As the summer holidays draw to a close, I've been thinking about what opportunities we can offer young people her in Stafford.

We are one of the best-connected towns in the country, with incredible train connections to major cities like Birmingham, Manchester, and London, so it is crucial we capitalise on these to improve outcomes for young people.

I have been working hard to create chances for young people across the constituency this summer. 

Jobs Fair 

At the start of the summer, I co-hosted an incredible jobs fair with the DWP at Stafford College where over 250 jobseekers came through the doors to find new career opportunities, training programmes, and apprenticeships.

On the day there were 260 live jobs on offer, it was incredible to see one person be offered a job on the day too. 

I'm really passionate about bringing more jobs to the area and have been working closely with local employers and education providers to help make that happen.

There's real opportunity here in Stafford right now: GE Vernova is creating 400 new skilled jobs, Stafford College has just been named one of only four Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence Colleges in the country, and the Government is investing heavily into programmes and courses to help get young people into work.  

Stafford has so much to shout about in our own right.

That's what the jobs fair is all about – showing the absolutely incredible opportunities on offer to local job seekers and inspiring them to take their next step.

Youth Centre

You might have seen on Facebook recently that I have launched a campaign for a youth centre in Stafford town centre.

I think a place for young people to go and socialise with their friends is so important. 

I've spent the last 2 years talking to you all, so I know this is something you want too, especially young people!

Young people in Staffordshire have had it tough, they saw the third worst cuts to youth services in the country.

But I am working hard to turn the tide and to bring more opportunities to Stafford, Eccleshall and the villages to support our young people. 

Opening a youth centre will sit alongside the youth hub that I secured, where young people will be able to access wrap around support including helping them to find jobs, CV support and more.

This is about giving them the skills they need to succeed.

Summer School 

Before the Parliamentary recess, and the summer holidays, I hosted my annual summer school, and I must say, the students absolutely smashed it!

They created incredible high impact campaigns with presentations that absolutely blew me away! 

My Summer School is a way to enable young people aged 16-18 to learn more about a career in politics, develop new skills such as leadership, communication and campaigning, and to hear from a range of professionals who play a role in politics, from journalism to social action. 

The week is similar to mine as an MP with time being split between London and constituency.

During their time in London, they met with then Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, and Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood to get a deeper look at what role they play in the political landscape.

They also met local Conservative MP, Karen Bradley, to understand the work MPs do cross party, as well as members of the House of Lords.  

Young people are 20% of the population but 100% of its future, so we need to invest in them now, give them the support they need, and show them that they can succeed.