Mohammad Yasin MP

WORDS FROM

Mohammad Yasin, MP for Bedford and Kempston

With Christmas just around the corner and the usual festive flurry, it’s a good time to consider how we all can make the most out of this special season.

Christmas is a stressful and fi nancially di cult time of year for many. As the cost-of living crisis deepens, this year will be particularly di cult as families, pensioners and low paid workers choose between heating or eating.

Families who struggle fi nancially feel under pressure to buy expensive gifts and go on costly trips out. For many other people too, Christmas can be a time of great loneliness, particularly for those with no relatives or friends to share this special time with.

It’s not going to be easy to muster the usual Christmas joy with worries about how to a ord the usual presents or Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, but I hope we all can make the most out of this special season and see it as an opportunity to be generous and express love, whether you are religious or not, to connect with our communities. One of the greatest pleasures as an MP is to attend all the community events I possibly can. From charity events to religious services of all denominations, school visits, hospital visits, care home visits, and all manner of local events. I regularly help at foodbanks, go litter-picking and speaking with constituents on their doorsteps every week. I can tell you it’s the most fulfi lling part of my job.

We already have a big voluntary community here in Bedford and Kempston. Charities themselves are concerned about the downturn in contributions as so many people can no longer spare the cash, but there are so many ways to help each other this year whether it’s through donations or by giving your time. We all lead busy lives, with jobs and our own families to juggle so it can be di cult to see where helping others can possibly fi t in. But just a simple act of kindness like writing a card to someone who may be on their own or plating up a dinner for a neighbour in need.

Donating money to charities and good causes is an obvious way to support. Foodbanks are currently in desperate need of donations, with more people than ever relying on these to feed their families.

Every year there are many local initiatives you can get involved in. All Nations Church, on Brickhill Drive in Bedford is again running it’s Christmas In A Box appeal which supports local people in crisis with food hampers. Faces in Bedford also has a Present Appeal for children who would not otherwise receive a gift. New, unwrapped toys and donations can be dropped at Church Lane Community Centre until 9 December. There will be many other initiatives at your local place of worship if you are in need or wish to donate.

During the pandemic lockdowns we were all reminded that the festive period was all about being with our loved ones. It’s going to be another tough Christmas for many. So don’t worry if there are fewer presents under the Christmas tree this year. The true Christmas spirit is about showing compassion and care for others and spending precious time with our families.