A MUCH-loved community club for people with learning difficulties is closing its doors today (Thursday) to the huge disappointment of its regular members, who have nowhere similar to go.

ROC Welcome Tavistock, which was formerly the long-established Gateway Club financed by the local Mencap committee, has provided a safe place for people with learning difficulties to meet up, socialise and take part in various activities since 1993.

Now, the Times has been told, ROC (Robert Owen Communities), which took over the club in 2010 to save the group from closure, has decided to pull out. But, co-ordinators of the club are determined to find a way to keep it going, for the sake of its members.

Team leader at the Tavistock Welcome Club Debbie Newcombe said: ‘Having had personal involvement for more than 20 years with the running of the club, it is with profound regret I have to announce the closure of Tavistock’s ROC Welcome Club.

‘The long-established club was saved from probable closure in 2010 by Robert Owen Communities. However, with a drop in numbers of regular attendance, the club is no longer sustainable by ROC.

‘We are probably 20 or so down in numbers from when we first opened, but sadly ROC no longer feels able to support us. They did approach another provider on our behalf, but it was unable to help. It came as a bit of a shock but we are only a tiny part of what the charity does.’

Debbie said that there was still a decent number of people who attended the group, with between 15 and 23 going along to the daytime drop-in sessions, where they played games, puzzles and socialised and 25 to 30 people attended the more structured evening sessions, when there was usually a quiz or a disco.

‘I know it is not a huge amount of people but the ones that do come really enjoy themselves. There is nowhere else really that they can all meet up in a safe environment like this.’

She said the members were very upset when they were told of the closure of the club, but Debbie and her colleagues are determined to find a way to get a similar club up and running in the near future.

‘I strongly feel there is still a need in the town for a club like this. We would like the group to continue and we are looking at ways to do that. Sally at the Tavy Club, where the club meets, said they could join the Tavy Club as members but because they are vulnerable adults you need people — volunteers or paid — to oversee sessions and they have to have DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks (formerly CRB) and insurance if you have something structured, so we are looking into what can be done.

‘There are a lot of safeguarding issues, we would need funding and need to adhere to the right rules and regulations.

‘There are lots of tick boxes, so any help that people can offer us will be greatly appreciated. It is very close to my heart so I would like to do something, even if it’s only an evening session or a morning session once a week.’

Debbie expressed thanks to ROC for stepping in when it did and to all the people who had supported the club over the years. She also expressed thanks to the Tavistock Mencap Committee, Sally Perkins at the Tavy Club, staff at the Alexander Centre, Tavistock’s Chamber of Commerce, Tavistock Town Council, Tavistock Lions’ Club, Roger the Watchman and Billie Burnett.

Tavistock town mayor Sue Bailey was shocked to hear of the news. She said: ‘It is very unfortunate and very sad. It will be a great loss to the town and the people that use it — it is something that is very much needed and I really do feel for them.

‘The people that were involved in the club were doing a brilliant job and I hope that perhaps somehow somebody might be able to pick it up and sort something out for the future.’

West Devon MP Geoffrey Cox said: ‘I was delighted to participate in the launch of the Welcome Club when the charity ROC stepped in to save it a few years ago and I am therefore extremely saddened to hear the news of its closure now. I very much hope that should the need for this service increase following its closure, we can look again at providing a similar facility.’

Unfortunately ROC was unavailable for comment as the Times went to press.

The club officially closes today (Thursday) with a party at the Tavy Club from 7pm, to which anyone connected to the club over the years is warmly invited.

Anyone who can offer any assistance to restarting a similar group can contact the Times or email Debbie on [email protected]