing Association, stated: “The importance of housing for mental health recovery is clear, and housing-related support significantly more than pays for itself through savings to other parts of the public purse, such as reducing the need for people to take up expensive hospital services.”

“Appropriate person-centred support can be shown to reduce deterioration in mental health, enabling better health and well being, and helping people maintain their homes and manage their lives in a more positive, less stressful way.”

“The Conduit Consortium is a group of providers working in Leicester offering support to people with mental health issues and housing-related support needs. It currently provides floating support to people in their own homes, as well as residential and daytime projects.”

Saffron Pre-School is one of thousands of schools and nurseries across more than 30 countries taking part in celebrations dedicated to World School Milk Day on 26 th September. The day encourages children to drink milk and aims to educate them about the benefits of milk.

Prior to the visit to Saffron Pre-School, Jon said: “I'm a big supporter of the School Milk Scheme. It is a great way for children to get essential nutrients and fresh milk also helps learning. I'm really looking forward to handing out the daily milk at Saffron Pre-School along with the local Councillor, Elly Cutkelvin.”

Saffron Pre-School has been running for over three years and has 90 families attending from the Estate.

In the UK, school milk is free for children in day-care or primary education under the age of five, and subsidised for school students aged five to 11. Milk is delivered fresh and chilled to the classroom, distributed by students and consumed as a group.

This process aids children's social development, including responsibility, independence and manners. Children also benefit from the nutrients and vitamins in milk, which aids their health and physical development – while also helping to ensure their hydration and improved concentration.

John Sedgwick, Managing Director of Cool Milk, confirmed that supplying milk to schools, nurseries is vital in helping children to develop important nutrition and social habits.

Speaking after the announcement Jon said: “I am extremely disappointed by the decision of the RFU to not include the home of the Leicester Tigers as a host for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Welford Road is the largest Club ground in the country, and Tigers is the most successful professional rugby club in England. The decision not to include Welford Road is nonsensical.”

In 2009 Leicester Tigers took the decision to invest £15 million to build the Caterpillar Stand, which increased the capacity of the ground to 24,000.

Jon continued: “I have spoken to the Chief Executive of Leicester Tigers, Simon Cohen, about this inexplicable decision, especially when it is considered that the Club has vast experience of hosting international matches.”

“I have today written to the Minister of Sport, Rt Hon Hugh Robertson MP, and the Chief Executive of England Rugby 2015, Debbie Jevans, to ask them to reconsider this decision. Welford Road is an ideal venue for the Rugby World Cup.”

Jon visited the primary school with local Councillor, Virginia Cleaver. Jon and Councillor Cleaver had a tour of the school by the School Council which consists of elected members from each class. They then answered questions by members of the School Council.

Before the visit, Jon said: “I'm really looking forward to visiting another primary school in my Constituency. Earlier in the year Rolleston's work in mathematics was inspected and was found to be good, including the quality of the teaching in this key subject.”

After meeting the School Council Jon and Councillor Cleaver, who is a governor of Rolleston, called in on the school's Sports Day before meeting with the Headteacher.

Jon commented: “I was keen to meet with the Headteacher to discuss the challenges facing the school and the school's plans for the future.”

Speaking before the visit, Steve Jones, Headteacher at Rolleston, said: “Our school council representatives are very excited about the prospect of meeting Jon Ashworth MP. We hope he recognises how hard both the pupils and staff work to make Rolleston successful.”

Rolleston Primary School serves part of the Eyres Monsell Estate with over 300 pupils on roll. It opened in 2004 following the merger of an infant and junior school.

Councillor Cleaver commented: “I know that the staff at Rolleston work very hard to meet the needs of all families within the area and it is important, as a local Councillor, that staff and parents know that they can contact me.”

Jon Ashworth MP met with staff and individuals with links to the Somali Development Services (SDS) centre on Abingdon Road. The SDS provides culturally sensitive support for local people to acquire skills, access employment, education, and to contribute to the economic development of the local community.

Members of the SDS gave presentations on the issues facing the Somali community in Leicester. One issue of particular importance that was discussed was family support services, the problems faced by Somali families, and how the SDS hopes to tackle these problems.

Jon said: “I was pleased to see the good work that Somali Development Services provides to the local community in Leicester. They cater not just for the Somali community, but for all local people who require their services.”

The SDS was established in 2001, and now has an annual turnover of over £150,000. They offer services in family and young people support, adult learning, employment and training, career development and cultural awareness training. They also offer drop-in sessions, where people can get help and advice with issues such as benefits, utility bills, housing, debt, education, immigration, and health.