A WIRRAL charity supporting people with autism has been able to offer free advice sessions to 52 people after a cash boost from the Globe's parent company.

Autism Together was among seven charities across the region awarded a share of funding from The Gannett Foundation, which provided £125,000 in cash to support charities across the country.

The North West’s share was £20,000, which was distributed to good causes nominated by readers of our titles across the region.

We asked readers to decide where this money should be spent on Wirral and, after being inundated with nominations, Autism Together was put forward as nominee. The Bromborough-based charity was awarded £5,045.94 following a Globe reader vote in December.

The cash has since been used to help Wirral Autism Together fund therapy sessions, which give much-needed, personalised advice on any aspect of autism including employment, parenting, communication, coping strategies and anxiety reduction.

In the sessions, an individual can talk openly, in a confidential and safe environment, with two members of Autism Together’s award-winning Autism Training and Advisory Service (ATAS) team.

Wirral Globe:

A one-to-one session conducted at Wirral Autism Together

A spokesperson for the charity said: "Thanks to the generous donation from the Gannett Foundation, through the support of Wirral Globe readers, we have been able to offer free autism advice sessions to 52 people up to June of this year, with many more booked for the rest of the year.

"Of the sessions so far, 10 were with young autistic adults who have been referred to join our Connected club.

"Connected is a social group we run in Wirral to help young autistic adults avoid social and emotional isolation.

"Our autism advice sessions are available to people on the autism spectrum, their family and carers. We offer these in person at our head office in Bromborough, or online if that suits people better.

These sessions have different uses and outcomes, depending on the individuals involved, including:

  • Coming to terms with an autism diagnosis and what this means for the individual – leading them in self-acceptance.
  • Recognising their significant sensory sensitivities and putting in coping strategies through sensory profiling and discussion.
  • Talking with someone who understands.
  • Allowing the place, time and expertise for someone to disclose, reflect and build trust. Many of the people we talk to have experienced trauma.
  • Recognising strengths and building confidence. People have gone on to find jobs they are interested in.
  • The charity also supports people in the workplace, devising an autism-specific reasonable adjustments document that people have used and benefitted from.

Michelle Walklett, the charity's head of Autism Training & Advisory Service said: "The donation has made a huge difference for autistic people who are desperate for support.

"Due to the funding, we are able to offer more autism therapy session and this ensures people get the right support needed to help them.

"We can't thank the Gannett Foundation and Globe readers enough for their generous donation."

Lisa Masters, fundraising manager, said: "We were absolutely thrilled to receive such a generous amount, which we knew would help so many people who were desperate for support.

"The fact that so many people had voted for us proved, once again, just how important the work we undertake with autistic people is."