The Summer holidays are a great opportunity for us all to get some well-deserved rest, after working hard all year round. For MPs it is an opportunity to make the most of the time when Parliament isn’t sitting and get out and about in our constituencies. This August has been no different and I’ve been able to spent time with plenty of fantastic organisations across Cheadle.
Not everyone can get away for a holiday so ‘Holiday at Home’, which is held at the United Reformed Church in Bramhall, offers a fantastic ‘holiday’ experience within our community. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting them and taking part in some of the activities they had on offer, including flower arranging. It is hard-working volunteers who tirelessly dedicate their time to such good causes that make this possible, and I thank them for their time and effort. If you, a friend or relative are interested in joining in next time then make sure to look out for upcoming events on their website.
For several years Government have funded Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme sessions across our area with funding available to schools, childcare providers, voluntary and community groups. Funded places are available for children who receive means tested free school meals who have the chance to take part in sports and enrichment activities whilst also receiving lunch. I enjoyed visiting the HAF organised by Sportscool Cheshire at Outwood Primary School in Heald Green – playing ‘glow in the dark dodgeball’ with some of the students was great fun!
All year round, people fundraise and donate to our wonderful hospices like St Ann’s at Heald Green and so I was pleased to be able to meet with the St Ann’s team and thank them for their work and hear about their exciting plans for a new Hospice. With individual rooms and private terraces this new facility will enable them to continue to provide excellent palliative and end of life care for our community for many years to come and I look forward to seeing the building progress.
Local businesses are the heart of our community, so I continue to send the message that we should all ‘shop local’ and support our businesses which work so hard all year round to keep our high streets healthy. Many of our businesses go above and beyond for our communities, helping to organise events like the first outdoor cinema at Cheadle Hulme’s Oak Meadow Park on the bank holiday weekend or ‘Christmas Lights switch on’ events and they help keep our communities vibrant. They deserve our support.
Throughout summer my team and I have also been working hard, assisting constituents with a wide range of issues, as well as holding surgeries.
Parliament is back in Westminster this week and I will continue to speak up for residents and will work for legislative change for Whistleblowers protection.
