MDF

"working with groups to remove the barriers that disable people"

MDF provides support for voluntary and community groups in Merseyside and the surrounding areas that are of and for disabled people. As an umbrella group our main aim is to build the capacity of groups: we help you so that you can be more effective in your work of breaking down the barriers faced by disabled people.

Our work is based on what our member organisations see as important for them. We regularly consult with our members about our priorities and the work that we should take forward.

What do we do?

• Strategic networking – we make sure that the voice of disabled people and their organisations are heard in regional, sub-regional and district strategy bodies.
• Local networking – we share best practice and other good (and bad) examples across Merseyside.
• Partnerships – we link voluntary, statutory and commercial organisations together so that issues affecting disabled people and their organisations can be tackled.
• Information – we answer specific questions from voluntary groups, and we produce a newsletter. MDF News keeps groups up-to-date with relevant changes in local and national policies and priorities, and alerts them to new opportunities, resources and potential problems.
• Research – we assemble statistics on the number and situation of disabled people and we carry out specific research projects that affect or involve disabled people and the voluntary sector.
• Support – we have distributed grants to voluntary groups in Merseyside where the results will benefit the development of disabled people. We help groups to access a wide range of other funding, training and development opportunities.