Celebrating Independent Lives
Merton CIL is a grassroots
organisation run and controlled by
disabled people.
We aim to ensure disabled people
take control over their lives
and achieve full participation in
Merton & the wider society.

Our Aims
• To promote the independence and inclusion of disabled
and deaf people in Merton
• Challenge discrimination facing disabled and deaf
people in Merton
• Encourage disabled and deaf people and supporters to
achieve change locally
Merton CIL will celebrate the broad diversity of disabled and
deaf people whatever their ethnic background, age, gender,
sexual identity as well as people with mental health needs
who often face additional barriers to inclusion.
Membership
Who can become a member?
Any disabled or deaf person, carer, or supporter who
subscribes to the aims of Merton CIL
How can I join?
By completing a membership form available from our
website, by email or by phone
What do I get as a member?
Membership entitles you to receive regular updates, to have
a say in our work, and to vote at annual general meetings
of the CIL
Why is it important to become a member?
The more members we represent the more powerful our
combined voice when it comes to advocating for services to
better meet our needs

Peer Support Programme
We are training up local volunteers with lived experience of
disability to offer support and coaching to disabled and deaf
people in Merton. We do not make decisions for you, but
help you to set goals and take the steps you want to take in
your own way and your own time.
Contact us to apply, no referral needed.
Information and Advice Service
We are developing an advice and information service for
disabled and deaf people in Merton and their carers and
supporters. This will include outreach surgeries around the
borough and we can visit you at home if needed.
Find out more on our website.
Future Plans
We are guided by the needs and opinions of our members.
Please get in touch to share your views

Why do You Need a CIL?
We believe in the social model of disability, which means
that when we talk about disabled people, we mean how
society disabled us by the way that it treats and excludes
us, whatever our impairment. We focus on how and where
society fails to include disabled and deaf people through
disabling attitudes and barriers, and we aim to reduce those
barriers.
What can a CIL do?
• Provide information and support
• To increase independence
• To support members to have their voices heard
• Champion the right to fully participate in life and
exercise choice and control
Contact Us
To find out more about what we do, or how you can get
involved, contact Lyla:
0744 936 2233 @MertonCIL
info@mertoncil.org.uk Mertoncil
www.mertoncil.org.uk Merton.cil
Merton CIL is a company limited by
guarantee. Company number 7645926
Working towards registered charitable status