Summer Recess got off to a busy start last week, as I met several local businesses, organisations and charities here in Swindon, as well as holding two local advice surgeries at my offices in Wood Street, where I met with residents to discuss a variety of both local and national issues.

I was delighted to attend a plaque unveiling at Swindon Women’s Aid last Thursday, to honour the late Tony Martin, who helped to run the Zurich Community Trust, inspiring companies and individuals to volunteer to help local charities via the Involve Swindon initiative and other Programmes. Tony was positive, enthusiastic and had a great sense of humour. He loved our town and the people in it and I was proud to be a friend. I was delighted to be with Olwen Kelly of Swindon Women’s Aid and our High Sheriff, Nicky Alberry, and I was honoured to help unveil the plaque with Tony’s sister, Annie.

Many of us have learned about the effects of plastic waste from programmes like The Blue Planet, so I was pleased to hear that plastic bag sales in England’s ‘big seven’ supermarkets have dropped by 86 per cent. The number of carrier bags being used has reduced by nine billion following the introduction of the 5p carrier bag charge in 2015 and this year, the Government has banned microbeads, which were causing harm to marine life, as part of an ambitious 25-year plan for the environment.

I am keen to support local environmental groups and initiatives and regularly meet with SCAN (Swindon Climate Action Network) to discuss how I can support their work to raise awareness locally. Last week, I met with a member of the Swindon Refill team to add my support to a new campaign aimed at tackling the growing tide of plastic waste. Swindon Refill will encourage cafes, small businesses and anywhere with a tap to allow passers-by to refill their bottles for free. I look forward to working closely with Swindon Refill as the campaign gets underway.

Another project I am working closely with is the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy. The QCC is working to save one of the world’s most important natural habitats, forests, by creating a network of forest conservation projects.

I am calling for schools and community groups in South Swindon who are interested in planting a tree as part of the project to come forward. I will be receiving five saplings of about 40-60cm in height in October. The tree species will be one hazel, two silver birch and two rowan trees. The trees are all UK sourced and grown and can be expected to reach 12-25m in height. Full instructions will be sent out with the trees.

If you are a local school or community group and you have an area suitable for trees, please get in touch with me as soon as possible.

Finally, Care Minister Carol Dinenage has announced that the Government will invest nearly £4.5million in programmes to refer patients to local voluntary and community services such as walking clubs, gardening and arts activities. The practice, known as “social prescribing”, aims to improve patients’ quality of life, health and well-being, as well as reducing demand on the NHS. I welcome this news, which will also have a positive impact on my local campaign to tackle loneliness in the town.

Here in Swindon, we are fortunate to have a number of charities and groups who are working hard to improve the health and wellbeing of local people, such as TWIGS (Therapeutic Work in Gardening in Swindon) who support those experiencing mental health problems. The charity was set up in 1997 by Pride of Swindon winner Anne Billingham, who realised the therapeutic benefits that working with nature could bring.