A CLUB that helps to give people with learning difficulties a social life is celebrating its 35th birthday.

The White Cross Club meets in Highworth twice a month, providing a valuable opportunity for its members to go on trips, have a drink in a pub or simply play music and chat.

And it has made a huge difference to their lives.

Club organiser Margaret Bisset has been involved since 1983. She said: “We have a really good band of volunteers and actually they get as much out of befriending our members as our members get from coming to the club.

“We are there for them, to help them, to enable them to do things, otherwise we step back and let them be themselves.”

One member was so fond of the volunteers she called them her mate helpers.

The club, founded by Freda Cox, has around 16 regular members aged between 29 and 70 and as well as evenings at the Town Council Hall where they play cards, talk to their friends or do crafts.

“At the beginning of the year they make a bucket list of the things they want to do,” she explained. Video race nights, skittles, bingo sessions and quiz nights were among the popular choices.

The volunteers also arrange trips out to the pub or the pictures. As a small group it also means they can look forward to going out without the fear of attracting unwelcome attention.

For some members the group has prevented the possibility of social isolation but there are challenges to organising social activities, like difficulties with transport. Some members struggle to use public transport on their own, meaning they have to rely on others.

Said Margaret: “Even with something like going to the pictures it is a nightmare trying to help them meet at the cinema.”

But she said: “From the parents’ point of view – those that are living at home – they know that their children are safe, that they are not going to get lost on the bus.”

The club, which supports itself through fundraising, celebrated the anniversary with former volunteers, ex-members and mayor of Highworth Pauline Webster and it was so successful they are considering repeating the reunion at Christmas.

Anyone wanting to volunteer or fundraise can contact the club on 07413 580851.