Recess periods are a welcome opportunity to work locally and I am very grateful to all the local businesses, charities, and constituents who took the time to meet with me during a very busy summer recess from parliament

I am always proud to represent East Renfrewshire, with its many vibrant and diverse communities and organisations, so it was a real pleasure to visit the National Autistic Society’s East Renfrewshire branch (above) as they launched their new resource library at the Market Place in Barrhead.

Their library is packed with excellent books for children and adults to help increase knowledge and understanding of autism. The National Autistic Society Scotland’s East Renfrewshire Branch will be hosting a peer support group at the Market Place every Wednesday from 10am to 12noon.

Another excellent local organisation I met during recess was NellyBoxes Baby Bank at who are operating from the ARC in Barrhead each Wednesday. This new group has already done a power of work providing baby clothes, baby formula, nappies and more.

NellyBoxes also donate a range of self-care boxes to people who experienced baby loss and I know how much this has meant to many people locally.

I also had the chance to meet with All Stars Netball Club at one of their training sessions. Pre-pandemic, the club was the largest junior netball club in Scotland.

During the pandemic they continued to train outdoors and they went on to win the Under 15 Scottish Youth Club Competition at the Emirates Arena. I was delighted to put on record the achievements of the club’s players and coaches in Westminster where I published an Early Day Motion celebrating the club’s recent successes.

Another great success was the outstanding Community Safety Family Fun Day which was hosted by Auchenback Active at the ARC over the summer which was both useful and highly enjoyable for all those in attendance.

Meanwhile, at the Bank, in Neilston, I visited the Menopause Café which has been set up by the Neilston Development Trust (NDT).

The aim of the Menopause Café is to bring people together who are experiencing the effects on menopause in an informal setting. It was great to hear so many people sharing their experiences of menopause over coffee, biscuits, and with more than a few laughs. I certainly felt the better for being there and I’m grateful to NDT for encouraging open conversations about menopause.

These are only some of the very many groups in our community who work so hard all year to make life better for all of us and I’m very glad to live and work in a community where people do so much for one another.

During Parliament’s summer recess my team and I have continued to work hard helping constituents in Barrhead, and across the whole of East Renfrewshire, with a wide range of issues. If you think I may be able to help you, please contact me on 0141 648 8822 or email kirsten.oswald.mp@parliament.uk.