A UNIQUE club offering a lifeline to people with disabilities is facing an uncertain future.

The Monday Wednesday Club in Trowbridge gives adults with mental or physical disabilities or learning difficulties the chance to have a social life they might otherwise miss out on.

The club keeps going through the goodwill of charities and volunteers but desperately needs more help to ensure it can carry on.

Organiser Joyce King said: "We lead a hand to mouth existence but if we were to close down a lot of these people would be so isolated. They wouldn't have anywhere else to go."

The club began running one day a week 15 years ago, meeting at the church hall in Wesley Road, later extending its opening hours to two days a week.

As well as giving people the chance to meet friends they are given a hot meal and go on outings and a holiday every other year.

Club chairman Arthur Ransom said: "We are open 50 weeks a year and have eight volunteers. Without them we wouldn't exist and most are the same people we started with.

"We are unique and we do worry about the future in the climate we are in."

The club receives funding from social services but this was cut by 50 per cent about three years ago.

The money they now get is enough to cover the rent for the hall but all other expenses have to be covered through charitable grants.

The club not only provides a safe and welcoming atmosphere for people with a wide range of disabilities but provides a much-needed rest for many carers.

It takes people not just from Trowbridge, but from across the surrounding area, and members have entertainment, learn cooking and crafts and play games as well as simply enjoying the company.

Most of the volunteers are pensioners and many will soon be looking to retire.

The club, which always has a waiting list of people wanting to join, is appealing for people who can spare a few hours to go along and help.

  • For further information please telephone Mrs King on (01380) 871322 or ring Jenny Bristow on (01225) 862674.