History

The William Merritt Disabled Living and Mobility Service was named after Councillor William Merritt S.R.N., R.M.N.

William Merritt was born in Sheepscar, Leeds.  He was employed as a Charge Nurse in the Geriatric Dept. at St. James' Hospital.  He trained in General Nursing at the Leeds General Infirmary and in Psychiatric Nursing at Menston Hospital, later known as High Royds Hospital.

Councillor Merritt was a member of the Confederation of Health Service Employees and he held a number of official posts.  He was elected to the City Council in May 1946 and from 1953 he represented Armley, New Wortley and City Ward respectively.

His main interest in the Council was in the field of Social Services and in 1953 he pioneered the development of the City's 'Welfare Scheme for the Disabled'.  Councillor Merritt encouraged the development of voluntary organisations for disabled people in the City.  He was a member of the Leeds National Health Service Executive Council and was Deputy Lord Mayor of Leeds in 1972.

During his time as Chairman of the Social Services Committee the proposal to launch the Centre was presented in 1979.  Unhappily William Merritt died before the Centre opened in 1981.  It was unanimously agreed that the Centre should bear his name in recognition of his work for disabled people over many years.