Emma Roddick MSP

Constituents can also reach out for help at any time and I will do what I can to assist:
📧 emma.roddick.msp@parliament.scot
📞 01463 563036
📮 M4.04 the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP

Emma stands wearing a burgundy coat and patterned cream and brown blouse on Grant Street, Inverness. Overset text reads "Cost-of-living support available in the Highlands and Islands"

This Challenge Poverty Week, I'm very aware that people are struggling for all sorts of reasons. From energy advice to mental health support in your area, I've pulled together some local support here: emmaroddick.scot/cos...

Emma stands on the Infirmary Bridge, smiling with her hair in her face. Text reads "A look back at this week. Visited the new Nairn Academy site. Voted for the Housing Bill at Stage 3. Met with the Highland Council about Drummond School concerns. Chatted to Helpful Hugs about how I can help support efforts to help parents with kids in hospital. Attended a roundtable with EIS about further and higher education workers

Huge highlights this week, between the Housing Bill passing and getting to see the new Nairn Academy take shape.

I've kept trying to push issues forward between parliamentary business, meeting with locals and pursuing casework.

Emma, face out of shot, wears a brown cardigan and in her arms is a fluffy, grey cat with yellow eyes, looking very comfortable.

Blue, the grey cat, sits back on a bed covered by a cream patterned duvet. Her toe beans are visible. In the background is a bookcase and a TV with a screensaver on.

Emma takes a selfie on her sofa, with Blue sitting and facing the other way obstinately. In the background is a turntable. Next to Blue on the sofa is a cushion with a TARDIS design.

Ahead of #WorldAnimalDay tomorrow, Blue would like to remind you:
1. It's all about her
2. The SSPCA works hard to ensure all animals in Scotland, including wee rescued Blue, live the best lives possible
3. The SSPCA needs to know she doesn't get enough Dreamies 🐈‍⬛

I loved being asked to take part in this exhibition along with Centred service users and local artists. I hope that Body of Work and the other five mannequins organised through Centred provoke thought and raise awareness of mental illness and Centred as a charity 💙

Emma takes a selfie with a mannequin, which has been painted in glossy blue and had light grey joggers placed on him. Written in gold across his face, arms, and chest are physical symptoms of mental illness, including: palpitations, fatigue, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, nausea, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, neck pain, migraine, insomnia, blushing. Emma grins in a black and white stripy t-shirt.

The mannequin on his own - this time, it is clearer to see the paintbrush he holds in his right hand, and the crutch in his left, which is covered in empty pill packets.

Another angle shows the mannequin holding up his paintbrush. On his arm is written: "shivers, muscle aches, loss of fine motor skills"

A close-up of the mannequin's crutch shows the packaging of various medications used to treat anxiety and depression.

Meet "Body of Work", who will be part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival exhibit at Eden Court, which I've taken part in through Centred.

Body of Work struggles with the physical impacts of his mental illness, but his "just a crutch" medication helps him to create beautiful things anyway.

I loved hearing how input from staff and students has informed the spaces inside.
Looking forward to coming back sometime without a hard hat! 👷‍♀️

Emma walks in a group, all wearing hard hats in yellow and white, and steel toed boots, walking towards the camera and away from a school building site in the background.

Emma takes a selfie in her yellow "Balfour Beatty" hat and hi-vis vest, next to a sign that says "Nairn Academy, 300 Days to Handover" - the numbers are swappable.

Six people including Emma pose in front of the school building in their hi-vis, grinning between heras fencing.

Inside the school, there are exposed beams and lots of plant with workers in the background getting on with various jobs. The group grins again.

It was such a treat to walk around the Nairn Academy construction site with Balfour Beatty and the Highland Council - with fewer than 300 days to handover, it's so exciting to see the school take shape!

This is a huge investment by the SNP Government and there's great excitement about it.

Emma stands in the Parliament chamber, grinning and wearing a red blazer. The subtitle reads "Stage 3 Proceedings: Housing (Scotland) Bill". Overset text next to a green tick says "The Housing Bill has passed"

The Housing Bill has passed! 🥳

It has been so special as someone with experience of homelessness to take part in hours of debate on amendments, including my own which passed unanimously.

This is a huge win for tenants & a crucial step towards tackling Scotland's housing emergency. @snp.org

I enjoy drafting my newsletter at the end of each month and deciding what to include. Remember you can subscribe and view all past editions on my website, www.emmaroddick.scot/newsletter

Emma cuts a cake alongside a man cutting another beside her. Overset text reads "read more in my monthly newsletter at emmaroddick.scot/newsletter

It's more difficult some weeks than others to find time, but despite having to send apologies to some events - like the Climate Mass Lobby held at the same time as my wildfire debate - I fit in plenty of catch-ups with constituents & campaign groups.

