Dear friend,

I hope you’re keeping well. Thank you to everyone who came to my most recent public advice surgery in the Whitgift Centre. My next public advice surgery is on Friday 13 December from 10:00 – 12:00 at Age UK Croydon, 81 Brigstock Road. Please keep an eye on my social media channels for further advice surgeries in the New Year.

Here is an overview of what I have been up to in Croydon and beyond over the last few weeks. As ever, I am here if you want to get in touch with any problems or issues, or if you want to pass on your views or ideas. Do get in touch. My email is [email protected]

Honouring Croydon’s Armed Forces

Ahead of Remembrance Sunday, it was lovely to be back at Braithwaite Hall for the Annual Veterans’ Lunch, celebrating our veteran community in Croydon and beyond. We were the first borough to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, and with almost six thousand veterans living in Croydon, I am so proud to have a strong forces community in my home town.

It was an honour to place a poppy in the Constituency Garden of Remembrance in Parliament, Over the years, the British people have accumulated a huge debt to veterans and their loved ones. From fighting world wars to their vital role at the forefront of the Covid-19 pandemic, service men and women have seen our nation through crisis after crisis.

📸 Brad Merrett

On Remembrance Sunday, as a nation we fell silent to remember those who fought for our country and our freedom, and who paid the ultimate sacrifice. It was a privilege to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph in Croydon during the Remembrance Sunday service, reflecting on the countless lives forever impacted by conflict.

Remembering the victims of Croydon’s tram crash

The 9th of November marked eight years since the horrific tram crash at Sandilands. On the anniversary, I joined the families of those lost at the annual memorial service in New Addington. The grief continues to weigh heavily on our community and we will never forget those who are no longer with us.

Meeting our future leaders in Parliament

It was a pleasure as always to meet with some of my youngest constituents to discuss everything that happens in the House of Commons and the role of an MP. Thank you to the staff and pupils at Al Khair for such a lively and passionate discussion in Westminster Hall after their tour of the Houses of Parliament. Meeting with children and young people is one of the many highlights of my job. If you would like to arrange a tour of Parliament for your school, Scouts or Guides group, or if you are part of a volunteer group or community organisation, or if you would like me to come and visit you, please do get in touch with me. My email is [email protected]

Meeting with community-led initiatives in Broad Green

Lovely to pop along to the Big Local Broad Green in Croydon earlier this month to meet the team and see their great plans including a brand-new coffee shop and community space on London Road, as well as their plans for hosting community groups in their Hub behind Centrale. The Big Local Broad Green partnership is a community-led initiative focused on making a lasting positive difference to our local area. They aim to empower residents, support local projects, and improve facilities and services through various programs and activities. I share their vision that we can make Broad Green Village a vibrant and thriving place. Its people – young and old, are connected, resilient to change and proud to live here.

Supporting those affected by dementia

A great afternoon spent at the launch of Croydon’s third dementia cafe at St Barnabas Worship Centre at Croydon University Hospital. I am thrilled to see this expansion of the Dementia Cafe network to Croydon University Hospital. This growth is a testament to the need for such supportive environments and the dedication of the charity in addressing this community need.

There are currently estimated to be over 55 million people worldwide living with dementia, and a new case of dementia arises somewhere in the world every 3 seconds. However, up to three quarters of those with dementia worldwide have not received a diagnosis. There is a lot we need to do at a local and national level to support those with dementia, their loved ones and the people who look after them. I believe everyone should have access to high quality care that supports choice and control, and enables people to live independent, dignified lives, including people living with dementia.

Get down to Arena and support our local football community for women and girls

A joy as always to be able to get down to Croydon Arena and support Croydon Women’s FC. A brilliant performance from the Trams despite a disappointing result. You can find their fixtures here. Please come down and show your support if you can – the team is a jewel in our Croydon crown: a real grassroots team. I’m so proud to be the honorary president of this great club.

Holding Croydon Housing Association to account

I am grateful to have met with residents at Raleigh House, alongside local councillors Janet Campbell and Stuart King, to hear directly about the challenges they have been facing. I’m appalled by the issues they shared with me – from broken security doors and gates, to faulty intercoms, unsafe windows, rough sleepers in communal spaces, lack of cleaning, and broken boilers. I have asked the Chief Executive of Hexagon Housing Association to come to Raleigh House for a meeting with residents and to see for themselves what work must be done. Residents deserve to see a timetable of the work needed to resolve these issues and I will be pressing for that on their behalf. I’m determined to make sure these issues are addressed. If you have further concerns or want to get in touch, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected]

Four years since the death of Sergeant Matt Ratana

It was deeply moving to visit the newly unveiled memorial in honour of Sgt Matiu Ratana, 54, who was murdered in Croydon’s custody suit in September 2020. Matt had served as a police officer for almost 30 years when he was killed on duty. I am so proud to work with Croydon Police and with the

to ensure his legacy lives on.

And finally…

A very interesting morning spent at Stanley Arts talking with residents about how we can tackle the climate crisis through arts and culture. I especially loved the dance performance by Birdgang Ltd.

Casework update

Since the election I have received 1,313 new pieces of casework. Over a third of enquiries were housing related, 13% were local government enquiries and 12% were immigration related. Some of the key themes were fly-tipping, ASB, homelessness and temporary accommodation. Despite this being a very busy time, I have already had some positive casework outcomes.

A young gentleman who works in the care industry was not paid his wages for two months. His landlord was going to evict him because he was in rent arrears. I wrote to his employer and within nine days he was paid his wages in full and avoided being evicted from his home.

A lady with two small children was made homeless because her landlord wanted to refurbish the property and sell it. Thanks to my intervention with Croydon Council, she and her children have now been successfully rehoused.

An elderly gentleman was incorrectly charged by a private parking company for not having a permit, despite having his permit on view. I was able to get the parking company to reverse the fine.

Finally, a private hire driver was concerned because his PCO badge was about to expire, which would mean that he would not be able to work. After I contacted TFL, his PCO badge was renewed in a timely manner which meant he could return to work.

A huge thanks must go to my small team for all their hard work, and their continued ability to get results. If there is anything I can do as your MP to support you, or if you know someone who needs help, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. My team and I are always on hand to offer any advice and support that we can offer. If you think I can help, please email me at [email protected]