FAMILIES who have been using a service in Hereford city centre that provides a range of community-based activities for people with learning disabilities have spoken about their sadness that is it closing.

Run by Affinity Trust, Score Day Opportunities is a lifeline for people who have various needs, such as Down Syndrome or Autism, with many connections and friendships being made for nearly 20 years.

However, a chronic lack of funding, the charity says, has meant the service will close from May 31

OTHER NEWS:

"My son John has been going two days a week for 18 years," said Ann Prior.

"He has a personal assistant who takes him swimming and does weight lifting and boxing, but getting a a younger PA is really difficult.

"He is coming here [to Score] to see his friends and is a get together. He has more in common with them - he cannot get that anyone else.

"Most have been coming here for 15 to 20 years and have grown up at this place."

Keith Blake, whose son Andrew, uses the service, added that the closure would have a big impact on him.

"He wouldn't be able to go and meet people and go into the community like he can at Score," he said.

It is understood that Affinity Trust is due to have a meeting soon to discuss the planned closure.