News from Westminster
As the weather improves, it has been great to have a bit more time in Dorset recently during the recent recess. Despite the popular myth, recess is not just another word for MPs being on holidays! It is a chance for Members of Parliament to spend more time in their constituencies, and I always take the opportunity to visit local schools, or businesses, organisations and charities.
As I write, it is volunteers’ week, and I was pleased to be able to visit the Volunteer Centre Dorset to discuss their support of volunteers across Dorset. There are so many people volunteering in our communities, and often in unseen, unacknowledged roles. In many places across Dorset there are people volunteering in parish and town councils, and I was pleased to be able to thank some of them at the recent Upton Town Council annual assembly.
Another voluntary role that is incredibly valuable is working with children and families. I visited the charity HomeStart South East Dorset to hear about their work with over 200 families, providing support and friendship for families with young children. The feedback from families helped is incredibly positive, and HomeStart are always looking for volunteers. The typical time commitment is 1-2 hours per week over a 6 month period per family, and HomeStart will match families with the volunteer to whom they feel the family would be best suited. Please contact HomeStart on 01202 574877 if you are interested in becoming a valued volunteer.
Community sport is another area with hundreds of volunteers working for our young people, and I am hoping to visit some of the teams during the summer. I was delighted to be able to play as part of the team for Poole hockey club’s 125 year celebrations, though I am not as fit as I would like! If you run a community sport group, and would like me to visit one of your training sessions or matches, please do get in touch with my office.
In Westminster itself, although Brexit has been on the agenda, as always there are plenty of other things going on in Parliament too. I recently met a representative from Leonard Cheshire in Parliament, to discuss making work places fairer and more inclusive for people with disabilities. Leonard Cheshire support thousands of individuals in the UK and abroad, through their network of staff and volunteers.
If you would like to visit Parliament or have an issue that you need help with, please do get in touch; email me on [email protected] or contact my office on 01202 624216. You can also follow what I’ve been doing Twitter @Michael4mdnp or Facebook www.facebook.com/michael4MDNP
