Risley Avenue Breakfast Club

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I visited Risley Avenue Primary School to see its new government-funded free breakfast club, which is helping to give children a positive start to the school day while supporting families with the cost of living.

The school has worked in partnership with the charity Magic Breakfast for several years to provide nutritious breakfasts and enrichment activities for pupils, creating a welcoming and supportive environment before lessons begin. Thanks to new funding through the Best Start free breakfast clubs programme, the club is now available free of charge to all families, helping to remove barriers to access and reduce stigma.

At the drop off, I met Idris, a working parent who previously couldn’t afford the cost of the club. He told me that, now, he can get to work on time and see his kids happy, energised, and enjoying a positive start to the day.

It was fantastic to see how the Risley Avenue Primary School community continues to place community support and children’s wellbeing at the heart of its work, providing not just education, but a wider network of care for local families.

Watch the video here!

Celebrating North Middlesex Uni Hospital

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This post is dedicated to the wonderful NHS team at North Middlesex University Hospital and all their hard work.

To celebrate International Nurses Day, I visited the North Mid to meet some of their fantastic nursing team on an inpatient ward and in the A&E department.

It was lovely to see the kindness, compassion, and care they gave to patients, as well as the organisation and planning that goes into running a hospital smoothly.

Thank you to each and every incredible nurse across Southgate & Wood Green.

Southgate Celebrates Festival

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Let’s celebrate Southgate!

It was wonderful to join Southgate District Civic Voice at their celebratory festival in Southgate’s Pocket Park.

This fantastic community event brought residents together through art, culture, and creativity and offered free workshops for all ages. It was wonderful to see so many people from across the community coming together to celebrate local talent and enjoy such a vibrant and welcoming event. Initiatives like this play a vital role in strengthening community spirit and supporting Southgate’s cultural life.

Well done Southgate District Civic Voice!

SEND Roundtable

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Today, I hosted a roundtable in Parliament to hear from the real experts on SEND: parents and teachers.

Wonderful to be joined by the Minister for School Standards, Georgia Gould MP, who listened directly to headteachers and parents from Southgate and Wood Green on proposed reforms.

Thank you to everyone who attended and I look forward to following up on your concerns with the Department for Education. Your voices must be heard.

If you have SEND experience, please contribute to the consultation before it closes on the 18th of May: https://consult.education.gov.uk/…/send-reform-putting…/

Chickenshed: The Power of Co

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It was wonderful to attend Chickenshed’s fantastic event this week, The Power of Co, hosted at Mercer’s Hall.

It was great to discuss the importance of collaboration between charities and local stakeholders, and the positive impact this can have on communities.

We are very lucky to have Chickenshed here in Southgate and Wood Green, a true asset to our community!

Learn more about Chickenshed here

Meeting Huseyin from the New Southgate Food Centre

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What a pleasure to meet Huseyin Kaylan from the New Southgate Food Centre! Huseyin recently won the Allwyn Local Retail Champion Award to recognise his exceptional work supporting our local community.

In October, a young man was sadly a victim of a shooting near Huseyin’s shop. He acted immediately, offering first aid and support, saving the man’s life. New Southgate Food Centre was nominated by local residents and customers, with many noting his kindness and community spirit.

I am so pleased that Huseyin’s contribution to New Southgate is not going unnoticed, he is truly an asset to Southgate and Wood Green.

Congratulations Huseyin!

Visit to PureGym Southgate

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I have good news for gymgoers in Southgate and Wood Green, PureGym Southgate has had an amazing refurbishment.

It was wonderful to meet the team, including their fantastic manager, Sereen, and have a go on the new Hyrox equipment. It was great to see all the work they are doing to support the health and wellbeing of our community.

Read more about the gym here.

Here I am chasing my PB…

Southgate Rotary Club Centenary

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Tonight, we celebrated the wonderful achievements and contributions of Southgate Rotary Club at their 100th Anniversary Dinner.

Founded in 1925, Southgate Rotary Club has dedicated years to supporting local charities, like Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice and the Ruth Winston Centre, along with working to empower the next generation through community service.

Joined by Baroness Sharon Taylor of Stevenage, it was a pleasure to congratulate this year’s joint presidents, Meena Ali and Alok Agrawal, on their hard work supporting our community.

Congratulations on your centenary, Rotary Club of Southgate, London!

School-based Nurseries are coming to Southgate and Wood Green

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Good news for parents in Southgate & Wood Green!

We have just secured investment to open a Best Start school-based nursery at Earlham Primary School and Risley Avenue Primary School, so local families can benefit from accessible, affordable, high-quality early years education.

The Government has already cut childcare costs in half and saved the average family £8,000 per child. This will deliver better life chances for children and better work chances for parents.

You can find out more at www.beststartinlife.gov.uk