This year I was one of the volunteers who helped in restoring and improving the path through the Grove in Torpoint.

The project is being run by Torpoint Lions and I send my thanks to them for allowing me to be part of it.

The evening got me thinking though on how people with learning difficulties will be able to participate within their communities.

Like I have said before, there are serious financial and physical barriers to this happening successfully.

For example, there is silence over the issue of, if the family goes, will the person left behind be given the chance to stay in their own home or have somewhere else to live?

The Government is reluctant to deal with this issue and the building industry doesn't want to build affordable homes – let alone homes for vulnerable people. 

They are people just like you and I, and are assets for their local communities.

People with learning difficulties should be given the chance to earn, on their own terms and abilities, some of the life-long care that they will need. The care element will be needed whatever happens.

Christopher Burns

Torpoint