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
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
Chief Executive Officer
William Merritt Disabled Living Centre is seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation through its next phase of development and growth.
As Chief Executive Officer, you will work closely with the Board of Trustees and Senior Management Team to provide strategic leadership, ensure long-term sustainability and deliver meaningful impact for service users.
You will inherit an organisation with a proud history, an outstanding reputation, established services and ambitious plans for the future. The next chapter will focus on strengthening governance and organisational infrastructure, enhancing commercial and income generation capability, making effective use of technology and data, and ensuring the organisation has the people, systems and processes required to support a sustainable and ambitious future.
As CEO, you will be accountable to the Board of Trustees for the leadership, strategic direction, financial sustainability, governance and performance of the organisation. You will provide visible, values led leadership, ensuring services remain high quality, inclusive and client-centered, while helping to develop the leadership capacity, organisational resilience and commercial capability needed for the future.
This is an opportunity not only to lead a successful charity and social enterprise, but to shape its future direction and influence the lives of thousands of people who rely on its services.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide visible, values led leadership across the organisation
- Develop and deliver the organisation’s vision, mission and strategic objectives
- Ensure the highest standards of governance, compliance and risk management
- Lead financial sustainability, commercial development and income generation
- Foster a high performing, inclusive and collaborative organisational culture
- Strengthen relationships with commissioners, funders, partners and stakeholders
- Drive innovation and continuous improvement across all services
- Act as the principal ambassador for the organisation locally, regionally and nationally
- Support and develop the Senior Management Team to deliver exceptional outcomes
- Ensure services remain client-centred, accessible and focused on improving independence and quality of life
To apply and for more information, please visit Castlefield Recruitment.
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.