WE are now in the Parliamentary recess - I always enjoy the summer recess as it gives me the time to get involved with as many local events, meet as many local businesses and hold as many constituent surgeries and pop-ins as possible.

With so much focus on international issues and the Brexit negotiations it is easy to lose sight of some of the fantastic work done by local champions, charities and social enterprises, who selflessly serve our community and make such a difference to so many lives. It is for this reason that my focus this summer will be on visiting and supporting as many local charities as possible.

One such visit is planned to the new site of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance in Semington, an opportunity to talk about the amazing new innovations they have incorporated into the new building and meet the fantastic staff and volunteers, who provide such a vital service to the community.

As an organisation, they rely on the generosity of local donors and fundraising and I look forward to hearing about the exciting forthcoming events and some of the recent life-saving missions they have undertaken.

I have received a large volume of correspondence from all corners of the constituency, concerned with the protection and enhancement of our environment and rivers and enhancing environmental protections post-Brexit. I am therefore meeting several local environmental charities and public bodies to assess the current situation, what additional support is needed and what we can do to preserve and enhance the beauty of the constituency.

I am particularly looking forward to the ‘Mature Matters’ pop-in sessions that I have arranged across the constituency, focusing on the specific issues and concerns of the older population and seeking to better understand what we as a government can do to improve the lives of this growing segment of the population. These are already booking up but spaces are still available in most locations and I would value the opportunity to hear your views.

I would also love to hear of any local events being run over the summer and will do my best to attend, so please let me know by emailing michelle.donelan.mp@parliament.uk or call on 01249 704465. Please also let me know, on the above if you would like to attend one of the ‘Mature Matters’ sessions, which are being run throughout the summer or require a surgery appointment.