One of the things I enjoy most about parliamentary recess is the opportunity it gives me to spend more time in the Forest of Dean, meeting constituents face-to-face and, importantly, meeting some of the people my team and I have been able to help.

Recently, a young military family from the Forest of Dean contacted my office after travelling to America and encountering difficulties at border control, which meant they were unable to return home to the UK.

They were able to travel to stay with family in the Netherlands but were still unable to make their journey home.

My team worked with Sofie and Ben and contacted the UK Ambassador to the Netherlands to help secure an emergency travel document. Thankfully, this meant they were able to return safely to their home here in the Forest of Dean.

These cases can be incredibly stressful for families, particularly when they are abroad and unsure of what to do next. I was therefore delighted to catch up with Sofie and Ben just last week and, after working with them on their case, finally have the opportunity to meet them and their son in person.

I was also pleased this week to meet another constituent whom my office had supported. They have a learning disability and live in supported residential accommodation, but an ongoing dispute had left them facing the possibility of eviction.

After writing to the relevant authorities and pursuing the case on their behalf, we secured a long-term placement arrangement and resolved the issue.

I was grateful to meet them in person and to hear first-hand what the outcome has meant to them.

Alongside casework, recess also gives me the chance to visit organisations and services that are so important to people across our community. I was very generously welcomed to the Princess Royal Bristol Surgical Centre at Southmead Hospital, where I had the opportunity to observe Mr Damian Clark, Trauma and Orthopaedic Consultant, at work.

I know how many people across the Forest of Dean rely on the excellent work of staff at Southmead, so it was particularly valuable to see first-hand the developments taking place at the Surgical Centre.

The Centre has significantly increased theatre capacity since opening almost 12 months ago, with impressive progress in surgical output and a positive impact on patients. There is clearly much that can be learned from this model and, where possible, replicated elsewhere.

I am grateful to everyone who made the visit so insightful and to all the staff I met during my time there.

Recess is a valuable opportunity to get out from Westminster and spend time with the people I represent. Whether that means helping a family return home safely, supporting a constituent facing uncertainty over their accommodation, or visiting the services our community relies upon, I am always pleased to be back in the Forest and getting on with the job of representing it.

If you, a family member or a friend need help with an issue, please contact my office at [email protected].