Well, I’ve set myself the task of writing a weekly blog this year but I’m yet to find the time to do it! Like most, I took some time out over Christmas to spend time with my family and recharge my batteries before getting back into full swing in Parliament.
My days have been full of debates in the chamber, delegated legislation for the shadow Home Office and meetings for my various campaigns. I held a drop-in event for my Child Funeral Fund campaign, became chair of the APPG on State Pension Inequality for Women and launched the Fixed Odds Betting Terminals APPG report, all within the space of a week!
Due to my ever increasing workload there have been some additions to my staff this month, Abbie who has been doing work experience in my Westminster office has now started working with us part time as a researcher and Ellie has joined the constituency office team as a caseworker. Sadly, we have said goodbye to Sam who is continuing his studies and working towards a role in local government.
As we’re in recess, it’s been a busy week for me as usual. On Monday, Ellie and I went on our first day trip together as she accompanied me on my visit to the Fire Service College in Gloucestershire. It was a very informative trip and we were amazed by the attention to detail in the training facilities.
On Tuesday I took Linzi on a Valentines trip to Cardiff as we visited The Living Room Cardiff. LRC have been very supportive of the Fixed Odds Betting Terminals APPG over the last year and I finally had a chance to visit their centre and speak to some of their service users who attend for a wide range of addictions. I left feeling inspired by the people who told me how they had hit rock bottom but were now turning their life around.
Wednesday was a very busy day, firstly I held a surgery in Jersey Park Pavilion, and then my constituency team went for lunch in the Manselton Hotel as it was Sam’s last day. Emma and I visited Morriston Fire Station in the afternoon and were welcomed by crew from all over the Mid and West Wales Fire region who displayed some of their training courses for us.
I’m hosting a coffee morning in Jersey Park Pavilion this Saturday, raising money to send a bus full of 1950s women to London on 8th March, I hope to see as many faces there as possible!
I told myself I was going to have Thursday and Friday off but I’ve found myself attending a few meetings this morning and I’ve finally sat down to write my first blog of the year. I will try my best to keep you updated!
Carolyn x
