Over the last few months, I have been speaking with you at events across Sheffield Central, through social media and our online form.

My question was, as your elected voice in Parliament, what should I be standing up for?

We spoke about what you think are the most pressing issues facing our country and our city.

It was encouraging to hear so many of you speak positively about Sheffield.

There was a strong sense of community in the conversations, with people praising our student population, the City of Sanctuary and community organisations, small businesses and vibrant hospitality sector.

Lots of you had positive things to say about the Kelham Island, Fargate, and Castlegate redevelopments, particularly the focus on active travel and green spaces.

You raised concerns about fairer taxes to fund local services, NHS pressures and mental health support, rising living costs, the need for affordable housing and fair renting, and protecting the environment. Thank you to everyone who contributed; your words will inform my work.

Though the events are now over, for now, there's still time to join the conversation by filling in the form.

Every month, I chair the Castlegate Partnership Board, which is overseeing the work taking place at the old Castle Market site, therefore, it is important for me to see how far the work is progressing. Wessex Archaeology gave me a tour of the ruins last month.

Eventually, the ruins will be integrated as part of the new Castlegate site for all to see, alongside a biodiverse green space and an events area. This is our heritage and regeneration going hand in hand.

I welcomed constituents from Sheffield Central for a tour around Parliament and a follow-up Q&A session. There were some interesting and thoughtful questions and lots to take forward. Thanks to everyone who came to see me and I hope the tour was special.

Historic England and schools in Sheffield Central came together to create art inspired by what Sheffield means to them, in 'Know Your Place', a project led by Create Sheffield. There were some wonderful representations of industry, home and heart.

It was lovely to meet Biscuit at RSPCA Attercliffe, who are serving all of Sheffield in their mission. Biscuit needs a lot of love and the dedicated staff and volunteers at the RSPCA give him all the support he needs while he waits for a new owner.

Grow, in Sheffield, uses nature to unlock potential in vulnerable and marginalised young people.

I was given a tour of their training gardens, where I met people learning new skills to support future employability. A beautiful partnership of the benefits of nature and youth participation.

I was surprised to see that a further application for a McDonald’s drive-thru at the same location has been submitted, given that the original proposal was refused. My constituents’ views and objections remain unchanged, and I have therefore submitted another objection.

Read it here.

Sheffield has been allocated £1.5m to support vulnerable people and families affected by homelessness this winter. This includes immediate help for children and families in temporary accommodation, an uplift for the voluntary and community sector and funds towards drug and alcohol treatment.

Following years of reduced investment in community support, I’m really glad to secure this.

I’ve met with many cafes, pubs, clubs, and restaurants from across Sheffield Central who shared their concerns about the challenges facing our hospitality sector.

As part of a cross-party effort, we’ve written to the Chancellor calling on the Treasury to protect and support this vital industry in the upcoming Budget.

Read it here.

Being a voice for Sheffield’s small businesses is one of the greatest privileges of this job. It was fantastic to welcome one of those voices to Parliament.

Kitti from The Gamers Guide Cafe came to speak with Rachel Reeves, championing the small business community in our city and addressing the issues that she, along with other small business owners, are facing.

It was lovely to see Ian from Sheffield Music Hub and Harmony Works at the ‘Role of Music Hubs’ at Parliament!

Music Hubs are central to nurturing creativity in young people. Nowhere is this more true than in Sheffield, home to many musical legends. After visiting the site for Harmony Works earlier this year, I’m really excited to see it inspire the next generation.

The Discover Sheffield Freshers Market provided a fantastic chance to meet new students, academics and staff at The University of Sheffield. I'm looking forward to my next UoS Student Surgery on 24 October.

As ever, it was wonderful to meet likeminded people working towards happier communities, equal justice and lasting peace at Labour Conference.

Thank you to Gambling with Lives for inviting me to speak on gambling harms and the risks facing students; to HEPI and the NUS for the chance to discuss the reintroduction of maintenance grants; and to the Labour Muslim Network for hosting me alongside Husam Zumlot and Hamish Falconer to talk about Gaza and our work in Parliament for peace.

It's great news that the second cohort of students from Gaza have arrived in the UK.

I met with the lovely Yara, our University of Sheffield scholarship student.

Whilst initially very overwhelmed, she is excited to start her studies. An intelligent and strong young woman who is keen in the future to work in international development to support women and girls.

There is still some way to go until all students are evacuated. The ceasefire is a significant chance for peace, but it doesn’t remove the difficulty for remaining students like Manar, who are being asked to make the impossible decision to evacuate and pursue their education while leaving their young children behind. We cannot allow bureaucratic hurdles to stand in the way of compassion, nor should we abandon students and their families, whose lives and futures hang in the balance. I wrote to the Foreign Secretary asking for urgent action.

I met with the Environment Officer for the Diocese in Sheffield to discuss their commitment to zero carbon emissions by 2030.

76 of the 197 churches are already award-winning ‘Eco Churches’, including 'Eco Gold' church St Mark's in Broomhill, as they work towards another eco award by collaborating with civic leaders and other faith groups.

The Emerging Leaders Programme exists to empower and support leaders from global majority communities in Sheffield, and it was a privilege to be at its official launch. It was inspiring to hear people share their stories and to spend time with those who are driving meaningful change across Sheffield.

Keeping museums free, enabling our city to share its story, to celebrate its art, culture, heritage, to accelerate learning and fire children’s imaginations: this is Sheffield Museums.

Earlier this year, I had the honour to visit Weston Park Museum for the first time as an MP representing Sheffield Central and I’m so proud to say that, as part of the Museum Renewal Fund, they have been awarded £708,064 to carry on their mission.

It was welcome news when I heard about securing funding for Sheffield to help people who would like to get into work, whether they’re experiencing social isolation, obstacles relating to mental health or low access to skill development. £10 million is coming to South Yorkshire to help. 

Sheffield City Council is running a consultation as part of the Castlegate redevelopment and they are proposing a few changes that seek to improve connectivity in the city, through active travel.

I encourage anyone to engage with the consultation as all feedback can help shape the future of this project.

Today, I put forward an amendment to the Mental Health Bill proposing that community treatment orders last no longer than 12 months, unless:

*The patient or their nominated person is consulted;

*A comprehensive review evaluates the necessity of the CTO;

*A registered psychiatrist is consulted and written evidence is provided.

Unfortunately, the amendment wasn't called to a vote, but I will continue to highlight the need for the patient voice in mental health provision.