One of the most important parts of being your MP is making sure your voices are not only heard but acted upon. Whether I'm meeting residents on the doorstep, visiting local businesses, speaking with community groups or reading the emails that arrive in my inbox every day, your experiences shape the work I do both here in the Forest and in Westminster.

That's why I want to invite you to come along for a coffee and a chat.

If you live in or near Forthampton, I'll be hosting a drop-in Coffee Morning on Friday, August 7, from 10am until 12pm. These informal events are a great opportunity to raise local concerns, share your views on national issues, or simply tell me about the things that matter most to you and your family. The conversations we have help ensure that both local and national policies are shaped by the experiences of people here in the Forest of Dean.

Contact my office on 01594 540534, or email [email protected] and we'll add you manually.

Last week saw important progress on one of the issues I hear about most often: social care. Time and again, local families have shared with me how difficult it can be to access the support their loved ones need, and the pressures placed on unpaid carers who do so much behind the scenes. That's why I welcome the renewed commitment to tackle the long-standing challenges facing adult social care and to work across party lines to build a system that is fit for the future.

This is an issue that affects every generation, whether you're caring for an ageing parent today or thinking about the support you may need in years to come. The new ‘Big Conversation on Care’ gives everyone the opportunity to help shape the future of adult social care, and I would encourage anyone with experience of the system to take part. Your experiences matter, and they can help shape meaningful change. To have your say, visit https://caseycommission.co.uk/bigconversation.

We also saw significant announcements on education, with a renewed focus on giving young people the skills and opportunities they need to succeed. For the Forest of Dean, that means strengthening the links between education, technical training and the skilled jobs available in our area. Every young person should have access to high-quality routes into rewarding careers, whether that's through apprenticeships, technical qualifications or further education, without feeling they have to leave the Forest behind to achieve their ambitions.

I know from speaking with students, parents, teachers and local employers that investing in practical skills and creating clearer pathways into good local jobs will make a real difference to the next generation. When our young people have the opportunity to gain the skills employers need here in the Forest, we not only help them build successful futures, but also strengthen our local economy and communities.

Please do sign up for my Coffee Morning if you can and help ensure your voice shapes the decisions that affect both the Forest of Dean and the country.