Infrastructure organisations are voluntary groups whose job is to support other voluntary groups. In the Merseyside area they have available a range of access equipment – things such as hearing loops and text phones, which can help break down barriers for disabled people who want to make use of their services.

Some of this equipment is in their offices – some of it is available for loan or for hire by other groups. These organisations are committed to continuously improving their services for disabled people.

To see the current list of equipment click here.

The organisations in the list are members of Greater Merseyside ChangeUp Consortium.

ChangeUp is the Home Office Capacity Building and Infrastructure Framework that looks forward to 2014, with the aim that:

… the needs of frontline voluntary and community organisations will be met by support which is available nationwide, structured for maximum efficiency, offering excellent provision which is accessible to all while reflecting and promoting diversity.

The Merseyside Changeup Consortium comprises the principal infrastructure bodies that serve frontline organisations, whether locally or throughout Merseyside.

In 2006, ChangeUp asked Merseyside Disability Federation to carry out a survey of access equipment around the area. This survey is regularly updated and the latest list of available equipment can be found by clicking here.

• Please note carefully any restrictions – for example, some organisations are only able to make equipment available in their own District.

• To use the equipment found on that list, please get in touch with the named contact – or with the general number or email of the organisation that owns the equipment. MDF is not able to make bookings for loans or hire – you need to deal directly with the organisation that owns the equipment.

• Equipment of this type is also available for hire from companies at commercial rates. The purpose of our list is to share resources between charities and other voluntary and community groups. Commercial organisations that need access equipment should contact commercial suppliers in the first instance – or be prepared to offer full commercial rates if they approach organisations on this list.

The list is updated regularly – if you find any errors please tell the organisation that owns the equipment. Please also tell us if you know of other organisations that have equipment like this that voluntary groups can hire or can borrow and that we should add to this list. Contact us by emailing Gina here.

NB Information on this list is provided to MDF by the organisations that own the equipment: MDF is not responsible for any errors or inaccuracies in that information