On Tuesday 13 November, Shadow Justice Minister and Hammersmith MP, Andy Slaughter, visited the offices of Independent Age, the charity which provides an information and advice service for older people, their families and carers.
Mr Slaughter met workers from the charity’s advice service, which supports older people across the United Kingdom with in-depth expert knowledge and advice on navigating the social care system. The charity also focuses on alleviating loneliness by offering befriending services, which are facilitated by its invaluable network of volunteers. Last year alone, the charity helped over 11,000 older people with our range of advice, information, befriending and social activity services.
Independent Age Chief Executive, Janet Morrison, said: “We were delighted to be able to welcome Mr Slaughter to our office to see the steps we are taking to address the “three poverties” of choice, income and social contact, which affect so many older people today.”
During his visit, Mr Slaughter met a local older person – Miss Sheila Breen-Rickerby – who talked about the support she had received from the charity, as well as two of the charity’s volunteers.
Miss Breen-Rickerby said “I found the visit most informative: it was a wonderful opportunity to see the wide range of experience and knowledge of Independent Age staff.”
Federica Wilk, a volunteer, said “It was particularly interesting to find out more about the policies that Independent Age is striving to achieve. It has encouraged me to continue in my volunteering efforts.”
Another volunteer, Sean Adamson, added “It was really good to meet my local MP and to share with him my experiences as a volunteer; it was encouraging that he has an interest in older people’s issues and is supportive of what we do.”
Mr Slaughter said “There has never been a greater need for information and advice for older people, and this will only increase over the years so I was thrilled to see firsthand the work that Independent Age is doing, bringing thousands of older people advice, expertise and friendship.”
For free and confidential advice and information on home care, care homes, going into hospital and other related issues you can speak to an Independent Age adviser on 0845 262 1863 from Monday to Friday between 10am - 4pm.
To reach and support as many older people as possible we always welcome new volunteers to join our befriending service. For further information regarding our befriending scheme please contact either the London Area Manager, Gina Meyer, on 020 8858 2423 or for national enquiries please contact Independent Age on 020
Notes to editor
For media enquiries, contact Caroline Moye on 07545 209 589 or email caroline.moye@independentage.org
About Independent Age:
Independent Age is a unique and growing charity, providing information, advice and support for thousands of older people across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. It has recently merged with two other older people’s charities, Counsel and Care and Universal Beneficent Society, to provide a broader range of services than any of the charities could provide separately. For more information, visit our website www.independentage.org
Speak to one of our advisers for free and confidential advice and information on home care, care homes, going into hospital and other related issues. Lines are open Monday to Friday between 10am - 4pm. Call 0845 262 1863 or email advice@independentage.org
About Andy Slaughter MP
Andy Slaughter is the Member of Parliament for Hammersmith and Shadow Justice Minister on the Labour frontbench. He was previously Leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council from 1996 to 2005. He was first elected to Parliament in May 2005 to represent Ealing, Acton and Shepherd’s Bush and since May 2010 he has represented Hammersmith in Parliament. In October 2010 he was appointed Shadow Justice Minister.