A LONG with other local MPs, I was very pleased to be asked to write occasional articles for the Post.

Very often, people's perceptions of MPs are formed by Prime Minister's Questions, or big debates in Parliament. Of course, these are important Parliamentary occasions, but most MPs, myself included, particularly enjoy spending time in their constituencies. Here, we work in partnership with local residents to help make improvements to our communities.

While Parliamentary business requires all MPs to be in London from Monday until Thursday, I am able to spend Fridays and the weekends out and about here in Bristol South. During this time, I visit schools and community groups, and am invited to a wide range of events. I also use this part of the week to catch up with letters, emails and phone calls from my office in Bedminster.

I always try to be an accessible and approachable local MP, and I am sure people in Bristol South know they are always welcome to get in touch. Last year, for example, over 3,000 local residents took the time to get in touch with me by phone, email or letter. Some residents want to ask my opinion about Government policy, or present me with a petition about an important local issue. Others ask for my help with all manner of problems. The sheer scale of issues people contact me about never ceases to amaze me. I might go from trying to help a resident with their child benefit claim, straight to writing to another about tuition fees, animal welfare or cuts to services. There's no time to be bored, and I always do my best to provide residents with an answer.

I always try to be on hand to help people with problems they may have experienced with one official body or another. Sometimes people are surprised that I'm not able to tell the council, or the Government, what to do. I certainly wish I could! What I can do, though, is raise your concerns with the appropriate body. I have found over the last 25 years that, while I can't produce a magic wand, a firm nudge from an MP often gets the wheels of bureaucracy moving again.

In the next few years, as the Government's cuts take hold, I expect that many more people will feel the need to get in touch. I will always be honest and realistic with you – most problems won't be solved overnight – but I will do what I can to advise you, or point you to other organisations who might also be able to help.

So, should you need assistance, please do feel free to get in touch. You can write to me at Dawn Primarolo MP, PO Box 1002, Bristol, BS99 1WH, email primarolod@parliament.uk or call 0117 9090 063.

Next week: Jacob Rees-Mogg, Conservative MP for North East Somerset.