Tavistock and District Mencap is looking for the support of the community to help find a new direction for its clubs.

The Welcome Centre and the Gateway Club in Tavistock are considered a social lifeline for many— offering social and leisure opportunities for people with learning disabilities in the area. The Tavistock and District Mencap is having difficulty finding officers for the charity.

Secretary Ann McDonald, said: 'At the moment we have an acting chair, an acting secretary and an acting treasurer. We are looking for people to come forward to be officers for the society so we can keep the clubs going because they are important to the people that attend them.'

The charity is holding a meeting for representatives of local services and organisations who can come together on behalf of people with learning disabilities in Tavistock.

Mrs McDonald said: 'We're hoping people might come forward at the meeting. We also hope people will produce ideas on how to go forward to support the groups. There are lots of people in the community who very much welcome the use of these clubs.'

The Welcome Centre, held at the Alexander Centre, and the Gateway Club, held at the Red and Black Club, have an attendance of more than 60 people from the community with a learning disability.

'People with a learning disability have the right to lead fulfilling and meaningful lives.' said Mrs McDonald, 'We would like to hear from people interested in getting involved, helping to set the next steps and helping to shape the future of the clubs in the Tavistock area.'

The meeting will take place tomorrow (Friday. March 5) at 2pm at Molly Owen, Westbridge Industrial Estate, Pixon Lane in Tavistock. An annual meeting will be held on March 25, in which the charity hopes a solution to shape and secure the future of the clubs will be found.