Hear to Help Over the summer recess – a time when the House of Commons winds down, allowing MPs the vital time to work from their constituencies – I have been holding surgeries, meeting constituents, attending events across Renfrewshire, as well as visiting local organisations to hear about the work they do.

The most recent visit was to the Bridge of Weir Community Café which hosts a monthly ‘Hear to Help’ session that is ran by Action on Hearing Loss Scotland.

Since being elected as the new MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, I have been struck by the outstanding work that so many charitable and voluntary organisations do across Renfrewshire – ‘Hear to Help’ was certainly no exception.

I spoke with a Hear to Help volunteer, George Wilmhurt, who was trained by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s audiology department and provides basic hearing aid maintenance – such as cleaning the devices, changing their batteries or tubing.

During my visit George told me about how hearing loss affects people’s lives and how it can impact on their communication and relationships with family, friends and carers. ­­­ Clearly the support offered by the Hear to Help volunteers can make the difference between someone persevering with their NHS hearing aid and being able to follow conversations more clearly or, sadly, putting it in a drawer and continuing to struggle.

Having Hear to Help available in the heart of Renfrewshire’s communities is vital for NHS hearing aid users to get the basic support they need and it makes a world of difference to their everyday lives – and the volunteers who facilitate that should be commended for it.

I’m Here to Help Since being elected in May I have responded to over 2,000 emails and letters, held 12 advice surgeries, taken on more than 90 cases on behalf of my constituents and attended over 50 engagements, whilst setting up my constituency office and employing my constituency office team.

I recently published my finalised schedule of 12 advice surgeries which will take place across Paisley and Renfrewshire North each month – as can be seen in the timetable printed here.

I believe that my comprehensive surgery schedule will complement the open-door policy of my constituency office, ensuring that I am accessible to the very people that I was elected to represent.

If you are unable to attend one of my constituency surgeries, please do not hesitate to contact me at gavin.newlands.mp@parliament.uk or call my office on 0141 378 0600.