Cross Party Group takes action on Brexit concerns

The potential impact of Brexit upon Camphill in Scotland, and upon the lives of co-workers from other EU countries in Scottish Camphill communities, was raised at the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group (CPG) on Brexit by Camphill Scotland and Members.

The purpose of the CPG on Brexit is to:

1. Act as a watchdog over the Brexit process to ensure Scotland’s needs and priorities are being met
2. Provide a forum for debate and discussion on all aspects of Brexit and its aftermath
3. Make contact with other European countries and institutions to examine the best ways forward for Scotland and the UK, post Brexit

The meeting on 23 May 2018 was chaired by Tavish Scott MSP, and was attended by Alex Neil MSP and Oliver Mundell MSP, and by individuals and organisations with an interest in Brexit. We raised the concerns of members about the potential impact of Brexit on European volunteering and also highlighted recent concerns about international volunteering generally.

Convenors promise action

As a result, and at our request, the Convenors of the group (Tavish Scott MSP and Alex Neil MSP) are writing to

• the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, the Rt Hon David Davis MP asking him to ‘to clarify the steps that will be taken to promote volunteering on an international basis post-Brexit’.
• the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport asking her to support our request for an independent evaluation of the impact of Brexit upon the health and social care sectors

Positive development

Camphill Scotland’s Director, Neil Henery, said:

This is a positive development that underlines the impact of our presentation to the Cross Party Group on Brexit, and Camphill Scotland is grateful to the Convenors for taking this follow up action. This will help to ensure that our efforts to preserve Camphill’s international links and the flow of volunteers maintains momentum and profile.

Further information

The CPG Brexit meeting was attended by Dr Neil Henery, Director of Camphill Scotland, Robert McGeachy, Policy and Engagement Manager, Ulrike Mall and Jonas Hellbrandt from Newton Dee, and Ionnis Cholevas from Tiphereth

Read a co-worker’s blog about the impact of Brexit on families and volunteers