GROWING concern about abuse of vulnerable elderly people has sparked action by churches.

The Anglican Diocese of Ripon and Leeds is so concerned about the issue that it is arranging two workshops to help people discuss and take action about abuse.

Psychotherapist and diocesan advisor on the issue Gabrielle Syme said the Church wanted to alert people about the problem as well as help them to cope with the issue.

She also hopes to alert churches to their vulnerability about accusations of abuse if they have no proper policies for home visiting.

Writing in the diocesan newsletter, she said: "Some volunteers have ulterior motives, which make them unsuitable for these jobs."

She said church members were in roles where they visited vulnerable adults and in a position to notice if abuse was taking place.

Her report said older people with learning and physical disabilities were being abused regularly.

She said: "Abuse can happen in homes, care homes, supported housing and hospitals. The abuse could range from being screamed at to being raped. Sometimes it is easy to detect, but at other times the abuse is very subtle and can only be spotted if you have been given markers to look for."

The workshops will be on February 4 at Chantry Hall, Bedale, and St Mark's Church, Harrogate, on March 7.