It was a pleasure to attend the relaunch of education classes at the Vaughan Mills Education Centre on Woodlands Farm, alongside Shooters Hill Councillors, Ivis Williams and Raja Zeeshan and the respective Mayors for Greenwich and Bexley.
I saw the fantastic nature on offer at the Farm on our tour led by Dr Barry Gray, chairman of the Woodlands Farm Trust. It is imperative more young people get outside and enjoy the great green spaces available to them in our constituency.
Photos of Abena Oppong-Asare MP at St Margaret Clitherow Primary School:
Social Media post by Abena Oppong-Asare MP:
Had a fantastic time at the relaunch of the Vaughan Mills Education Centre at Woodlands Farm!
It was important to recently join a walkabout with the Thamesmead Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT). It was insightful to see and hear firsthand how they deal with the challenges of policing in the local area. What stood out as especially valuable was observing how they cooperate with local schools to ensure a safe dispersal at the end of the school day – making sure the area is kept safe for the students and residents.
It is important we continue to restore trust in our police and crack down on all forms of crime.
Social Media post by Abena Oppong-Asare MP:
Important to join a walkabout with the Thamesmead Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT).
It was insightful to see how they keep our community safe and hear about the day-to-day challenges they face.
It was a pleasure to be able to visit St Margaret Citherow Primary school in Thamesmead. Firstly, I thanked the students for their lovely designs for my recent Christmas Card Competition. I then had a mini-Interview with two of the runners up, Michelle and Arielle, who fired questions at me about my role in politics. I also asked what inspired their designs, and they shared that the beautiful scenery in our constituency was their main inspiration.
It was great to also join the Key Stage 2 assembly whereby the students asked about my role as their MP and my political journey. Lastly, I was taken on a lovely tour of the school by the Head Girl, Claire, and the Head Boy, Jimi.
Photos of Abena Oppong-Asare MP at St Margaret Clitherow Primary School:
Social Media post by Abena Oppong-Asare MP:
It was a pleasure to visit St Margaret Clitherow Primary School in Thamesmead.
I thanked the students for their great designs for my Christmas Card Competition and answered some of their thoughtful questions.
https://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/IMG_0936-1-scaled.jpeg19202560Abena Oppong-Asare MPhttps://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SM-Logo-3.pngAbena Oppong-Asare MP2025-02-10 13:40:012025-03-03 13:45:05Visit to St Margaret Clitherow Primary School
I was honoured to attend the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration. It was a poignant reminder to remember the past and stand against hatred. Grateful for the chance to reflect and pay tribute.
I was joined by Leader of Greenwich Council, Cllr Anthony Okereke, and Mayor of Greenwich, Cllr Jit Ranabhat, alongside many others.
Photo of Abena Oppong-Asare MP at the Greenwich Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration:
Social Media post by Abena Oppong-Asare MP:
Honoured to attend the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration this morning.
It was a moving reminder to remember the past and stand against hatred.
Today marks the anniversary of National Holocaust Memorial Day. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Nazi Concentration Camps in Europe. It is pertinent that we reflect today on the tragedy that was the Holocaust and continue to remember the innocent lives that were taken.
This month, I signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment and pledge to remember the six million Jewish men, women and children who were murdered in the Holocaust and speak out against all forms of antisemitism.
Photo of Abena Oppong-Asare MP signing the Book of Commitment:
Social Media post by Abena Oppong-Asare MP commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day 2025:
Today marks Holocaust Memorial Day.
We must remember the six million Jewish people who were murdered in the Holocaust and speak out against all forms of antisemitism.
https://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/25.01.21-Abena-Oppong-Asare-Book-of-Commitment-Holocaust-Memorial-Day-2025-square.jpg13791379Abena Oppong-Asare MPhttps://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SM-Logo-3.pngAbena Oppong-Asare MP2025-01-27 08:25:002025-01-27 09:31:34Holocaust Memorial Day 2025
Patients in Erith and Thamesmead will be able to access more appointments closer to home and get the treatment they need faster under a new plan to tackle hospital backlogs set out by the Prime Minister earlier this month.
