A realistic look at the first week as a newly-elected Person in the Senedd

On Friday, May 7, Sarah Murphy was announced as the participant from the Senedd for Bridgend.

Her predecessor within the seat was Carwyn Jones, former First Minister.

As he announced he would step down, a variety process began and she or he was selected as Labour's candidate in October 2021.

In an offer to secure election, she's done things like introduce mindfulness, a strict 10pm bedtime, and given up drinking alcohol. But, she says she doesn't see them as sacrifices.

Voting took place on Thursday until 10pm with the count the very next day. She got the call from her agent – who is her partner Alex – to tell her she may go there around 6.30pm but couldn't guess the result. Then, after he told her she had won and her majority, she made her method to the stage, her "beaming" smile hidden by her mask.

"You're just a bit stunned," she said, remembering the walk to the level.

Now officially Bridgend's Person in the Senedd, Sarah has documented her first days in her job.

Saturday

On Saturday afternoon, once all of the results were in, I was happy to welcome Mark Drakeford and the new MS for Rhondda, Buffy Williams, to Porthcawl therefore we could celebrate our wins together.

As I turned the corner to walk towards the meeting point, there were a minimum of three photographers and it felt just a little overwhelming but it's such a buzz that I just got up with it.

Lots of people stopped to talk with us and take photos, and local florist A J Guttridge Flowers gave Mark a beautiful bouquet to congratulate him.

Even although it can be nerve wracking talking to the media, I just always think to myself that I'm speaking with my neighbour Bob.

I remember after i was seeking selection, Gurus Mark Drakeford how he kept up the interest rate every day and that he said he sleeps really well, as soon as his head hits the pillow he snoozes.

When I acquired selected, I made some life changes and I don't drink anymore, I make sure I'm asleep by 10pm and that i do mindfulness, and I make certain I eat properly. It's if I actually do all that I feel I'm operating at my best. I don't view it like a sacrifice, I simply like to start and every day and get the most from it.

Sunday

I was overwhelmed with messages on every social media app, two emails…there were a lot of.

My family here, even those who work in America, there have been so many.

One of my favourites was from the constituent called Jessica's Dad. He sent us a photo of the Lego figures that she had created of Mark Drakeford and that i. Jessica's Dad told me that she had been very engaged using the campaign.

It's lovely and such an excellent feeling to obtain messages and support like this.

Monday

First was a job interview with Claire Summers for BBC Radio Wales about being a new MS.

It doesn't feel real in some ways however it did when I visited the Wales Live studio, and I'm doing Sharp End too. I realise I'm being submit for many things, and that i appear to be doing all of them with Plaid's Luke Fletcher that is funny. It really has brought the place to find me how determined I am to complete things for Bridgend and constituency first. I haven't enter into this for any reason apart from to represent my constituency.

So it was upright to Brackla Fields to satisfy using the 'Save Our Fields' organiser, Alan Drury. Recently, the audience has successfully campaigned to avoid a brand new school being built around the green space with Welsh Government and Carwyn Jones to find an alternative brown field site. An enormous achievement and I desired to meet with Alan to go over next steps for that community space.

Later, I visited the Senedd to become sworn in like a Member of the Senedd for Bridgend Constituency. My Mam came with me as my guest and it was the proudest moment of my entire life. I am dedicated to bringing power closer to the people of Bridgend and Porthcawl, which is only the beginning!

Tuesday

In between lots of induction meetings with the Senedd team, I popped into Bridgend Town Centre near my house to say hello to The Bridgend Mentoring Scheme Plus Scheme staff in the Zone. They have been tremendous throughout the pandemic ensuring people over the community are okay and have enough food and support. Now, I am pleased they're able to reinstate their incredible mentoring scheme providing positive heroines to young kids who were experiencing difficulties either at home or school

I also stopped off in the Bridgend Indoor Marketplace for some jam Welsh cakes from Bakestone's Bridgend to take in to the Senedd the next day.

Wednesday

This was a big day! I went to the Senedd to go to my first plenary meeting and had a group photo with all of the Welsh Labour MSs around the steps of the Senedd. The photos are fantastic but behind the scenes it took ages to get all of us in place once we socially distanced.

All 60 MSs were onsite for the first time together there was a real buzz in the air within the corridors. As with any first work day, it was exciting and a bit intimidating when i found my way around and was shown to my new office.

Fortunately, I am not the only real Welsh Labour newbie so Buffy Williams MS and Carolyn Thomas MS stuck together and possess the privilege of walking into the Senedd with Mark Drakeford, and sitting together within the chamber when Mark was re-elected as First Minister.

It's strange being here, I have only ever seen Adam Price in real life once and that was years back. Even seeing him walk in, I thought to myself 'he's off the tele' just because you don't often see people from other parties, especially when campaigning for selection and then election.

Thursday

Back to working at home and having important meetings using the local Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board concerning the ongoing vaccine rollout and updates about cases in the region, which are thankfully remaining low. It had been concerning to hear there are still those who have not been contacted, or who have not attended their vaccine appointment, and steps are in place to try and reach them and cause them to become achieve this.

Our new Welsh Government Cabinet has additionally been announced and i'm looking forward to all of the appointments especially the creation of an environment Change ministry.

Friday

I'm cracking up with lots of local issues and casework today.

I was once communications manager and Parliamentary assistant to Cardiff North MP Anna McMorrin and so i feel I'm in good stead hitting the ground running.

When I started employed by Anna she had only been elected three weeks earlier, and it was such a surprise and life changing event for her. For approximately 3 months, it had been only the a couple of us really also it was among the best times during the my entire life. I was really creating a difference.

I know ok now what needs doing now and just what can wait. I know due to everything happening with Covid that the constituency office can wait, but I understand how to recruit staff and which staff you'll need. I believe my knowledge about Anna helps me to prioritise things.

The biggest shock somewhere is that in Westminster you will find countless MPs which means you kind of get swallowed up and situations are done via long chain emails but there's only 60 people so there's nowhere to cover. With the votes for Presiding Officer and deputy last week, I had been being directly contacted.

So lots of people will be in touch asking about further financial support for local businesses and piloting crowd events for local sports clubs. As well as writing to the united kingdom Government to ensure that the folks laid to rest at Parc House burial ground aren't exhumed, and raising ongoing concerns concerning the potential Women's Residential Centre at Sunnyside House.

Saturday

I was back out on the doorstep campaigning for that Bridgend Town Council by-elections in Morfa and Oldcastle wards. It was great to chat to people and show that I will not be a politician that they only see when there is a Senedd election around the corner.

By no more the week I already had about 250 email queries and 50 bits of casework. It's not just emails, I'm getting messages from constituents using their hospital beds and tagged on Twitter and Facebook.

The most essential thing for me personally is to get all of them in one place. I've been campaigning saying I'll be available and so i actually want to be.

Sunday

Finally, today I'd my first Covid-19 vaccine at Raven's Court in Bridgend. Employees were wonderful, and extremely safe and efficient.

I recorded a video when i went in and it's a mix of me being so happy and merely being really overwhelmed. I ran the Bridgend Covid Support group which was 24/7 since last March.

We had such big spikes here in Bridgend, before Christmas we were one of the worst places in Wales also it was really, really dire therefore if you'd have explained this time around last year I'd receive my vaccine aged 34, I would have thought I'd been waiting years longer. It's just incredible.