On Friday 24 October, Shadow Justice Minister and Hammersmith MP, Andy Slaughter, and Cllr Mercy Umeh, Mayor of Hammersmith and Fulham, visited Independent Age, the charity which helps older people across the UK through the ABC of advice, befriending and campaigning, to officially open its new office on Avonmore Road.
At the event, Mr Slaughter and Cllr Mercy Umeh, along with Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, Cllr Vivienne Lukey, met workers from the charity’s advice service. The charity provides in-depth expert knowledge and advice on social care, welfare benefits and befriending services to 4,000 older people and their families across the United Kingdom each year.
During the visit, they strengthened their understanding of the important work of the charity when they met a number of Independent Age’s service users to talk about the support each had received from the charity.
Janet Morrison, Chief Executive at Independent Age, said of the event, “We were delighted to have this opportunity to welcome Mr Slaughter, Cllr Umeh and Cllr Lukey to Independent Age to showcase our work of supporting older people up and down the UK.”
Andy Slaughter said, “With our ageing population, the number of older people needing advice, support and information on the issues they face will only grow. So I am delighted to join Independent Age in opening their new office, where they will continue the important work of the charity supporting older people throughout the UK.”
Notes to editor
For media enquiries, contact Rachel Hails on 020 7605 4266 or email rachel.hails@independentage.org
About Independent Age:
Founded 150 years ago, Independent Age is a growing charity helping older people across the UK and Ireland through the ‘ABC’ of advice, befriending and campaigning. We offer a free national telephone and email advice service focusing on social care, welfare benefits and befriending services, which is supported by a wide range of printed guides and factsheets. This is integrated with on-the-ground, local support, provided by a network of over 1,500 volunteers offering one-to-one and group befriending.
For more information, visit our website www.independentage.org Speak to one of our advisers for free and confidential advice and information. Lines are open Monday to Friday between 10am-4pm. Freephone 0800 319 6789 or email advice@independentage.org
Andy Slaughter MP
Andy Slaughter is the Member of Parliament for Hammersmith and Shadow Justice Minister on the Labour frontbench since October 2010. He was elected to his current seat in May 2010, having previously represented Ealing, Acton and Shepherds Bush from 2005. Previously he was a Hammersmith and Fulham Councillor from 1986-2006, including serving as Council leader from 1996-2005. His interests include international affairs, the Middle East, housing, education, health and transport. He is a leading supporter of Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East.
Cllr Mercy Umeh, Mayor of Hammersmith and Fulham
Councillor Mercy Umeh was elected to serve as Mayor on 16 June 2014 and previously served as Deputy Mayor from 2003-2006. She has represented Shepherds Bush Green since she was first elected to Hammersmith Council in 2002.
Cllr Vivienne Lukey, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care
Councillor Vivienne Lakey is a Councillor in Hammersmith and Fulham where she is the Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care. She has a masters degree in social work and over 30 years’ experience working in social services in central London. Before retiring she was Director of Specialist Social Care Services at Westminster City Council. She is Chair of Trustees at Hammersmith and Fulham Mind, a Trustee of Hammersmith United Charities and a Board member of Fulham Palace. She is also a Governor of a local nursery school. She has lived in the borough for over 30 years.