During Parliamentary recess, Emma has welcomed the opportunity to be back in the constituency full time. Over the last couple of weeks Emma has been able to catch up on some local activity. She has been particularly delighted to see for herself some of the artistic and dramatic talent being encouraged in the young people in her constituency.
Emma was deligh
ted to be invited to the STAMP (South Tyneside Academy for Musical Performance) Summer School and watch the children as they were rehearsing for Fame Jr. She had the opportunity to chat with the youngsters and hear from them how they were putting together this shorter version of the musical Fame and looking forward to performing it for their family and friends.
Emma said ‘It was a pleasure to meet the children – their enthusiasm and energy was infectious and I was amazed by their talent and confidence. STAMP is doing a great job in building the young people’s self-confidence as well as developing their dramatic talents’. Christopher Perry from STAMP said, ‘It was really great to have Emma along, and it’s good to know that she takes an interest and is willing to take time out of her schedule to come along and see us’.
Talent was also in great supply when Emma visited Ocean Arts. Ocean Arts, a charity established in 2011, supports people with learning disabilities. Emma was delighted to have a peek preview of their art exhibition commemorating World War 1. The art work, produced by members of the group
, will be displayed in the Customs House from 13th August. Emma had the privilege of meeting with the individual artists and hearing about what the paintings meant to them and how much Ocean Arts is doing to build their confidence and self-esteem. Emma said, ‘Ocean Arts is doing a fantastic job supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our community, and giving them the opportunity to develop and express themselves. It is wonderful that members have been involved in producing this fantastic exhibition which will be a key component of the World War 1 commemorations in the town’.
These are just two of the many groups and organisations Emma has been pleased to visit. She sees her link with the community as the most important part of her role as an MP which is why she takes every opportunity she can to visit community groups, schools, residential homes, businesses and other institutions to meet on a one to one basis with her constituents.