Cuts in funding to adult services in Shropshire could put many vulnerable adults at risk, it was claimed today.

Shrewsbury-based advocacy group, Taking Part, is worried day services for adults are under stress because there is not enough money to provide the service.

The association encourages people with learning difficulties to have more choice, know their rights, and have the chance of leading independent lives.

Taking Part, based at Hartley Business Centre, Monkmoor Road, works in day services and all over Shropshire, but now funding has been cut by the Government.

Chairman Michael Ratcliffe, who has learning difficulties himself and is a key figure in Taking Part, said: “There are many young people coming out of children’s services who have high needs.

“This has put pressure upon adult services as their funding doesn’t follow them.

“The outcome is that now day services are under stress because there is not enough money to provide the excellent service and both staff and members are really worried about the future.

“Shropshire has done really well with getting money for people with learning disabilities from their own budget but central government has not provided much money at all for learning disabilities.

“One of my worse fears is that they will start looking at who gets the services and who does not. Whenever there are cutbacks in social services, it is always learning disabilities which suffers.”

A Shropshire County Council spokesman said: “This is an issue which has been recognised nationally. Numbers requiring services are increasing and people are entering services with needs which are increasingly complex.

“Nationally, councils have told the Government that funding levels have not kept pace with these changes.

“We have been working locally to meet these pressures by remodelling services and, wherever possible, delivering services tailored to the individual.”

To contact the group for further information call (01743) 363399 or email takingpart@btconnect.com

By Rebecca Lawrence