Forward Mid Logo

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forward Mid Logo looks like a knitted fabric top green and the bottom blue is a right pointing arrow with Forward underlined in green and Mid underlined in blue.

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Forward Mid


About Forward Mid

Forward Mid is a group of active, purposeful, energised, skilled Disabled People working effectively and consistently with a team approach to promote full equality and an equal life for Disabled People living in Midlothian and beyond.


Forward Mid work in partnership with disabled individuals and communities, Voluntary Sector, Public and Private Sector organisations in pursuing our goals.


Forward Mid would like to hear comments about this website or any of the work we undertake for Physically disabled people in Midlothian, you can write a review about Forward Mid on our Facebook Page www.facebook.com/forwardmid/ or Comment on any post.

Forward Mid is a group of active, purposeful, energised, skilled Disabled People working effectively with a team approach.


Our aim is to ensure that disabled people are always treated with dignity and respect as full and active, equal citizens and to secure equality and human rights for disabled people living in Midlothian and beyond.


How we will succeed in achieving our Aims.

By sharing information on issues that affect disabled people.


To do this Forward Mid publishes;

  • Bi-monthly newsletters,
  • Newsletter ‘specials’ e.g. an annual transport newsletter,
  • a guide to SDS,
  • The jewel in our information crown, an annually updated directory, which signposts disabled people, people with long-term conditions, carers, health and social work professionals, Midlothian Councillors and MSP's, to a range of useful services and information available to disabled people and carers resident in Midlothian.

By actively promoting the rights of disabled people.


Forward Mid campaign for the rights of physically disabled people living in Midlothian since 2005. Evolving into a Disabled People’s Organisation that embraces the philosophy of Independent Living which is defined as: ‘all disabled people having the same   freedom, choice, dignity  and  control   as other citizens at home, a work and in the community. It does not necessarily mean living by yourself or fending for yourself. It means rights to practical assistance and support to participate in society and live an ordinary life.’ We introduced this philosophy to the Joint Physical Disability Planning Group, and it has shaped the Group’s action plan over the last 5 years.


By working in partnership with public and private sector organisation’s in representing the interests of disabled people.


  • Forward Mid have representatives on several public-sector groups including Midlothian’s Joint Physical Disability Planning Group and Midlothian’s Joint Integration Board.
  • In the private sector Forward Mid is working in partnership with organisations as diverse as Edinburgh College and Dobbies Garden Centre.
  • In the 3rd sector we have links including those with Midlothian Access panel, Midlothian Local Area Co-ordinators and Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living.

Forward Mid Directory

Forward Mid Directory

Front page of Directory 2024There is an old adage that says ‘Information is power.’


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The front page of the directory, text in Green a white background, with the stiched Forwad Mid Logo. Midlothian Directory for Disabled People and People with long-term Conditions 2024.

This is certainly true for disabled people. Without correct, relevant and up to date information disabled people can become isolated, unable to exercise their rights, receive the support they need and make their own choices on how they want to live.


I know from personal experience the helplessness and frustration I felt when I suddenly became disabled 10 years ago. Who could help me with the mysteries of the benefits system? Who could I contact for help and support? Who could help me live an ordinarily life? Where can I get this information?


The purpose of the Forward Mid directory is to help disabled people, their families or carers find practical, useful information which could improve their lives. To find answers to the same questions I had 10 years ago as well as solutions to the everyday problems which still seem part of the territory for disabled people.


This is by no means an exhaustive list of contacts that have all the answers but I’m sure that if the group or organisation you contact can’t help you then they will know someone who can.


Quote 1.
Laura Cunningham Parliamentary Assistant Colin Beattie MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh
“It is so important that people living with disabilities in Midlothian are able to access the support and services they need and this directory is a huge help in doing this. I would like to thank everyone who spent time putting together and maintaining this vital resource.”

Quote 2.
Jeremy R Balfour MSP for Lothians (Conservative)
“This Directory is a superb resource for disabled individuals and the Third Sector. It’s a one stop guide that covers the whole of Midlothian, with accurate and reliable information.”


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Forward Mid Newsletter

Forward Mid Newsletters


Forward Mid release a newsletter approximately every two months, previous issues are laid out in year of issue from the links on the menu they are laid out year by year, you can either download a pdf or view the newsletter on the website. we hope that you find them enjoyable. If you have something to say or if you wish for other people to know your story, good or bad, then please send them to Forward Mid in one of these four ways: First way click this link for e-mailing Forward Mid. Second way, phone Eric Johnstone on telephone logo : 0131-663-9471. Third way, you can post the story to Forward Mid at Eric Johnstone, Forward Mid, 4-6 White Hart Street, Dalkeith, EH22 1AE. Fourth way, E-mail your story to Eric at email symbol : eric.johnstone@mvacvs.org.uk


Newsletters will be on the Website for 5 years, all newsletter older than this can be found on the Newsletter Archive section in PDF format only. A request for a paper copy of older newsletters can br made to Eric Johnstone Tel: telephone logo : 0131-663-9471


The Forward Mid newsletters will appear on the website and can be read using a text to speech screen reader you can download a free version at www.naturalreaders.com. All the newsletters have been checked against this screen reader


Forward Mid Publications


Publications from Forward Mid these publications come from many sectors, they are not produced by Forward Mid, and they are relevant to disabled people.


