WOMEN who might not feel comfortable raising an issue with a male councillor or MP can now get a sympathetic female ear in Worcester.

Nida Hassan will stand as a Conservative candidate in Cathedral ward in next May’s elections for Worcester City Council.

And this week she has started holding surgeries, which are open to all, but particularly targeted at women.

Nida, 30, said: “I’ve been campaigning and you knock on doors, but that’s not always a convenient time for people, or there isn’t enough time – or they might not be comfortable speaking to a man for whatever reason.

“I’ll be holding weekly surgeries for anyone, but particularly for women, so they can speak to someone they might be more comfortable with.”

The first surgery will be held this week, and them weekly on Tuesday afternoons, between 2 and 3pm. Nida said: “I’ve timed them to be before the school-run.”

Nida will speak to people at an office in Trinity Street next to the children’s play area.

She said; “I’m not a councillor yet, but I might be able to help people with their problem, or if I can’t suggest a solution I can make an appointment with someone- that might be with another councillor or the MP.

“I also speak a couple of languages and know many other people who speak a range of languages, so I can always arrange to have someone come and

Robin Walker, Worcester’s Conservative MP approved of Nida’s initiative. He said: “I hold regular surgeries, and I’ve learned so much from them about what really goes on and what matters to people.

I didn’t hold them before I was elected, and it would have been a really useful thing to do, so I applaud Nida in doing this. This will be invaluable to her in her campaigning and if she becomes a councillor and she’s really going the extra mile.

Book to speak to Nida via email: contact her on nidahassan87@gmail.com.