Dear Friends,

Many thanks for taking the time to look at my latest newsletter for March 2024.

I hope you enjoy this update on some of the work I have been doing in Erith and Thamesmead and in Parliament over the last month.

As ever, if you want to get in touch, don’t hesitate to contact me using the email address: abena.oppongasare.mp@parliament.uk

Abena

Responding to the Extending DLR to Thamesmead Consultation

This month, I submitted my response to the Transport for London (TfL) consultation on extending the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead.

There is a clear consensus: we need #NextStopThamesmead now. Sign up to join my campaign via this link here.

#LetGirlsPlay football sessions for International Women’s Day

Friday 8^th March 2024 marked the third annual #LetGirlsPlay football event across England. I was delighted to visit two schools in Erith and Thamesmead that took part, St Thomas A Becket Primary School and De Lucy Primary School.

Walkabout with Superintendent Simon Corbin

I was pleased to be able to join the London Metropolitan Police Superintendent for the London Borough of Bexley, Simon Corbin, and his colleagues for a walkabout around Thamesmead to discuss the great work the local team is doing to keep residents safe.

My Work in Parliament

At the beginning of the month, the Government announced the Spring Budget amidst the ongoing Cost of Living Crisis.

At Health and Social Care Questions, I raised the pressing issue of record waiting lists for gynaecological treatment, with the number of women waiting tripling since 2012. You can watch my question here or read it here.

One Voice Roundtable

I spoke with health professionals and charities at Royal College of Midwives One Voice round table about how maternal outcomes must improve.

One of the 100 Women in Westminster

It was an honour to be recognised as one of the hundred women making a difference, and to be selected amongst other female trailblazers. You can read more about this event here.

Furthermore:

• Black Health Inequalities Summit Reception – Pleased to attend this reception organised by the Caribbean & African Health Network (CAHN) to discuss community approaches to tackling health inequalities.
• Women’s Health Roundtable with Women’s Magazines – Good to join Wired, Glamour and Vogue Magazines this month, alongside Wes Streeting MP, to discuss how we close the UK’s Gender Health Gap.
• International Women’s Day event with Marsha De Cordova MP
• APPG for Ethnic Minority Business Owners
• Endometriosis Awareness Month – It’s important to pay tribute to the great work done by charities on this issue like Endometriosis UK.
• Black Maternal Health Conference – I delivered the Keynote speech at this event hosted by the Motherhood Group.
• My visit with Anneliese Dodds MP – We met with the Motherhood Group’s community hub to hear from new mothers directly.
• Parliamentary debate on Health and Wellbeing services in Essex.
• Eating Disorders Awareness Week – I spoke about how over a million people in the UK are living with an eating disorder, sadly it is the cause of more loss of life than any other mental health condition.
• Black Men and the Mental Health Act – I spoke at this symposium focused on how Black Men are disproportionately detained under the Mental Health Act.
• Ramadan Mubarak – Wishing everyone celebrating the holy month of Ramadan a blessed, healthy and happy year ahead.
• St Patrick’s Day – Happy St Patrick’s Day to everyone celebrating in Erith and Thamesmead, Ireland and around the world.

Stay updated on social media

For regular updates on my activities, follow me on Twitter (@abenaopp), Facebook (Abena Oppong-Asare MP, Erith and Thamesmead), and Instagram (abena.oppongasare.mp).

You can also sign up to my digital newsletter at www.abenaoppongasare.com/get_in_touch