Parliament is now in summer recess, which provides me an opportunity to spend even more time in the Forest of Dean. I will be meeting you, businesses, parents, teachers, farmers, attending community events and seeing the incredible aspects of where we live, the Forest of Dean, during summertime. As I mentioned in my previous article, this past year as your MP has brought csignificant developments — both nationally and right here in the Forest of Dean. We’ve seen welcome investment in local healthcare, with NHS waiting listsccontinuing to fall, alongside support for children’s services and hospice carecwithin our community. These improvements are part of a broader effort to ensure that people across the Forest — from young families to older residentsc— feel supported and valued. With schools having now broken up for summer, there are plenty of summercactivities happening across the Forest of Dean. The Family Fun Zone at Hartpury International Horse Trials on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th August, will be a highlight.

The Forest of Dean is a fantastic place to spend our summers, and there are events every week from summer fireworks to children’s crafting and live music. There’s something for everyone. I know childcare is a huge challenge for so many of you during the summer holidays, many of you will be patching together childcare to get you through. There are several free and paid holiday clubs available. Sportily are offering holiday clubs and free pop-up sporting clubs. For a more structured options, Prostars are holding regular holiday clubs that offer full-day options. For more information, please be sure to contact these organisations directly. I recently held a roundtable discussion with nearly 40 SENCos and school leaders representing schools across the Forest. I heard the raw, and honest reality of what these professionals are experiencing day in, day out. It is clear that they desperately need support and meaningful change, so no child is left behind. This is a system that is interwoven with multiple disciplines across our community and isn’t working the way it needs to, following years of under investment. I am grateful for all that attended the roundtable, it's important to hear what schools are experiencing on the ground every day. I’ll be taking the messages from that meeting directly to Ministers. I am holding a second roundtable with local families and carers; I want to understand the entire story. The voices of people directly affected must be heard. I am dedicated to ensuring the education system here in the Forest is one that is well supported to ensure staff are equipped and able to provide an education and environment that all our children rightfully deserve. All families and individuals directly impacted by the SEND system here in the Forest are invited to attend the roundtable discussion on August 20. For further information on this event, or assistance on anything else, please do contact me on [email protected].

I look forward to meeting so many of you over the summer and engage in the events and opportunities this wonderful place we call home, has on offer.