Four photos show Emma with Scotland Demands Better, 999 Day, Scotland for Decrim, and See Beyond the Lives Scotland campaign signs. Overset text reads "Engaging with campaigns. Post-recess is always a busy time in Parliament - I was glad to catch up with national organisations and some constituents at events in Holyrood."

Emma grins, holding a correx board that reads "I'm in to end homelessness in Scotland". Overset text reads "Changing housing law. I reached agreement with government on collecting data about what private landlords are charging for rents. I believe this will be critical to making better policy and law in future.

Emma stands with four other people in the tool library. Overset text reads "Dropping by local events. The Tool Library's Climate Awareness morning was a good opportunity to catch up with this team which is going from strength to strength. I look forward to visiting its new premises at New Start very soon."

Emma wears headphones, standing on the pavement of a housing estate and holding up a newspaper, with the heading "Emma Roddick MSP" and headline "Championing Merkinch". Overset text reads "Getting out and about. I've enjoyed knocking doors in the area and delivering my newspaper to communities in Merkinch, South Kessock, and the Carse. I'll be out again in Nairn this week!"

What a month! The Housing Bill was always going to mean a busy few weeks: September saw lots of legislating as well as getting out and about between parliamentary sittings.

📰 Read more in my monthly newsletter: mailchi.mp/a33928815...

Emma wears red, speaking at a lectern. Text reads "a look back at this week. Amended the Housing Bill, improving data collection. Attended the Crofting CPG in Inverness. Joined ICT Community Development & SFA for football in Falcon Square on UEFA Grassroots Week. Met with government to speak about education, housing, and health. Went along to the Loch Ness Marathon to cheer on participants; talk to volunteers & staff

A lot of this week was dedicated to voting on and debating amendments to the Housing Bill - something I've been looking forward to since my election.
I've also got out and about in Inverness, at street football, the Crofting CPG, and the Loch Ness Marathon 🏃‍♀️

✉️ emma.roddick.msp@parliament.scot
📞 01463 563 036
📍 M4.04, The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP

Emma smiles in an oversized cream coat, standing next to the railway line at Nairn Train Station. Overset text reads "Here to help - contact me at any time if I can be of assistance. Email: emma.roddick.msp@parliament.scot. Phone: 01463 563036. Facebook, Instagram, X, Bluesky, TikTok, YouTube: @EmmaRoddickSNP.

As MSP for the Highlands & Islands, I'm here to help. Reach out any time using the contact details below - whether you need help with something, want to know more about my position on a particular policy, or just want to make me aware of an issue, I’ll be glad to hear from you.

Emma grins in a cream coat, next to a railway. Text reads "A look back at this week. Led a debate on tackling and preventing wildfires. Met with trade union reps. Questioned government on upholding children's rights under UNCRC, and on healthcare in Skye. Voted with a majority of MSPs to pass the Victims Bill, abolishing Not Proven. Spoke at MECOPP's 25th birthday celebrations, recognising the contribution of carers

This was a big week in Parliament, with the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform Bill passing. I also led my own debate on the intensity and frequency of wildfires, and questioned government on healthcare and children's rights.

Emma stands between James and Maggie from MECOPP, all three wearing business attire. Behind them on the wall are felted paintings, and Emma holds a cup of orange juice. There are large windows behind them, showing trees outside, and backs of heads are visible in the busy room between.

Emma, in a red blazer with a black top that has roses on it, gestures as she speaks at a lectern with a microphone. She looks up, apparently addressing a crowd seated high up.

Emma and Jim from MECOPP both cut a cake each, holding large knives and grinning.

It was an honour to join MECOPP's 25th birthday celebrations between parliamentary business this week, and be asked to speak.
This organisation does incredible work recognising and supporting carers from racialised minority backgrounds and I'll always do what I can to support its amazing team.

Also not the Highlands 😂

But we have lots of trans people in the Highlands. I wouldn't recommend it more or less than anywhere else right now.

Emma stands on Castle Street, Inverness, in a burgundy coat, purple trousers, and a creamy blouse. Overset text reads "We need people to live here more than we need tourists - Emma Roddick MSP"

Done responsibly, tourism can be beneficial. But we need people to live in the region more than we need tourists.

We need vibrant, thriving communities, with families, young people, and skilled workers making the Highlands their home.

✍️ My latest blog: emmaroddick.scot/202...

