MP Smith backs campaign to support the elderly
A Black Clountry MP has backed a global campaign to raise awareness of the importance of supporting older people to remain healthy for longer.
Eleanor Smith joined MPs from across the House in support of WE100, a global campaign by leading science and technology company Merck.
The Labour MP for Wolverhampton South West committed to 'trying something new' to launch the campaign, and posed with a saxophone on a special WE100 bench in Parliament Square.
Research commissioned by Merck found that 50 per cent of people admitted they were put off doing new things as they got older, which can have a negative impact on health.
The campaign challenges how society views an ageing society by implementing initiatives and social activities focused on promoting quality of life for older people and maintaining physical activity in older age.
Mrs Smith said: “The UK needs to start thinking now about the social impact of an ageing society and how we ensure that a longer life means a healthy life.
“Campaigns like WE100 do a vital job in highlighting the challenges – but also the opportunities – of an ageing society.
"There are several messages and initiatives which I know will resonate with my constituents and I very much support Merck in raising this important issue.”
Heidi Greslé, General Manager UK & Ireland Cluster, Merck Consumer Health said:
“The philosophy behind WE100 is rooted in the belief that if people live longer, doing so as healthily as possible needs to be a top priority for all generations.
