Lift Trinity School-Based Nursery
Local parents have told me time and time again how expensive childcare is and the impact this has on their ability to get back to work. So, I wrote to local schools asking them to join me in a bid for a new Best Start nursery in our community. This month, Lift Trinity in Bounds Green opened theirs!
It was delightful to visit this morning and see the children having such a wonderful time, singing songs, painting, playing, and building relationships with each other. Thanks to these nurseries and other fantastic Labour childcare policies, the average family is saving £8000 per child.
If you need more information about local services,
Alexandra Gate Visit
I received a lovely tour of the Alexandra Gate Estate in Wood Green by housing association, L&Q. I had the opportunity to stop and speak to some of its fantastic residents, who told me how much they love living there. The visit was a good chance to build a better relationship with L&Q in order to better serve residents, who I know have struggled with issues with service charges and repairs.
Far too many leaseholders have faced unfair costs, poor transparency and an imbalance of power that has left people feeling trapped in their own homes. In the summer, I hosted a meeting between residents from this estate and the housing association to facilitate resolutions, and I was glad to follow up by touring the estate.
We Are Chickenshed
I had an amazing time at Chickenshed Theatre’s annual ‘We Are Chickenshed’ performance, where we celebrated the extraordinary talent, creativity and dedication of its members.
The evening brought together hundreds of performers of all ages in a series of inspiring performances, showcasing Chickenshed’s unique commitment to inclusion, creativity and community. It was also wonderful to welcome Choirmaster Gareth Malone and recognise the important role that the arts can play in education, helping young people to build confidence, develop new skills, and express themselves.
My thanks go to everyone at Chickenshed for another outstanding production. We are incredibly fortunate to have such an inspiring organisation in our community, enriching the lives of so many people through the performing arts, and I look forward to coming back soon.
Rubbish Collection in Haringey Parks
Please read the letter below from me and my fellow Haringey MPs.
Armed Forces Day
It was an absolute privilege to mark Armed Forces Day at events in both Enfield and Haringey over the weekend. The contribution of all our armed forces personnel cannot go unnoticed, and it was a honour to remember and recognise their sacrifice.
Both events involved fantastic parades and shows of support, followed by speeches to the community. We must remain committed to ensuring that serving personnel, veterans, military families and the bereaved are treated fairly and recognised for the contribution they make.
Thank you for your courage and commitment on this and every Armed Forces Day.
Visit to Brookwater House Care Home
It was an absolute pleasure to visit Brookwater House Care Home and spend time with both residents and staff for Care Home Open Week. Care Home Open Week is an important opportunity to recognise the vital contribution of the social care sector, hear directly from those working in care, and celebrate the positive impact care homes have on residents, families, and the wider community.
During the visit, I saw firsthand the range of activities, social events, and support on offer, helping residents remain active, engaged, and connected while feeling safe and at home.
I received a very warm welcome from everyone at the home and was even pleased to join in on a birthday celebration during the visit! The dedication, compassion, and professionalism shown by the staff were clear to see, and I would like to thank them for the outstanding care they provide every day.
The RecordShop
It was fantastic to visit The Record Shop in Wood Green to meet both Mary and Aaron.
By offering free studio time to young people looking to pursue music, this local studio provides opportunity and a space to grow for talented musicians in our area.
As Chair of the APPG for Music Education, it was great to get stuck in. Here’s hoping I’ll be invited back to record an album…
Risley Avenue Breakfast Club
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.