My Week at Parliament: A Truly Eye-Opening Experience
By Hollie Hewitt
After spending a week doing work experience at Parliament, I can honestly say it was one of the most unforgettable and eye-opening experiences I’ve had. Before this, I had no idea how much went on behind the scenes and I left with a brand-new respect for all the hard work that happens daily to support our communities.
I had the incredible opportunity to work with the team of Julia Lopez MP, and I’m so grateful for everything they allowed me to be a part of. One of the most exciting parts of the week was helping with Julia’s social media. I got to assist in writing and editing posts that would be shared on her platforms, which felt amazing to contribute to the way an MP communicates with the public and to see how much thought goes into every single post.
I also learned so much from observing how the team handles casework. I didn’t realise just how many people rely on their MP for help with a huge range of issues. Watching the team organise and respond to these cases really opened my eyes to the role MPs play in supporting individuals and families in their constituencies every single day.
Another interesting task I was trusted with was sorting police crime statistics into spreadsheets. It might sound a bit boring, but it was actually really fascinating. These stats help the team identify what’s going on in our area and where support might be needed. It felt like a real honour to be given that responsibility and to know that the work I did could contribute to helping the community.
It wasn’t all office work either, I had loads of fun taking part in tours and watching live debates. Seeing the House of Commons in action was something I’ll never forget. But one of the best parts of the week was attending a debate hosted by Julia and her team for Harold Wood Primary School. It was such a powerful reminder of how important it is for young people to have a voice. The pupils spoke with so much confidence and passion, and the judging was really tough because everyone did such an amazing job!
Overall, I had an incredible week filled with laughter, learning, and new opportunities. I’ve come away with a much better understanding of how Parliament works and what our MP actually does day-to-day. I want to say a massive thank you to Julia Lopez and her whole team for being so welcoming and supportive because they made this experience truly special. I’ve learned so much, met great people, and seen all the hard work that goes into making change happen.
