UK Parliament Week 2025 to be celebrated across Southport next month

PATRICK Hurley MP is inviting everyone in Southport to get involved in UK Parliament Week (UKPW), an annual event spreading the word about what Parliament is, what it does and how you can get involved.

This year's UKPW introduces young people to UK Parliament step by step to help them find out what it does, how it affects everyone's daily lives and how they can get involved.

UK Parliament Week is also marking the 10 year Anniversary of the launch of the UK Government and Parliament e-petitions website which has widened access and opened up opportunities for the public to let Members of Parliament know about the issues that matter to them.

This year UK Parliament Week is taking place from:- 24 November to 30 November 2025. Thousands of Schools, youth groups and community organisations in constituencies across the United Kingdom have already signed up. In 2025 over 2.4 million people took part in every nation and Region of the UK, and many countries all over the world.

Everyone who signs up for UK Parliament Week is posted a free kit packed with resources, including:- a booklet (with information and activity ideas tailored for youth groups, Primary and Secondary Schools, or adults), a pop-up ballot box, a banner, stickers and a unique Petitions Pursuit board game to help them run a UKPW activity.

Patrick Hurley, MP for Southport, said:- "UK Parliament Week is an excellent opportunity for people in Southport to find out more about UK Parliament, its role in shaping everyday life, and the ways they can get involved with its work. I encourage Schools and local groups to sign up and I'm looking forward to seeing lots of constituents, especially young people, taking part."

Fran Jeens, Head of Education and Engagement at UK Parliament, said:- "It's always fantastic to see Schools and communities coming together for UK Parliament Week, exploring democracy and discovering the ways they can actively participate. We're looking forward to this year's UKPW being even bigger and better than last year and can't wait to see what activities are organised in Southport."

Sefton MP visits upgraded facilities at St. Joseph's Hospice

ST. Joseph's Hospice in Thornton has welcomed Sefton Central MP, Bill Esterson, in a special visit to see 1st hand how recent Government funding has been spent.

Over the summer, the Department of Health and Social Care announced a �100m package of capital funding for Hospices in England, of which �200k was allocated to St. Joseph's Hospice.

The Hospice's chair of trustees, David Bricknell; operations director, Beverley Cannon; clinical director, Clare Waller; and chief executive, Mike Parr, welcomed Bill Esterson MP and gave him a tour of the Hospice.

The grant funding was for capital spending only and the Hospice, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, has used it to upgrade the 100 year old building, improve the facilities for patients and families, and put energy efficiency measures in place so it can become more sustainable in the future.

Recent upgrade work includes significant repairs to the roof of San Jose; the original Hospice building, improvements to patient bathrooms to create a more relaxing and therapeutic environment, the installation of LED lighting to reduce energy bills, and the creation of an all-year-round outdoor space for patients and families with new garden pods and accessible footpaths.

Sustainability was a key part of the conversation between the Hospice's management team and Bill Esterson with the urgent need for a sustainable revenue funding model for Hospices, and the difficulties Hospices face in covering costs at the top of the agenda.

Hospice UK's Fair Funding for Hospice's campaign sets out the business case for a sustainable funding model for all Hospices, given the considerable funding challenges faced by Hospices, such as:- the impact of employers NI contributions, the need to match NHS pay rises, as well as important increases in the National Living Wage.

Mike Parr, chief executive of St. Joseph's Hospice, said:- "We were delighted to welcome Bill Esterson to the Hospice to show him all the improvement we have made in recent months, and the positive impact of the Government's recent capital grant. We are very fortunate to have such a beautiful building, set with 12 acres of natural woodland, but we are also 1 of the oldest Hospices in the country and our buildings need maintaining and updating so that we can continue to provide high quality, person Centred end of life care for our community. We have lots of plans for the future and sustainability is always at the forefront of our minds when creating these plans and aspirations because, 1st and foremost, we need to make sure that we are still here to care for future generations of our community."

Bill Esterson, MP for Central Sefton, said:- "It was a real pleasure to visit St Joseph's Hospice and see how the �200,000 in Government funding is already making a difference. This capital investment has allowed them to replace the original 100 year old roof and install energy-efficient LED lighting that will save thousands each year. Therapeutic bathrooms, upgraded pathways, and new garden pods will improve the wellbeing of patients and families, while the new nurses' station and staff room are giving staff the space and support they need. This is a much-loved and vital facility, and I'll continue working to ensure it has the backing it needs to thrive."

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UK Parliament Week 2025 to be celebrated across Southport next month

Sefton MP visits upgraded facilities at St. Joseph's Hospice