This summer, I hosted the first ever Summer Work Experience Programme for students in Chingford and Woodford Green.
Over the week, the students split their time between Parliament and the constituency, gaining first‑hand insight into the day‑to‑day work of a Member of Parliament on both a local and national level. Their programme included joining APPG evidence sessions, attending parliamentary drop‑ins, participating in workshops at the think tank, the Centre for Social Justice, and watching Prime Minister’s Questions.
I was also delighted that the students were able to listen to my intervention in the Opposition Day Debate on summer jobs from the Commons gallery, seeing parliamentary proceedings up close and how debates can have a direct impact on people’s daily lives. Watch my full intervention here: Parliamentlive.tv - House of Commons (14:35:07).
In the constituency, students volunteered at the Highams Park Food Hub, visited Haven House Children’s Hospice, and helped at my coffee morning at the Royal Legion, seeing how casework and community engagement shape an MP’s work.
Thank you to the brilliant students who joined my first Summer Work Experience Programme. It is inspiring to see young people so engaged in public service, and I wish them every success in the future.
Applications for next year’s programme will open soon.