Inspired by those in our community

I’M always inspired when I meet people doing brilliant things for our community. That’s one of the best bits of being involved in local campaigning. In the past couple of weeks, I’ve met two groups of people who really stand out.

The first group is at the Ron Smith Pavilion Food Pantry in Springbank. As the cost-of-living crisis hits home, they’re doing so much to bring relief to hard-pressed families.

So it’s a huge thank you to Faith and the team. After our local declaration of a local cost-of-living emergency, we’ve found £60,000 to support the food network. It’s likely more will be needed in future.

I met the second group of inspiring people at the Butterfly Garden in Bamfurlong Lane.

Chris Evans and the team run a wonderful place that educates, provides therapy and generally spreads joy. Keep up the good work, Chris.

At the other end of the scale, being a local representative brings challenges. Just a few days ago I was approached by somebody in Lynworth who recognised me and said: “I’ve just been made homeless. What should I do?”

I was on foot, so I couldn’t be much help in getting him into town.

He had only a few pounds left in his pocket.

The best I could do was help him with his bus journey and direct him to the right council services.

We’re building new affordable houses in Cheltenham as part of our £180 million investment in housing, but the scale of the housing crisis and cost-of-living crisis will be too much for too many people.

That’s because interest rates are up. Inflation is heading for 13 per cent. Healthcare waiting times are increasing. Taxes are already up. This country is in a pickle.

The Liberal Democrats have called for the coming energy bill rise to be cancelled, funded by a windfall tax on profiteering energy companies.

Meanwhile, the Conservative leadership roadshow arrives in town today, August 11.

They’re navel-gazing while the country panics.

But whoever wins, immediate action will be needed to help thousands of people in our town who have no idea how they’ll get through this winter.