On Friday I was honoured to help open the new Frances Hunt Memorial Garden at Speke Training and Education Centre (STEC) alongside Lord Mayor Mary Rasmussen and Frances’ husband Dave. Frances, a lifelong community activists and charity volunteer, was someone I knew for many years. She made a massive contribution to the lives of local people and it is fitting that, having been Chair of STEC, the memorial garden has been named after her during its 40th birthday year.

In Frances’ memory the garden has been themed as a memorial for volunteers and staff of numerous local charities and community organisations who during their lives served the people of Speke, including The Harris Club for Disabled Adults, Speke Adventure Playground – The Venny – and Liverpool Talking Newspaper. The idea behind the garden though is to celebrate the great work charities across Speke do all year-round.

I was pleased that the opening was so well attended, with representatives from the local community alongside charities like SSAFA, supported by young people from Employability Solutions, and donors including Veolia, Home Bargains and Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Our local charities and community groups are increasingly the difference for local people struggling to make ends meet, which makes it fitting that STEC now houses a space to remember those who gave so much of their time to help others. It is a lovely space to visit, remember and reflect.