Earlier this week, Stephen attended the RSPCA’s drop-in in the House of Commons and met with Chief Executive Chris Sherwood to hear about its ‘Generation Kind’ initiative helps teach compassion to new generations and work to protect animals in East Ham.
Research by the RSPCA revealed that nearly a quarter of school children aged 10-18 have witnessed animal cruelty and neglect on social media. Generation Kind, the charity’s biggest ever education and prevention programme, was developed to help address this.
Chief Executive, Chris Sherwood, said: “It’s great that Stephen attended our drop in event to find out how we help animals in their constituency.”
“We are working hard to create a generation of children who treat animals with kindness, compassion and respect through Generation Kind - a series of projects working with youngsters at risk of offending, animal care sessions for children in care and also talks and competitions for primary and secondary school children designed to make them think about animal welfare.”
Speaking after the reception, Stephen said: “I’m proud to support the RSPCA and the work that they do to protect animal welfare in East Ham. It was fantastic to hear about their work and to thank them on behalf of the animal lovers in our area for all that they do.
“However, I am saddened that young children are being exposed to horrific incidents of animal suffering online, in ways previous generations have simply not experienced. We all have a duty to raise the next generation to be kind and compassionate to animals and I will continue to work closely with the RSPCA to help improve standards of animal welfare in East Ham and across the UK.”