Scottish Votepods.com

Photos of everything

Over at our associate Scottish Votepods Unplugged there are photos of all of the Debates.

If you want to see images form the events then please take a look. Indeed, if you have a better shot that you would like to share then please send it to us for consideration.

Yours aye.

Are we connecting ?

We have now completed 6 Big Debates and everyone has been kind enough to thank us for our efforts. That's great and we appreciate it. However, we would like to hear your personal story. If  you were an organiser, a participant, a member of the audience or even a panelist, what did you think ? If you have  watched the video clips on YouTube or listened via iTunes, what was it like for you ? Did the event work for you ? Are you feeling more connected to the issues ? Do you think this method of engagement works ? Lots of people have expressed opinions - let's have a debate about the Big Debates. After we all need to connect. Right.

Wellbeing Debate - Perth

In a hustings organised by the Perth Association for Mental Health, a lively audience filled the theatre at the AK Bell Library in Perth to discuss wellbeing and health.

We have broken the debate down into managable sections that you can  listen and view directly on this page. You can also view videos on the Scottish VotePod Channel on You Tube, subscribe to the audio podcasts on iTunes or directly download the audio files. Our audio clips allow you to listen to the discussion in detail, while the video clips will feature shorter highlight clips.

The following party representatives took part.

SOLIDARITY - Alan Manley
LAB - Doug Maughan
SNP  - Roseanna Cunningham
CONSERVATIVE -  Mary Scanlon
LIB DEM -  Alex Cole-Hamilton
GREEN  - Mark Ruskell
SSP - Charlie McCarthy

Lesley Riddoch introduces the panel.

AUDIO

Section 1: The evening started with musical entertainment from St Andrew of the Woolen Mill and the  enjoyment of the music prompted the first question from the floor.

You can download the file here.

Section 2: The effect of alcohol on the health and wellbeing of teenagers was a particular concern of this member of the audience.

You can download the file here

Section 3: In the third section the panel are asked if the stress induced by our attitude to work is a major contributor to ill health and whether more could be done to assist voluntary organisations involved with wellbeing

You can download the file here.

Section 4: In an attempt to find common ground amongst the panel, this questioner sought to discover what the politicians would most like to do to improve their own personal wellbeing.

You can download the file here

Section 5: In the final section of the Wellbeing Debate, Lesley gives the audience an opportunity to raise further issues for the panel of politicians to respond to.

You can download the file here

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

This clip features discussion on the benefits of the arts for wellbeing.

In this clip Mark Ruskell discusses the problem of binge drinking amongst young people

Discussion on setting spending priorities in health care.

Video produced by students from Abertay University.

No Tickets left for Perth Debate

All the tickets for tonights Big Wellbeing Debate in the AK Bell library in Perth have now gone.

The line up for tonights debate is

SOLIDARITY - Jim Malone
LAB - Doug Maughan
SNP  - Roseanna Cunningham
CONSERVATIVE -  Mary Scanlon
LIB DEM -  Alex Cole-Hamilton
GREEN  - Mark Ruskell
SSP - Lorna Bett

However, you will be able to catch up on the debate with audio and video clips being posted here tomorrow.

Wellbeing talks back

Alastair Jamieson, the Wellbeing surpemo, has been in touch with some feedback on the Big Wellbeing Debate.

"Been trying to get round to a pile of thank you letters re. Monday all week but will get there. Emails and texts have honestly piled in with nothing but praise including comments such as ..."

Desperately Seeking Labour Candidates

The organisers of three  Scottish Votepod election debates are appealing for anyone able to represent Labour policy in the forthcoming Holyrood elections to come forward.

The Big Wellbeing Debate at the AK Bell Library in Perth on Monday 16th April at 7pm has been arranged for several months and has leading candidates from all the other major parties. But Labour Party HQ in Glasgow has been unable to field a Labour candidate to attend. The Big Work Debate at Abertay University in Dundee on April 30th and the Big Islands Debate in Portree on Skye on April 26th are also currently minus official Labour representatives.

