LAST week started with one of my regular surgeries, listening to the experiences and concerns of people followed by meetings or events with business leaders, care home professionals and county council adoption services.

One of the highlights of my week was the lunch I had on Friday with residents of Plymouth Court in Headless Cross.

This is an interesting scheme offering first-class support to older people who wish to live independently but with help and services near at hand.

This is something that many older people tell me they want and something the Government is keen to support.

On Friday evening, I presented an award to Redditch United Girls Football Club.

It is always a pleasure to visit Julie Leroux and the rest of her group to present awards recognising the growing achievements of the football club. After all, it is undoubtedly one of the best-run, best-supported and fastest growing sports clubs I have seen.

Over the weekend, I visited Redditch Lions' town centre stall promoting sight awareness, the Talking Newspaper and Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Finally, I attended a ceremony marking the anniversary of the independence of Pakistan.

The event celebrated the common roots and heritage of the Pakistani community in Redditch and was inspirational.

It is a privilege to be able to be involved in such a wide range of issues across the town.

It is also vitally important.

Political figures must make themselves aware of views and issues across the widest possible range of their constituents' concerns and do their best to represent them.

I have represented constituent interests on the Astwood Bank incinerator, Winyates Green Triangle housing, fair funding for education and the Studley Bypass and I have been campaigning about the future of ophthalmology at the Alexandra Hospital.

I am delighted to see Redditch Council will be considering supporting the campaign on Monday.

I hope they will make their views clear that there should be no reduction in eye services at our hospital and, in fact, more investment is needed to improve facilities.