City Bridge Trust awards Merton CIL £247,000 to tackle poverty, inequality and increase independence with local Deaf & Disabled People.
May 2021
Photo – Trustees and Volunteers of Merton CIL
You can download a PDF of this press release here - Merton CIL - City Bridge Trust Award Press Release May 2021
You can also see us featured in The Wimbledon Times here - https://www.wimbledontimes.co.uk/news/19296680.city-bridge-trust-awards-merton-cil-massive-grant/
Over the next 5 years, City Bridge Trust – the City of London Corporation’s charity funder – will help Merton CIL to increase independence and inclusion for the local Deaf and Disabled community in Merton after awarding the organisation £247,300 to continue delivering and developing an accredited, person centred and accessible home visiting advice and advocacy service.
Stark health inequalities during the pandemic brought to the forefront, an increased need for specialist advice around health and healthcare. In 2019, we conducted in-depth research into the housing needs of local Deaf and Disabled people, we found that there is a clear need for disability specific housing advice. The generous grant from City Bridge Trust enables us to provide much needed health support from April 2021 and to work towards re-opening our housing advice service in late 2021.
“We are delighted to have received such a generous award from City Bridge Trust to provide quality disability specific advice and advocacy support. The grant allows us to work with even more local Deaf and Disabled people, as well as adequately respond to their current needs.” - Stuart Butler, Advice & Advocacy Service Manager
Merton CIL operates from a position of lived experience and local Deaf and Disabled people shape our services. Now more than ever accessible and expert support is needed for Deaf and Disabled. It is great to be able to increase our offering and support more Deaf and Disabled people in Merton.
“This funding will enable Merton CIL to continue its vital work in the community. It means the charity can do even more to help deaf and disabled residents build their financial security and resilience and improve their ability to live independently and make informed decisions about issues affecting their lives.” - City Bridge Trust Chairman Giles Shilson
ENDS
About Merton Centre for Independent Living (Merton CIL): Merton CIL is an organisation run and controlled by Deaf and Disabled People, delivering supportive services for Deaf and Disabled People living within The London Borough of Merton - www.mertoncil.org.uk
About City Bridge Trust: The City of London Corporation’s charity funder was founded in 1995 and gives £25m a year to charities fighting inequality and disadvantage in London. - https://www.citybridgetrust.org.uk/
For more information contact:
Charlet Wilson – Communications & Office Manager
Email: info@mertoncil.org.uk
Telephone: 0779 671 2502 - 0203 397 3119