Jon Ashworth flew to India on Sunday 24 February as part of a project organised by Save the Children. The visit, which will last until Saturday 2 March, will involve Jon visiting Save the Children's poverty projects in Delhi and Calcutta, two of India's most populated cities.

As part of his trip Jon will visit health units, childhood development centres and schools in various urban slums in Calcutta and Delhi. He will meet with the staff who work on these projects, and also the children who use these vital services.

Speaking before the trip, Jon said: “India is home to some of the world's worst poverty. One third of the world's poorest people live in India, and more than one and a half million Indian children die every year before they even turn five years old. Poverty is a huge problem in the country, and it's really important that we see how we can help as many poverty-stricken people as possible.”

Jon commented further: “400 million of the world's poorest people live in India, and given that the country is home to 1.2 billion people, this is poverty on a huge scale. The work that charities like Save the Children do is really important, and I'm sure the projects we'll visit are having a positive impact on so many children in India.”

Jon visited Foundation Housing Association on Friday 22 February. Foundation is a specialist provider of black and minority ethnic and culturally sensitive housing and support services in Leicester.

The services provided by Foundation, along with all other voluntary sector and City Council services, are currently being looked at under the Council’s Homelessness Strategy Review. Public consultation on the Strategy Review closed on Monday 18 February.

Jon said: “The City Council is under great pressure in light of the Government’s cuts to funding. However, it is vital that in Leicester there are sufficient culturally sensitive homeless services available.”

“I understand that the proposed plan is to only retain the Dawn Centre and Border House as direct access hostels. If this was implemented then it is has to be asked how the needs of the black and ethnic minority citizens of Leicester will be met.”

Jon visited Myrtle Road Hostel along with Nikki Chawda, the Managing Director of Foundation Housing Association.

Speaking before the visit, Jon said: “Given the huge changes to homelessness provision proposed by the City Council, it is important that I hear from those that will be directly affected by these changes.”

On Monday 25 February a unique Work Club, based at the Linwood Centre, will open its doors for the first time.

The Saffron Lane Work Club will be running a 15 week programme that will increase people's confidence and skills in looking for work.

The Work Club will be run by Phoenix Therapies a local social enterprise.

Lainy Wills, one of the Directors of Phoenix, stated: “We can't wait to get going. When you are unemployed it is easy to feel lost, low and give up hope of finding a job that you will enjoy. This training will help people to refocus, think outside the box and kick start a new beginning for all the learners.”

The Club, which has been funded by the European Social Fund, will look at accessing the hidden jobs market, creating your own personal map to get the job you want, confidence building and help dealing with the stress of being out of work and finding employment.

Jon Ashworth visited the University of Leicester Students' Union on Friday 15 February to give students an opportunity to meet their local MP and talk to him about issues that matter to them.

As part of his Parliamentary duties, Jon Ashworth regularly holds weekly advice sessions around the Constituency and in his city centre office. These advice sessions allow constituents to raise all manner of concerns with him, be they issues relating to local housing and benefits or lobbying on major national policy issues.

This visit will be the first advice session held at the University Student's Union, and will give young people the opportunity to directly engage in politics.

Jon said: “Young people are often accused of not taking an interest in current and topical affairs, and I don't think that's a fair accusation. I regularly get young people, students and pupils contacting me about issues that matter to them, and last month I visited Madani High School to discuss lowering the voting age to 16 with pupils at that school.”

The ‘Safe' project in Leicester provides support to people who experience, or are at risk of, experiencing domestic violence. Jon visited the project on Friday 15 February to learn more about the services it offers to women and speak with their service-users.

The visit comes following a debate in Parliament on Thursday 14 February, where MPs debated protecting future generations from violence against women and girls. The debate forms part of the ‘One Billion Rising' campaign, which will also saw thousands of campaigners come together at 150 different events across Britain.

Speaking before the event, Jon said: “I'll be going to Thursday's debate, and visiting ‘Safe' will give me a chance to hear the thoughts and ideas of people who have been directly affected by this issue. Violence against women remains a huge problem in our society.”

In any one year, there are 13 million separate incidents of physical violence or threats of violence against women from partners or former partners.

Jon Ashworth visited Southfields Basketball Club to meet with the young people who attend the regular Friday night basketball coaching sessions there, and players from Leicester Riders.

It was only in November 2012 when Jon met with constituents who had been told that Leicester City Council had decided to stop funding this Club in February 2013.

Jon said: “After I met with Tracy and other constituents I contacted the City Council to ask it to reconsider its decision to end its funding of the Club that had been running for more than 25 years. When this approach failed I contacted the Director of Leicester Riders to see if they could help.”

Last week it was confirmed that Southfields Basketball Club will not close later this month after a deal was agreed by the Leicester Riders and the City Council. Kevin Routledge, Director of the Riders, who will at Southfields Drive on Friday, commented: “After Jon contacted me I was more than happy to see how the Riders could help in keeping this valuable Club running. Key to reaching an agreement with the City Council was the work undertaken by local ward Councillor, Rory Palmer, and by Councillor Adam Clarke who represents Aylestone Ward, where Tracy lives.”

“Linda Bryant who provides the coaching at Southfields does outstanding work with young boys and girls, and it would have been a huge loss to the whole of the community, if the sessions were stopped. In due course, we would intend to move the sessions to the new Community Sports Arena at Grace Road, but, in the interim, the support of the Council is very much appreciated.”

It has been agreed that Leicester City Council will provide the facilities at Southfields Drive Sports Centre free of charge to the Basketball Club and the Riders will cover the costs of the coach.

Councillor Palmer stated: “I am pleased we have found a solution and want to thank the Riders for stepping in. The City Council will be waiving the sports hall hire charge to give this project a boost for its first year. This is a good example of partnership working between the City Council and Leicester Riders.”

Councillor Clarke said: “This is a great solution to a problem that is recurring as local authority budgets are squeezed by central government. It is great the Riders were able to step in, and the Council was able to show flexibility.

Jon Ashworth visited Leicestershire County Cricket Ground to look at the exciting new plans for a transformational Community Sports Arena on the site.

This project is a partnership between the Leicester Riders Basketball Club, the County Cricket Club, and Leicester College.

The Arena will be largely focussed on mass participation sporting activities, primarily basketball and cricket. It will also be used for talent development of young boys and girls, as well as serving as the new home of the Leicester Riders. For events it will have seating for 2,000 spectators. Leicester College students will use the facilities for learning and training opportunities which will enhance both their course and enrichment activities.

Jon Ashworth said: “It is important that I find out more about this project, especially as the Arena is much needed in Leicester City. I am encouraged that the Arena will focus on the community which will bring numerous benefits, including health improvements, jobs and regeneration.”

“I am aware the Riders already have an immense and hugely valued outreach community programme, working with many schools and colleges in the City, as well as Health, the Police, Sport England, and other partners. This project will greatly enhance this community programme.”

The Arena is a £2.5m project and is subject to a funding bid to Sport England.

Councillor Adam Clarke, who organised the meeting, said:“The Arena is about so much more than sport. It will be a great asset for the community, and help tremendously in addressing the health challenges we face, as well as engaging with young people in the ward. It is important we do everything we can to smooth the path to making this important project a reality."