I hope you all had a pleasant summer break and enjoyed the warm weather. I was pleased to join in with some of the summer activities taking place locally. In my last column, you may remember me mentioning the Summer Reading Challenge. The Challenge was aimed at children to encourage them to read and learn over the summer break. The theme of this year’s challenge was the ‘Gadgeteers.’ The characters used their curiosity and wonder to understand the science behind a whole range of interests from fashion and technology to cooking and music. I was invited to join in with the Summer Reading Challenge at Shepshed Library recently, where the National Space Centre in Leicester put on a very special interactive talk to local children about how gadgets are used to get into space and how they are used in space. It was wonderful to see so many children there, all of whom were fascinated by the display! I also loved meeting the staff and volunteers at Shepshed Library who helped to make it a warm and welcoming place to visit. The Library has a number of activities for all ages all year round, so it is well worth visiting their website for more information: https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/libraries/find-a-library/shepshed-library
I also enjoyed my recent trip to the Shepshed Learning Centre, which is an alternative education provision based in the town. The Shepshed Learning Centre helps vulnerable students engage within an educational environment and helps all those who are struggling in mainstream education or those who are missing education altogether. This was a particularly interesting visit for me; regular readers will know that one of my key priorities as your MP is to promote skills locally and ensure that everybody, no matter who they are, has the chance to succeed in life. It was nice to meet the team who were passionate about ensuring that all students have an opportunity to succeed.
Talking of local people succeeding in their careers, it was a pleasure to meet some trainees at Persimmon Homes’ Garendon Park site recently. Once completed, the site will provide mixed housing opportunities for the local community for many years. The trainees have all commenced new roles with the company including utility co-ordinator, graduate planner and a placement on the Company’s graduate programme. These appointments coincide with Persimmon Homes Target 50 initiative which is an ambition to recruit 50 female apprentices or technical trainees into construction-related roles this year. It was a real privilege to meet Jasmine, Ester and Stella and to hear more about the roles they will be undertaking. The construction industry is important to our country and one that many young people could build successful careers.
Finally, I would like to make residents aware of my Business Club which I run locally. It’s free to join, and I run events such as business breakfasts with guest speakers. I also send business e-newsletters which contains information that may be useful to local businesses. If you would like to sign up, you can do so here: https://www.janehunt.uk/loughborough-constituency-business-club
As ever, if I can be of any assistance on any matter, please do not hesitate to get in touch.