I usually work from the constituency office during the recess and on Mondays and Fridays during term time. I hold regular weekly surgeries on Friday afternoons either in my office or another venue in the constituency, where constituents can consult me on personal issues and concerns. I meet with groups of constituents and with individuals such as the Chair and Chief Executive of the Health Board, the Chief Constable, the Regional Directors of Scottish Enterprise and VisitScotland. I enjoy visiting local schools or lunch clubs to talk about my responsibilities as an MSP, and meeting with local organisations to discuss their work and how it relates to the Scottish Parliament and the legislation we pass. I also sit on a number of regeneration groups.

I work closely with my Westminster colleague, Russell Brown, MP for Dumfries and Galloway and with the Labour councillors who represent wards in my constituency. We hold joint surgeries on occasions and also undertake "doorstep surgeries" where we call on constituents in their own homes to ask whether they have issues for us to take up. These usually take place at the weekend. During the summer months I enjoy visiting the various local galas and common ridings across the constituency.

I have also been happy to take up campaigns on behalf of constituents, for example on town centre regeneration (the image shows our 'Save our town centre' campaign) or post office closures. Constituents also lobby me to support national campaigns, such as taking action on climate change, or animal welfare issues. I'm frequently contacted on Council issues such as the condition of roads and pavements, illegal parking, local buses or waste disposal and am happy to contact Council officials to pass on views or seek their advice. I also often consulted on housing issues and, although I have no influence on the allocation of houses by the local Housing Associations, I am always willing to make representations to them on behalf of constituents.