There are thousands of active charities and voluntary organisations in the UK. They work to improve the lives of people, animals and the environment in many different ways. They include charities working with older people (such as Age UK), with children (for example, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)), and with the homeless (for example, Crisis and Shelter)

Northern Ireland has a national saint, called a patron saint: St Patrick. St Patrick’s Day (17 March) is an official holiday in Northern Ireland. Events are held across Northern Ireland and the rest of the country, especially where there are a lot of people of Northern Irish and Irish heritage.

Most citizens of the UK, the Irish Republic or the Commonwealth aged 18 or over can stand for public office.

The police force is a public service that helps and protects everyone, no matter what their background or where they live.

In AD 43 the Emperor Claudius led the Roman army that was successful in occupying almost all of Britain.

Some words in modern English - for example, ‘park’ and ‘beauty’ - are based on Norman French words. Others - for example, ‘apple’, ‘cow’ and ‘summer’ - are based on Anglo-Saxon words.

The House of Lords checks laws that have been passed by the House of Commons to ensure they are fit for purpose. It also holds the government to account to make sure that it is working in the best interests of the people. The House of Commons has powers to overrule the House of Lords, but these are not used often.

When Elizabeth I died in 1603 her heir was her cousin James VI of Scotland. He became King James I of England, Wales and Ireland but Scotland remained a separate country.

Snowdonia is a national park in North Wales. It covers an area of 838 square miles (2,170 square kilometres). Its most well-known landmark is Snowdon, which is the highest mountain in Wales.

In 1940, German forces defeated allied troops and advanced through France. At this time of national crisis, Winston Churchill became Prime Minister and Britain’s war leader.

Between 1870 and 1914, around 120,000 Russian and Polish Jews came to Britain to escape persecution. Many settled in London’s East End and in Manchester and Leeds.

In 1945 the British people elected a Labour government. The new Prime Minister was Clement Attlee, who promised to introduce the welfare state outlined in the Beveridge Report.

Charles I entered the House of Commons and tried to arrest five parliamentary leaders, but they had been warned and were not there. No monarch has set foot in the Commons since.

Some of the best-known poets are buried or commemorated in Poet’s Corner in Westminster Abbey.

Henry Purcell (1659-95) was the organist at Westminster Abbey. He wrote church music, operas and other pieces, and developed a British style distinct from that elsewhere in Europe. He continues to be influential on British composers.

UK laws ensure that people are not treated unfairly in any area of life or work because of their age, disability, sex, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sexuality or marital status.

The times following the Bill of Rights of 1689 was also an important time for the development of a free press (newspapers and other publications which are not controlled by the government). From 1695, newspapers were allowed to operate without a government licence. Increasing numbers of newspapers began to be published.

There are devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that have the power to legislate on certain issues.

The major political parties are the Conservative Party, the Labour Party, the Liberal Democrats, or one of the parties representing Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish interests.

A lot of people in the UK have pets such as cats or dogs. Vaccinations and medical treatment for animals are available from veterinary surgeons (vets). There are charities which may help people who cannot afford to pay a vet.

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson is an athlete who uses a wheelchair and won 16 Paralympic medals, including 11 gold medals, in races over five Paralympic Games. She won the London Marathon six times and broke a total of 30 world records.

West Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands formed the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1957. At first the UK did not wish to join the EEC but it eventually did so in 1973. Note: The UK formally left the European Union on 31 January 2020.

Northern Ireland and Scotland have their own banknotes, which are valid everywhere in the UK. However, shops and businesses do not have to accept them.

If you wish to be a permanent resident or citizen of the UK, you should: respect and obey the law; respect the rights of others; including their right to their own opinions; treat others with fairness; look after yourself and your family; look after the area in which you live and the environment.