Shaw Trust has announced that it will join forces with the Disabled Living Foundation in November of this year.
The DLF will become a part of the Shaw Trust, but will retain its name, identity and staff following the merger.
The Shaw Trust said the merger will create new opportunities for both organisations and see the development of DLF’s information, advice and training.
It added that it will mean that the Shaw Trust can develop its advisory services, such as information, guidance and sign-posting for those it currently supports, and to a much wider community.
The merger will mean a new legal structure in which Shaw Trust assumes legal responsibility for DLF. An advisory board, made up of DLF and Shaw Trust trustees, will be in place to guide and oversee the current work and developments. This group will report into the Shaw Trust board of trustees.
Roy O'Shaughnessy, chief executive of Shaw Trust, said: "Today's announcement means that both charities can better target expertise and resources to help more disabled people gain employment.
"DLF's knowledge base will also complement our work to empower people facing disadvantage to improve skills and build a better future."
Chris Shaw, chief executive of the DLF, said: "The partnership will boost advisory services and reach out to more disabled and disadvantaged people. We are also committed to ensuring our trusted face-to-face and online services, which are popular with our clients, continue under the partnership agreement."
In response to being asked why a the merger is taking place, a spokesman from Shaw Trust said: "Like any company or charity, DLF cannot stand still. It set out its strategy to double the reach of its work two years ago. It needs to do so on a sustainable basis.
"The DLF board has led a proactive search for like-minded charities with which to create this expansion. The merger with Shaw Trust provides the best chance to increase the reach of DLF’s mission in the years ahead."
The DLF, which provides advice, information and training on independent living, had an income of £940,000 in the year ending March 2013, which follows a gradual decrease from £1.8m in 2010.
The Shaw Trust previously merged with the Careers Development Group in 2012. It had an income of £96.5m and employed 1,358 people, according to its most recent accounts.