In London, nearly half a million people – 476,131 in total – have been on waiting lists for more than 18 weeks, including an alarming 103,210 people within the NHS South East London ICB, causing a significant impact on their health.
Addressing the 7.5 million-strong waiting list inherited by the government, and ensuring the NHS once again meets the 18-week standard for planned treatment, is a crucial milestone in the government’s Plan for Change.
Restoring this 18-week standard will mean patients in Erith and Thamesmead no longer have their lives put at risk or on hold – instead getting the treatment they need when they need it.
At the moment, too many patients face long waits for appointments or surgeries and may be referred to hospitals they don’t choose at inconvenient times, while appointments and staff time are being lost to inefficiencies or inconsistencies in care.
The Labour Government’s Elective Reform Plan, published this month by NHS England, sets out a whole system approach to hitting the 18-week referral to treatment target by the end of this Parliament.
This includes opening Community Diagnostic Centres on evenings and weekends so that many more people will be able to access tests and checks while going about their daily lives.
The NHS will also increase the number of surgical hubs, which will help protect planned care from the impact of winter pressures and will cut waiting lists for standard surgeries, in turn freeing up beds in acute wards.
The plan will drive forward progress on the government’s first steps commitment to deliver 2 million extra appointments in its first year, equivalent to 40,000 every week. The reforms will put patients first, harness technology to support staff and help the NHS to do things more efficiently.
Under the plan, 65% of patients will be treated within 18 weeks by the end of next year. Based on the size of the current waiting list, that would mean a fall of more than 450,000 people waiting more than 18 weeks for treatment.
After 14 years of decline, these plans will ensure that NHS patients and the people of South East London – and across the country – will at last have access to the timely treatment they need and deserve, while NHS staff will once again be able to deliver the high standard of care they are so deeply committed to providing.
Abena Oppong-Asare, Member of Parliament for Erith and Thamesmead said:
“Too many residents in our community of Erith and Thamesmead and South East London are stuck on the record long waiting lists inherited by this Labour Government at huge cost to their health.
“That’s why the reforms announced this month to cut NHS waiting times from 18 months to 18 weeks will make such a huge difference. With so many people waiting for treatment, it is more urgent than ever that we reform our NHS so it will always be there for you when you need it.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
“This Government promised change and that is what I am fighting every day to deliver.
“NHS backlogs have ballooned in recent years, leaving millions of patients languishing on waiting lists, often in pain or fear. Lives on hold. Potential unfulfilled.
“This elective reform plan will deliver on our promise to end the backlogs. Millions more appointments. Greater choice and convenience for patients. Staff once again able to give the standard of care they desperately want to.
“This is a key plank of our Plan for Change, which will drive growth that puts more money in people’s pockets, secures our borders and makes the NHS fit for the future so what working people live longer, healthier, more prosperous lives.”
https://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Official-Portrait-of-Abena-Oppong-Asare-MP--scaled.jpeg17072560Abena Oppong-Asare MPhttps://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SM-Logo-3.pngAbena Oppong-Asare MP2025-01-23 14:00:232025-01-23 14:01:06Abena welcomes the Government's plan to cut backlog of over 100,000 patients in South East London waiting over 18-weeks for NHS treatment
Families and children in Erith and Thamesmead will be able to access early years support such as pregnancy support, infant feeding advice, parenting classes and other support to give their child the best start in life, following a £126 million Government funding boost – delivering on the Labour’s Plan for Change.
Greenwich is expected to receive at least £1,472,500 as part of the wider investment increase.
Children’s early years are crucial to their development, health and life chances. Antenatal classes, health visitors, parenting support, baby and toddler groups and access to affordable, high-quality early education and childcare – all are vital to guiding parents and supporting child development. Yet over 80% of parents have said they struggled to access services.
As part of our Plan for Change we’re committed to strengthening and joining up family services to improve support through pregnancy and early childhood and improve long term outcomes for children – including through today’s investment in Family Hubs and the Start for Life programme.
Abena Oppong-Asare, Member of Parliament for Erith and Thamesmead said:
“I am absolutely delighted that families and children in Erith and Thamesmead will be able to access early years support through this funding boost from the Government.
“Families in Erith and Thamesmead elected a Labour government to give every child the best possible start in life, and that is what we’re delivering.
