THE inaugural 'Great ROC Cake Party' will be taking place in June and July in aid ROC (Robert Owen Communities).

ROC supports people with learning disabilities and is appealing to local people and organisations to host cake parties during June and July, to help raise funds in support of the ROC Welcome Tavistock; a social club for people with learning disabilities in West Devon.

ROC Welcome Tavistock promotes social and emotional wellbeing — it is not a day service or a therapeutic activity centre.

Membership has grown to about 60 people, 40% of whom come from outlying villages.

The club currently meets on Thursday and Friday mornings at the Tavy Club and at various other locations.

The club is steadily developing into a hub of social opportunity in which the aspirations of members and community inclusion are among ROC's guiding principles.

The Bedford Hotel, which hosted the recent public launch of ROC Welcome Tavistock, is supporting ROC's cake party.

Simon Rowe, general manager, said: 'We have decided to hold our cake party fundraiser for ROC on the morning of Thursday, June 6.

'We invite both our regular customers and people who have never stepped inside our world.

'We hope they will then be inspired to hold cake parties of their own.'

Tim Roberts is a director of Tavistock Enterprise Hub (TEH) in Duke Street.

Tim said: 'Tavistock Enterprise Hub is passionate about supporting the community.  

'In holding a cake party at our facility we hope to generate funds to enable a group of ROC members to take part in a new and exciting experience which has the potential change their lives.'

Jane Anning, ROC Welcome Tavistock manager, said: 'I am delighted about ROC's cake party initiative.

'Just one cake party could enable ROC to take a group of club members for a taster trip to the cinema — complete with pre-film drinks in the pub!

'Ten cake parties could mean a summer outing for our older members, including transport, fish 'n' chips and a boat trip.'

Ann McDonald is a long standing volunteer of the club, which used to be run by Gateway MENCAP.

Ann said: 'I am delighted that ROC has taken over this club.

'ROC has great vision and is making a tremendous difference to the members of the club.

'Please help raise funds for the people we support by hosting a ROC Cake Party in June or July.

'Cake parties can be held at work, home, in schools – anywhere. This is a really simple event to arrange.'

l The Two Bridges Hotel on Dartmoor is generously supporting ROC's cake party initiative.

The hotel is kindly offering a fabulous prize for a draw in which the name of every cake party host will be entered. At stake is a superb one night stay for two, including a cream tea on arrival and a full English breakfast, worth £250.

The hotel is also offering a high tea for two as a second prize, worth £15.95 per head.

To register to host a fundraising cake party and automatically be entered for the prize draw, please visit http://www.roc-uk.org">www.roc-uk.org and click on the cake party link or phone 01803 868 550.

Once you have registered, you will have access to a range of materials to help make your event a great success.