In this month’s ‘Driving Mobility Centre of the Month’ we take a look at the William Merritt Centre in Leeds

The William Merritt Centre (WMC) is a charity headed up by 9 trustees, the team is made up of 8 Occupational Therapists, 4 approved Driving Instructors, 1 Occupational Therapist Assistant, 5 support staff and a General Manager.

Their headquarters is in Leeds where they deliver assessments on all aspects of daily living, driving lessons and moving and handling courses for Healthcare Professionals in partnership with Back Exchange.

If you would like to take a tour of their centre, click this link: https://www.wmdlc.org/3d-tour-william-merritt-centre.

WMC also have a satellite Centres in York and Sheffield where they deliver driving assessments, passenger access assessments and driving lessons, we are hoping to expand our satellite Centre in Sheffield to also deliver PWMS (Powered Wheelchair & Mobility Scooter) assessments.

WMC was established 41 years ago during the ‘International Year of Disabled People’, and originally named as William Merritt Aids and Information Centre in memory of Councillor William Merritt. The Centre initially delivered assessments to assist in daily living including bathing, wheelchairs and walking aids.

In 1999 they introduced their driving assessment service to ensure safety and comfort for people when driving with a disability or medical condition.

Following on from that service’s success, they have also introduced:

Switches 4 Kidz (2007) which provides families and professionals with advice on adapted toys, switches and information on access to games consoles, computers, smart phones and tablets.

Tryb4uFly (2014) working in conjunction with QEF (Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People) to provide information and advice when flying with a disability.

Bugzi loan scheme (2015) with the help of MERU, offering a unique opportunity for pre-school children with disabilities to experience independent mobility, often for the first time in their lives.

Shopmobility service (2022) which provides the hire of scooters and powered/manual wheelchairs at the White Rose Centre as well as the Merrion Centre. This service enables people with limited mobility the opportunity to explore Leeds, contribute to the local economy and socialise with friends and family. Creating a platform for people to live independently.

This year the WMC team is very much looking forward to welcoming back their key partners and clients to their AccessAbility Exhibition in June, after having cancelled it 2 years in a row due to the covid-19 pandemic. The AccessAbility exhibition will showcase Assistive Technology, Equipment and Driving for disabled people of all ages, older people and healthcare professionals. You can find out more here: https://www.wmdlc.org/accessability-22-delegates

William Merritt Disabled Living Centre
Aire House, 100 Town Road, Rodley, Leeds, LS13 1HP

0113 350 8989
01133 508681
info@wmdlc.org
http://www.wmdlc.org

#MyDrivingMobility #DrivingAssessments #DisabledDrivers  #Leeds

 

The William Merritt Centre, part of the Driving Mobility network, is delighted to announce the return of its AccessAbility exhibition so healthcare professionals and people with disabilities can discover the latest in adapted driving, assistive technology and mobility equipment.

15th June 2022, Centenary Pavilion, Leeds United Football Club, LS11 0ES. 10.30am to 3:00pm.

The William Merritt Centre, also based in Leeds, is an independent charity accredited by Driving Mobility – a national charity supported by The Department for Transport. Driving Mobility co-ordinates over 20 centres, many with outreach facilities, that provide ‘fitness-to-drive’ and mobility equipment assessments. Clients self-refer or are signposted from the DVLA, Motability, Police and NHS.

AccessAbility will be a fully inclusive event, for all ages, and will include experiences such as:

• Options and advice on assistive equipment – opportunities to try products which can enhance everyday life and enable greater independence.
• All aspects of driving including vehicle adaptations, accessible vehicles and a test drive circuit with new and existing drivers in mind.
• Chill out in the gaming area including advice on adaptations to enable everyone to access computers, mobile phones, tablets, toys and computer games.
• Specialist seminars offering the latest education
• Opportunities to speak to Occupational Therapists for personalised guidance.

AccessAbility will provide a rewarding and fulfilling day out for:

• Children, teenagers and adults with disabilities (14 year+ for the drive test)
• Parents and carers
• Healthcare professionals
• Older people
• Approved Driving Instructors

It offers a unique opportunity to see and try a range of services for people with disabilities, all in one location.

Find out more here: https://www.wmdlc.org/accessability-22-delegates

Book your free ticket here: https://accessability22.eventbrite.co.uk

The second in a series of regional Get Going Live! events, focusing on accessible motoring and independent mobility, has successfully taken place at the William Merritt Centre’s annual AccessAbility exhibition in Leeds.

18th October. Centenary Pavilion, Leeds United Football Club. LS11 0ES.

The William Merritt Centre, based in Leeds and Sheffield, is one of twenty independent organisations, many with satellite centres, which offer professional information, advice and driving assessments for people seeking assistance with mobility. Supported and accredited by Driving Mobility, all centres are staffed by Occupational Therapists as well as Approved Driving Instructors so that safety and driving solutions for individuals with injuries, disabilities or restricted mobility are maximised. As well as conducting assessments on behalf of the DVLA, Motability and healthcare professionals, Driving Mobility accepts self-referrals.

Previously a feature of the national Mobility Roadshow which closed in 2017, Get Going Live! relaunched for the first time in early October 2018, at the Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People (QEF), a Driving Mobility centre in Carshalton.

This latest event, hosted by the William Merritt Centre, proved popular all day with both young and older individuals, with existing or progressive conditions, benefitting from free test drives and independent, professional advice. Teenagers, from the age of 14, were provided with unique opportunities to trial adapted vehicles for the first time, in safe surroundings, enabling vital preparations for future driving with a long-term condition or disability. Vehicle manufacturers showcased their latest products as part of the Get Going Live! feature and also within the AccessAbility exhibition itself, allowing event visitors to discover suitable options for assisted and independent motoring.

David Blythe, William Merritt Centre Manager, comments: “We are delighted that our annual AccessAbility exhibition, incorporating Get Going Live! has been so well attended by both visitors and exhibitors. The Get Going Live! feature offered our visitors fantastic opportunities to try adapted and accessible vehicles, accompanied by a specialist driving instructor. This unique experience allows end-users of all ages to make informative decisions regarding safer driving as well as vehicle purchasing and adaptations.”

The wider AccessAbility exhibition successfully showcased new and innovative assistive technology and equipment from leading specialist suppliers. A number of charities were in attendance providing one-to-one advice and information for disabled children and adults or those with additional needs. The exhibition also offered a special gaming area showcasing adaptations which enable access to computers, mobile phones, tablets, toys and computer games whilst providing an area to chill out and have fun.

David Blythe concludes: “The Centenary Pavilion at Leeds United Football Ground has provided an amazing setting for a showcase of assistive products and services that enable people to live with greater independence. We wish to thank everyone involved in organising this rewarding event and look forward to a positive future for both the AccessAbility exhibition and Get Going Live! events.”