Our Centre
The William Merritt Disabled Living Centre is a registered charity: number 513001, and a charitable company limited by guarantee: number 01638939.
We offer impartial advice and assessments for people of all ages living with a disability or long-term condition to help them achieve greater independence and fulfilment. From medical fitness-to-drive assessments, to scooters, stair lifts and much more, we help people make good choices to enhance daily living. Most, but not all, assessments are free of charge. Please look at the Services section of this website.
We are a member of Driving Mobility. As a regional centre, we offer car access assessments for drivers and passengers, fitness-to-drive assessments and driving lessons in our adapted vehicles.
Our latest Annual Report
History
The William Merritt Disabled Living Centre was named after Councillor William Merritt SRN, RMN who served for many years as a charge nurse in the geriatric department at St. James’ Hospital, Leeds. He was elected to the City Council in May 1946.
His main interest at the Council was in social services and in 1953 he pioneered the development of the city’s Welfare Scheme for the Disabled. He was a member of the Leeds NHS Executive Council and was Deputy Lord Mayor of Leeds in 1972.
In 1980, during his time as Chairman of the Council’s social services committee, it was agreed to establish the Centre. Unhappily William Merritt died before it opened in 1981 and it was unanimously agreed that the Centre should bear his name in recognition of his work for disabled people over many years. The opening was, appropriately, during the International Year of Disabled People, and at first the Centre used two former wards of St Mary’s Hospital in Armley. After 36 happy years, in 2017 it moved to its present, more suitable building, in Rodley.
The Centre’s founders were Professor Anne Chamberlain OBE, Arthur Goldthope OBE and Derek James OBE. Professor Chamberlain is currently Vice Chair of the board of trustees and Chair of its Clinical Advisory Group.
Our team
The William Merritt Disabled Living Centre is led by CEO David Blythe, supported by an experienced team of occupational therapists, driving instructors and administrators.
Senior staff include:
Lauren Harris, Driving Assessment Services Manager
Rachel Hirst, Adult Occupational Therapist Lead
Charlotte Lunn, Paediatric Occupational Therapist Lead
Jayne Sorrell, Driving School Lead
Tracy Waldron, Business Services Manager
Hannah Davy, Administration Manager
Lee Moxon-Webb, ADI Driver Assessor Lead
The board of trustees has wide experience in social services and healthcare as well as lived experience of disability. The Chair to the board is Rachel Beverley-Stevenson, and Vice Chair is Kieran Preston OBE, The Honorary Treasurer is David Bruce.
Specialist Committees include:
Clinical Advisory Group – Chaired by Professor Anne Chamberlain, OBE.
Policy & Procedure Review Group – Chaired by Margaret Faulkner.
Head of Charity Fundraising – Chaired by Jan Spencer
Board members:
Rachel Beverley-Stevenson
David Bruce
Anne Chamberlain, OBE
Maggie Faulkner
Paramita Ghosh
Keith Murray
Kieran Preston, OBE
Nicola Prior
Jan Spencer
Denis Sutcliffe
Attending board meetings:
Councillor Kevin Ritchie – Leeds City Council
Join us
Please use this page to see our latest opportunities for volunteering, jobs and trustees.
Volunteers
We are always looking for volunteers to join us, who are valued members of our team. If you have experience in administration, building maintenance, gardening or organising events please contact the Centre.
Job opportunities
Driver Assessor – Occupational Therapist (Maternity Cover – 12 Months)
Location: Sheffield, with outreach clinics in Doncaster
Salary: Salary negotiable and dependent upon experience + pension
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, worked Monday to Thursday, with some hybrid working permitted
Contract: Fixed-term maternity cover for 12 months
Start Date: ASAP
End Date: 12 months after start date
We are seeking an enthusiastic and adaptable Occupational Therapist to join our Driver Assessment Team on a 12-month maternity cover contract. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a highly specialist service supporting individuals with a wide range of physical, neurological and cognitive conditions. Full training will be provided.
For an informal discussion about the role or to arrange a visit, please contact:
Lauren Harris
Email: lharris@wmdlc.org
Experienced Occupational Therapist
Job Title: Occupational Therapist
Department: William Merritt Centre, General Assessment Services (Adults and Children)
Location: Aire House, 100 Town St, Rodley, Leeds LS13 1HP
Salary: £37,000 – £39,959 depending on experience + pension, pro rata for part-time hours
Work Pattern: 22.5 hours/week over 3 days
Closing Date: 11/10/2026
Interview Date: 20/10/2026
We are looking for an Occupational Therapist who wants to develop their skills and knowledge in adult and paediatric assessments, which include delivering Occupational Therapy Assessments at outreach centres across the region, including powered wheelchair, mobility scooter, passenger access, car seat and car seat safety assessments (travel time to outreach centres to be included within working hours).
If you are interested, and would like further information please contact:
Rachel Hirst, Lead Adult Occupational Therapist or Charlotte Lunn, Lead Paediatric Occupational Therapist
Tel: 0113 350 8989
Email: info@wmdlc.org
Trustee opportunities
The William Merritt Disabled Living Centre is governed by a Board of Trustees, which meets minimum bi‑monthly. The Trustees provide strategic oversight and leadership, ensuring the Centre operates in line with its charitable objectives. They are responsible for setting the organisation’s vision, approving strategy and policies, and monitoring performance, compliance, and financial sustainability to ensure effective and accountable management of the Centre.
If you would like more information or an application pack, please contact the Centre.