“This will make such a huge difference for so many families in our community and I know that the impact will be felt for years to come.”
Andrew Gwynne, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, said:
“This crucial investment provides a strong foundation to deliver our commitment to raise the healthiest generation of children ever, by giving parents the support they need to ensure their baby has the best start in life.
“The first two years of a child’s life lay the building blocks for their physical and emotional wellbeing into adulthood. That’s why we are investing in early years, as part of our Plan for Change, to improve access to services in deprived areas to ensure no-one is left behind.”
https://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Official-Portrait-of-Abena-Oppong-Asare-MP--scaled.jpeg17072560Abena Oppong-Asare MPhttps://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SM-Logo-3.pngAbena Oppong-Asare MP2025-01-15 18:31:312025-01-15 18:31:33Families and new parents in Greenwich to receive early years support says Abena Oppong-Asare MP
I am delighted to announce the successful conclusion of my Christmas Card Competition 2024 for Erith and Thamesmead.
This annual competition invites schools from across our constituency to take part. The theme for this year was “What makes Erith and Thamesmead a fun place?” As always, I would like to thank our fantastic students across the constituency who illustrated designs that show what they feel makes our constituency the fun place it is. This included parks, open spaces, shops, and local landmarks.
The artwork was assessed by a panel of judges, and I used the winning design as my Christmas Card this year, which was sent to over 1000 local people, businesses, and community groups. I also sent my card to the Prime Minister as well as many of my colleagues in the Houses of Parliament.
As has been the case in previous years we had a fantastic turnout from our enthusiastic students with many great designs being sent in. I would like to thank the schools, teachers, and parents who dedicated time to help organise the competition.
Congratulations to this year’s winner, Vera, aged 10, from St Thomas a Becket Primary School. You can see me photographed with Vera, her winning published card and her Head Teacher Mrs Cooper.
Abena visiting this year’s winner, Vera, at St Thomas a Becket Primary School
In Vera’s description of her design, she wrote.
“I chose to draw this picture because whenever I go to Erith, I love to see the bright patterns on all the fish. I decided to start improving my art and create something special; I made a drawing based on Christmas. I am very proud of the art I have created from my artistic imagination, and I hope you will like it too.”
It is safe to say not only did we like it but I and the rest of the constituency absolutely loved it!
It was a pleasure visiting St Thomas a Becket Primary School, too. Many students asked me brilliant questions about my political career and journey. It is reassuring to know we have students in our constituency who, despite their youth, have a great interest in Politics.
Attached here is me meeting the Speaker of the House of Commons. He was impressed by the high quality of the design and put it on display in his office!
Abena presenting the winning design to the Speaker of the House of Commons
With special thanks to the sponsors of my card who backed this year’s competition – including Edible Oils Limited, Manak Solicitors, Lumbini Grocery, Aum Trading Wholesale, Red Lion Noodle Bar and Greenwich Mummies Forum.
I am excited to announce that my annual Christmas Card Competition has officially launched! Each year I run this competition for primary school students across our constituency to produce amazing artwork that is sent out to local stakeholders in Erith and Thamesmead.
The theme for this year is: ‘What makes Erith and Thamesmead a fun place’.Pupils can draw or paint a design that shows what they love about places in our constituency, ensuring it has a Christmas theme. This might include sporting activities that make them happy, the parks or open spaces, local communities, shops, landmarks or even family and friends.
Entries must be accompanied by a few sentences explaining what the landmark means to the young artist and why they chose to draw it. The artwork will be assessed by a panel of judges, and the winning design will be used as my Christmas Card and sent to more than 1,000 local people and groups.
In addition to the main prize, the winner and two runners up will receive a gift.
The submission process is as follows:
The artwork must be A4 in size (including the pupil’s name, age, class and school)
It must be accompanied by a few sentences explaining why the pupil chose to draw it
Submissions must be received by close of play on Friday 25th October
The winners will be announced in an email to all participating schools shortly after the deadline. I hope to attend the winning schools to present the prizes in person and will be in touch with the relevant school(s) to arrange a suitable date and time.
Below are some previous winners to provide some inspiration!
