Dr. Simon Opher has dedicated over 30 years to serving as a local GP and currently chairs the Stroud Locality NHS. A pioneer in social prescribing, he developed the groundbreaking Artlift programme, which uses creative arts to improve mental health and wellbeing. As a GP, Dr. Opher has witnessed how income disparities deeply affect people's lives. In Stroud, the wealthiest residents live, on average, over nine years longer than the poorest. He believes the solution to this inequality isn't solely medical—it’s political. Driven by this conviction, he stood for Parliament and was elected as the MP for Stroud in July 2024. He now serves as Chair of the Health APPG.