On Friday 25 September I visited Banbury Mosque. I wanted to visit to thank the volunteers of Banbury Community Fridge and catch up with constituents, who have recently returned to the Mosque following coronavirus lockdown.
The Banbury Community Fridge has provided a vital lifeline for so many families in the community over the past few months. Designed to reduce food waste and open to everyone, volunteers at the Mosque delivered thousands of isolation food packs to the vulnerable and those over the age of 65 during lockdown.
This fantastic work prompted many constituents to nominate The Fridge for my Unsung Hero award, which I awarded in August. I was really pleased I was able to see The Fridge in action on Friday, and thank the volunteers and the Mosque in person. Such selfless work now and throughout lockdown to support those in need, really does highlight the great work the Mosque puts in all year round.
Any visit is also an excellent opportunity to catch up with constituents about local or personal issues. Following the easing of some coronavirus restrictions, I was able to listen to members of the Mosque and discuss their concerns. A number of individuals raised their concerns about Kashmir, so this week I will be writing a letter to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office to share the points many people made to me during my visit.
I was pleased to see how well the Mosque has adapted given coronavirus restrictions. Track and trace barcodes for members to scan and separate entrances and exits to adhere to social distancing, ensures members can worship safely. I hope to visit the Mosque again soon!