I'm sorry not to be able to meet constituents who have gathered for the Climate Mass Lobby at Dynamic Earth.

However, I am stuck inside for good reason: pushing for more action on preventing and tackling wildfires, given the increase in frequency and intensity.

Graphic which shows a picture of Emma Roddick MSP in front of a Scottish Parliament background. The text reads: “the concerning increase in frequency and intensity of wildfires.”

There’s been an increase in the number and intensity of wildfires in recent years - we’ve all seen it. 🌳😨

@emmaroddicksnp.bsky.social will lead a debate on this in Parliament this afternoon. Watch here after 12.45pm - www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/meet...

Background image shows two people holding hands in a gesture of support. Bold white text reads: "Our reforms to Scotland's Justice System will: Abolish the 'not proven' verdict; Create a new sexual offences court; Strengthen victims' rights and transparency; Establish an independent Victims &Witnesses Commissioner:" A small banner along the bottom contains the SNP imprint: promoted by Scottish National Party, Gordon Lamb House, 3 Jackson's Entry, Edinburgh, EH8 8PJ

Really gutting that Labour & Tories chose to vote against this important bill today.

Happily, it passed anyway. Not Proven has been abolished, a specialist court will handle rape and sexual assault cases, and victims will be better supported thanks to the changes made by the @snp.org government.

This is an incredible resource which reduces waste, builds community, and fosters independence all in one.

Emma stands with four people, the two on either end wearing "Inverness Tool Library" aprons. In front of the group, which is smiling at the camera, is a table with various tools on it and another with branded tote bags and a sign encouraging people to sign up to volunteer or take part in workshops.

Emma looks thoughtfully at a stand which has various posters advertising the Highlands & Islands Climate Festival, 13 September to 8 October. The signs encourage people to eat, grow, share, and be local, and reference action in the Highlands, Orkney, and Shetland.

I've loved having the Tool Library in the Carse - happily, it's not moving too far down the road!

I came by for its last big open day in Telford Retail Park for the Climate Festival. The team is always looking for volunteers - invernesstoollibrary...

Emma grins, wearing light brown trousers, a white shirt, and red lipstick. She holds a sign that says "I'm in to end homelessness in Scotland" which is branded with the Crisis logo. Behind her is an empty cupboard.

The reason I wanted to get involved in politics, the reason I keep going, and the reason I am who I am, is homelessness.

I'll take any opportunity to help end it in Scotland, including working with the incredible Crisis team.

Looking forward to the final stage of the Housing Bill very soon 🏠 ❤️

Emma looks to the side, sitting in a white bus stop. Overset text reads "A look back at this week. Took part in Politics Scotland, speaking about the housing crisis and depopulation. Spoke in debates on Scotland's railway and exports. Met with Highland CIC to discuss sustainable tourism, renewables, and related policy needs. Popped along to Inverness Tool Library's open day. Continued to deliver my latest newspaper.

This week brought a few opportunities to get involved in debates and speak about Highlands and Islands industry and transport services.
Back home, I had some lovely chats at events and delivering newspapers to communities in Merkinch, South Kessock, and the Carse.

✉️ emma.roddick.msp@parliament.scot
📞 01463 563 036
📍 M4.04, The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP

Emma grins, standing on a beach wearing a burgundy coat and brown polkadot top. Overset text reads "Here to Help. Please contact me at any time if I can be of assistance." Email: emma.roddick.msp@parliament.scot. Phone: 01463 563036. Facebook, Instagram, X, Bluesky, TikTok, YouTube, @EmmaRoddickSNP

As MSP for the Highlands & Islands, I'm here to help.
Reach out any time using the contact details below - whether you need help with something, want to know more about my position on a particular policy, or just want to make me aware of an issue, I’ll be glad to hear from you.

🚂 Rail improvements have wide-ranging impact.
As well as welcoming the huge progress this session on rail, from nationalising ScotRail to the new Inverness Airport station, I outlined the need to continue to make improvements and support key industries to move their freight onto the railway.

Emma leans on a windowsill in a children's ward, speaking to a nurse in blue uniform. Overset text reads "SNP - Always on Scotland's side. Over 1,000 families in the Highlands and Islands supported with cost of visiting their child in hospital. 395 families in NHS Highland, 242 families in NHS Orkney, 343 families in NHS Shetland, and 1,000 families in the NHS Grampian area benefitted from the fund last year.

When a child's in hospital, the last thing parents and carers should have to worry about is how they'll afford to be there.
I've heard from Highlands & Islands families about the huge costs involved. The Young Patient's Family Fund is a compassionate way to ease that pressure.