About us

The origins of Mae Murray Foundation are rooted in the birth of Talia McDowell – the daughter of our chairperson and founder, Alix Crawford. Born in 1999 and diagnosed with quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, Talia and Alix have faced significant social exclusion and isolation.

Alix established Mae Murray Foundation in 2016 with just 20 families, named in memory of Alix’s late mother, Mae Murray, to represent the positive, solutions based and inclusive ethos she herself upheld. Today membership numbers over 1400 families as members (over 4000 people), a measure of the need for and relevance of this work.

The Mae Murray Foundation is a lived-experience membership led organisation, set up to allow people of all ages and abilities to take part in activities, experience the world and enjoy friendship together in an inclusive environment. We recognise one another to be of equal and inseparable value, regardless of: - physical or learning ability; sensory, medical or other need, age or caring role.  We are particularly focused on addressing the participation of people with more complex needs whose requirements are often overlooked.

Our work includes delivering a range of innovative all-ability projects for different age groups, as well as introducing solutions into everyday environments, breaking down barriers to participation. Beaches are one such environment and the focus of this document.

Mae Murray Foundation launched Northern Ireland’s first beach access and participation solution, at Benone Beach in 2017, in partnership with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. This work has evolved into the development of an Inclusive Beach model by Mae Murray Foundation, through the launch and operation of four further beaches together with beach operating partners. 

The Mae Murray Foundation vision is to create an inclusive society.

Our mission is to improve quality of life, through participation of all-abilities together.