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Local Information

This section of the website will lay out what is available for people in Midlothian, what is happening locally in Midlothian.

  • It will keep you posted about what is happening in the local access panel
  • It will help you find out about courses that happen locally and also in Edinburgh
  • You can find a local Area Co-ordinator and all their contact details
  • It informs you in detail about local groups and whet they have to offer

There is an old adage that says ‘Information is power.’


This is certainly true for disabled people. Without correct, relevant and up to date information disabled people can become isolated, unable to exercise their rights, receive the support they need and make their own choices on how they want to live.


I know from personal experience the helplessness and frustration I felt when I suddenly became disabled 10 years ago. Who could help me with the mysteries of the benefits system? Who could I contact for help and support? Who could help me live an ordinarily life? Where can I get this information?


Forward Mid LogoThe purpose of this local information is to help disabled people, their families or carers find practical, useful information which could improve their lives. To find answers to the same questions I had 10 years ago as well as solutions to the everyday problems which still seem part of the territory for disabled people.


This is by no means an exhaustive list of information that has all the answers but I’m sure that if the group or organisation you contact can’t help you then they will know someone who can. If you have some local information you wish to share, please contact Forward Mid.


Jeff Adamson
Chair Forward Mid

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Getting Around Midlothian


What most able bodied people take for granted, a disabled person must take time and plan every thing through.


a wheelchair ramp access built into stairsA wheelchair user using a non standard size wheelchair trying to book a taxi will have to request a taxi that they can alight. Using the bus has given a wheelchair user a massive amount of freedom, and Lothian Buses have to be congratulated for the service they deliver, if the one wheelchair space has already been taken then another wheelchair user will have to wait for the next bus with a wheelchair space that is vacant.


Forward Mid has worked with Midlothian Travel Team, to bring you routes bus travel in Midlothian, a list of Taxi and private hire car companies, information about travelling outside Midlothian, Outside Scotland and outside the United Kingdom.


Forward Mid working with Midlothian Council have also brought to you list of public and private parking blue badge parking spaces, laid out by town, the police, traffic wardens and council appointed officials have the right to check a blue badge, to use a blue badge legally the holder of the blue badge must be present in the vehicle, with one exception, if the holder is being delivered to or collected from a hospital. Please be courteous when asked for a blue badge check the person asking is trying to help keep disabled parking bays for people that really need them, and it only takes a second.



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Conditions & Disabilities

Help, information & support

Forward Mid have gathered a list of conditions, informing you of support groups and NHS information pages and if the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency need to be informed.


If you spot an a missing medical condition and know of a support group please let Forward Mid know.


No not all disabilities can be seen, most people with disabilities walk amongst us without any outward sign of a disability. It is a fact that a lot of people do not know they have a disability.


If you acquire an impairment which disables you, who can you contact for information on my specific disability?


The links in the this section are for help with impairments and their respective website’s. They are laid out alphabetically by Medical name.


Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Coronavirus now integrated into conditions.


What are disabilities?

Disabilities fall into three categories, learning disabilities, mental health difficulties and physical disabilities. The Forward Mid group is for people with physical disabilities.


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Informative links!

Forward Mid Have located some very useful web site links for disabled people, they are from official disabled web sites and voluntary disabled web site. There is included a short note to indicate what you might find. They are laid out alphabetically.


If you know of any web sites that you think people with disabilities might find useful please contact Iain Tait; please supply the name of the web site and the web site address and a little information about the web site and complete the form. Once it has been checked that it is useful for disabled people it will be added. If you require conformation on it being added or if it is rejected and you wish to know why leave a contact detail.


Contact Information
Write to Iain Tait c/o Forward Mid
4-6 White Hart Street
Dalkeith EH22 1AE
Midlothian
Email: email symbol : IainTait_01@protonmail.com


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Contact Forward Mid

Thank you for taking the time to contact Forward Mid, We aim to reply as quick as possible, If required. In able to provide you with the feedback you have requested.

If you prefer you can contact Eric by Email email symbol : eric.johnstone@mvacvs.org.uk

You can Contact Forward Mid by writing to: Forward Mid
4-6 White Hart Street
Dalkeith EH22 1AE
Midlothian.
Tel: telephone logo : 0131-663-9471

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