Road Town, British Virgin Islands. Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE, Territorial At-Large Representative, has announced an expansion of the public engagement activities of her Constituency Office, reaffirming her commitment to accessible representation, community empowerment and creating opportunities for young Virgin Islanders to contribute to the development of the Territory.
Building on the community-focused work undertaken over the past several years, the expanded approach will provide residents with greater opportunities to engage with the Constituency Office, raise concerns, share ideas and participate in initiatives aimed at strengthening communities throughout the Virgin Islands.
As part of this renewed engagement, the Constituency Office will maintain regular public office hours every Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The office will provide a range of services, including:
- Facilitating requests for meetings with Honourable Smith;
- Receiving, documenting and following up on constituency concerns;
- Sharing relevant parliamentary and constituency information;
- Coordinating constituency consultations, community meetings and information sessions; and
- Encouraging participation in community development and educational initiatives.
Celebrating Young Talent and Creativity
Central to this new phase is the appointment of Ms. Chelsea Hodge as Constituency Office Manager, bringing fresh energy, creativity and a strong commitment to community development to the office.
Chelsea has already demonstrated these qualities through her work with Honourable Smith in conceptualising and developing the Roots to Resilience: Together We Thrive initiative.
The programme, which was Chelsea’s brainchild, emerged from a shared vision with Honourable Smith to inspire greater community pride, encourage volunteerism, strengthen intergenerational relationships and mobilise residents to take an active role in improving their communities.
Since its launch, Roots to Resilience has brought together residents, businesses, community organisations and volunteers in a range of activities promoting beautification, environmental responsibility and community engagement.
Among its initiatives are the Paint the Town project, which included refreshing the exterior walls of the historic former Her Majesty’s Prison on Main Street, and the Cultural Dialect and Slang Mingle, which brought seniors and young people together to celebrate the Territory’s unique cultural heritage and bridge generational divides.
Mrs. Brenda Lettsome-Tye, who previously managed the Constituency Office, played an important role in bringing the programme to life and coordinating its implementation. Honourable Smith expressed her appreciation for her contribution to the successful execution of these community projects.
The programme continues to promote its message: “Beauty is by nature; clean is by choice.”
Investing in the Next Generation of Virgin Islands Leadership
Honourable Smith described Chelsea’s appointment as an example of the importance of recognising young talent and providing opportunities for young Virgin Islanders to develop and demonstrate their leadership abilities.
In her new role, Chelsea will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Constituency Office, coordinate constituent engagement, facilitate meetings and consultations, and continue advancing the Roots to Resilience programme.
Expanding Opportunities Through Education and Skills Development
The Constituency Office is also advancing plans for a Financial Services Boot Camp, an initiative designed to provide targeted learning and development opportunities for persons interested in gaining a better understanding of the financial services industry and the career opportunities it offers.
The programme reflects Honourable Smith’s longstanding commitment to education, professional development and ensuring that Virgin Islanders, particularly young people, are equipped to participate more fully in one of the Territory’s most important economic sectors.
Further information, including programme content, eligibility and registration details, will be announced shortly.
Strengthening Connections with the Community
Honourable Smith emphasised that the expanded activities of the Constituency Office reflect her belief that effective representation requires ongoing dialogue, accessibility and meaningful engagement with the people of the Virgin Islands.
“As an At-Large Representative, my responsibility extends to every community across our Territory. I want our Constituency Office to be a welcoming and accessible place where residents feel comfortable sharing their concerns, offering ideas and participating in initiatives that make a positive difference.
Whether we are supporting our seniors, engaging our young people, creating opportunities for professional development or encouraging greater pride in our surroundings, our objective remains the same: building stronger communities and empowering our people.
I look forward to this next chapter of engagement and to the fresh ideas and enthusiasm that Chelsea will bring to the work of the office.”
Residents are encouraged to take advantage of the regular office hours and remain connected as further announcements are made regarding constituency consultations, community programmes and opportunities for participation.
Constituency Office Contact Information
Public Office Hours: Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Email: togetherwethrivevi@gmail.com
Telephone: 284-494-5428
Location: Road Reef Plaza, adjacent Island Roots Cafe
Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE
Territorial At-Large Representative
Virgin Islands