Last week in the House of Commons, I had the welcome opportunity to highlight the work of local charities in delivering important services for some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
I pressed the Government to continue the work I have been committed to, when serving as Prime Minister and as your local MP, in making sure these vital organisations are supported.
It is my experience that local voluntary and charitable organisations can play an effective and efficient role in delivering public services for local communities.
During my question to the Minister for the Cabinet Office, I specifically mentioned the work of Just the Job Environmental Enterprises in Richmond, Yatton House Society in Great Ayton, Northdale Horticulture and Chopsticks in Northallerton.
All four provide valuable services for adults and young people with complex disabilities and learning difficulties.
I was pleased to hear the Minister, Darren Jones, acknowledge the importance of these charities in delivering real change in people’s lives – particularly the vulnerable.
Throughout my time as your MP I have followed and supported the work of these charities. I have seen them in action on multiple occasions and encouraged them to develop their services as the need for them has grown.
I remember a visit to Yatton House, 11 years ago, before I was first elected as your representative, where I witnessed first-hand the commitment of the staff and volunteers to providing a fulfilling work experience for adults with learning disabilities.
I have returned on many occasions since, most notably last year when the last phase of the centre’s five-year multi-phase refurbishment was completed and I had the privilege of performing the official opening ceremony. I recalled I had done the same to mark the completion of the first phase back in 2019.
It has been a similar story of development at the other charities I mentioned in the House last week.
Northdale Horticulture has grown – literally and metaphorically – developing the services it provides in Northallerton. If you haven’t checked out the range of plants for sale at its Yafforth Road base, I would urge you to do so. It rivals what you might find in any commercial garden centre.
Chopsticks has also developed its services to the public. A fire is never lit in the Sunak household without their kindling but it also provides a range of wood and garden-related services from its Thurston Road depot – opened by my predecessor Lord Hague back in 2008.
I am looking forward to making a return visit to Just the Job in Richmond to hear more about their ambitious Big Green Build Project. The charity has been so successful in providing work-based activities for individuals requiring support to achieve their full potential that it needs bigger premises.
All these charities – and there are many others in our area – do amazing work in our communities and I will continue to do anything I can to support them.