In fact of the five Votepod Debates being held north of Stirling, Labour have opted not to send any serving MSPs.

Broadcaster Lesley Riddoch is part of the volunteer team of ex NCR and BBC colleagues behind the Votepod debate series.  The Big Lottery, BT and Joseph Rowntree Trust backed events also feature music from artists like Capercaillie, Sheena Wellington and the Hazey Janes and the use of electronic voting pads.

Ms Riddoch said she was disappointed Labour couldn’t get any of their existing MSPs to pitch up north of the central belt and said organisers would be delighted to hear from any enthusiastic and articulate members of the Labour party with expertise in Mental Health, Work and Skills or Island issues by email.

Visit The Wellbeing Forum

The organisers of the Wellbeing Debate have set up an online forum to help set the agenda for the event. You can contribute to it here.

Concerns over peoples health and the services provided by the NHS are likely to be a major factor in this election.  The online forum  provides a great opportunity to raise issues and debate them ahead of the Votepod event.

The Wellbeing Debate is taking place at 7.00pm in the AK Bell Library, Perth on Monday 16th April. There are very few places left so if you want to attend e-mail the organisers. Musical entertainment is  provided by Michael Marra and St Andrew of the Woolen Mill.

The event is supported by Highland Spring.

Help Shape the Debate - Post a Comment

While we want as many people as possible to attend the events, we realise that not everybody will be able to go. So if you've got a question you want to ask or an issue that you would like Lesley to raise, please let us know. We'll do our best to include them at the event.

You can contribute here or by clicking on the comments tab at the bottom of each individual entry on this site. If you prefer, you can e-mail us directly.

Don't just sit there - get involved and Shape the Debate.

The Scottish Podcast Events

Here is the list of events with date and location.

For ticket requests contact us or where listed below the local organiser. Not all events require tickets.

Further details of participants, musicians, timing and arrangements for tickets etc will be announced as and when they are confirmed.

• March 19th The Big Student Debate – McEwan Hall, Edinburgh University. Starts at 12 Noon.
No tickets required. Stand-up comedy from Janey Godley. Organised by Edinburgh University Students Association.

• April 12th The Seniors Big Debate, 2.00pm Albert Halls, Stirling. Music from Sheena Wellington. Organised by West of Scotland Seniors Forum.

• April 16th The Big Wellbeing Debate –  AK Bell Theatre, Perth. Starts 7.30. Ticket arrangements to follow. Music from St. Andrew of the Woolen Mill (including Michael Marra and Kevin Murray). This event is organised by the Perth Association for Mental Health.

• April 17th The Big Green Debate - The Hub, Edinburgh. Starts 7.30. No tickets - entry first come, first served. Musical entertainment from Capercaille. The event is organised by the EveryOne campaign

• April 19th The Big Energy Debate - Caird Hall, Dundee. Solar Cities Scotland is hosting this debate on the evening of Thursday 19th April 2007. There will be an energy fair and music from the Hazey Janes. Tickets are free but limited. Email the local organiser.

• April 20th  The Big Cairngorm Debate - MacDonald Aviemore Centre. Doors open 7.00 for 7.30pm start. Music from Babelfish. The event will be advertised locally and tickets are required. Organised by The Inner Wheel of Spey Valley  there will be a small charge, proceeds going to charity. Please email local organiser.

• April 23rd, The Big Grey Power Debate -  Banqueting Hall, City Chambers, Glasgow. 2.00pm. Music from Sheena Wellington. No tickets required. Organised by the Scottish Pensioners Forum.

• April 25th The Big Neighbourhood Debate – 7.00pm, Ocean Terminal, Leith. 

• April 26th The Big Island Debate – 7.00pm, Aros Centre,  Music from Babalfish.

• April 30th  The Big Work Debate – 7.00pm, Main Lecture Theatre, Abertay University,  Dundee. Music from Sheena Wellington. Free tickets by emailing the organisers Dundee Voluntary Action or phone 0138 2221545