A DEVON-based charity which runs vital drop-in centres in Tavistock for people with learning disabilities is appealing for help from the public.

Robert Owen Communities (ROC) began running the Welcome Clubs last summer, taking on the work which had been done for many years by committed volunteers for Mencap.

More than 50 people attend the clubs, which are run at the Alexander Centre on Thursday and Friday mornings, and on Thursday evenings, normally at the Red & Black Club.

The clubs provide an opportunity for people with learning disabilities to drop in for a drink, meet with friends and take part in activities.

Katharine Bourke of ROC said: 'We are providing a safe place where people can socialise — and if anyone has a problem, they can share it with people who can help.'

The Welcome Clubs are a vital facility for vulnerable people within the community — but ROC needs help from volunteers to keep the service running.

Katharine said: 'It could be doing something as simple as the washing up after coffee.

'Even if someone can only give us a couple of hours a month, we can do the timetabling to sort it.'

ROC provides free training for its volunteers and also pays for them to be CRB checked.

The charity is also trying to establish if there is a need for new activity groups for people with learning disabilities in Tavistock — for example, a successful swimming gala was recently held at Meadowlands in which 20 people participated.

The event was organised by ROC Active, a special service set up by the charity in 2007, which facilitates sporting pursuits for people who may have been unable to take part in them before without support.

Now, regular badminton sessions are due to begin at The Alexander Centre tomorrow (Friday) at noon until 1.30pm — with the first taster session being offered free.

Katharine this week appealed organisations or groups staging charity events to consider supporting the Welcome Clubs through ROC.

She said even small sums of money could make a 'huge difference' to a charity delivering such an important service to some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

Anyone who would like to learn more about volunteering opportunities with ROC, or who would like more information about supporting the Welcome Clubs, should call Katharine Bourke on 07590 355749 or email [email protected]">[email protected]

For more information on activities for adults with learning disabilities call Jane Anning on 07595 271976 or Neil Parsley on 07977 413970.

l The Tavistock Welcome Clubs team leader Jane Anning desperately needs office space on a Thursday or Friday afternoon.

Any business in town with a desk to spare should email [email protected]">[email protected] for more information.