HUNDREDS of adults with disabilities are being given the chance to jump for joy and get involved with sport thanks to a Wirral charity.

Wirral Autistic Society (WAS)’s comprehensive day services programme means adults with autism from across the borough are able to take part in a variety of sports including horse riding, rock climbing and swimming.

And thanks to a grant of £187,896 from Sport England’s Inclusive Fund, the society is now able to take 70 adults each week to take part in Autism Ability – a new trampolining and gymnastics scheme.

WAS is one of 44 organisations across England to have benefitted from £8m of National Lottery investment from Sport England to open up more opportunities for disabled people to play sport.

The funding has been used to recruit an activity leader and two coaches, develop disability coaching and purchase new equipment including six trampolines.

Ten lessons will take place each week at The Drill sports centre on Grange Road West, Birkenhead.

Community development activity manager Neil Murphy said: “This funding means a great deal to us and to our service users. After all our planning, we're thrilled that we are finally launching AutismAbility. 

“Both our new sports are great fun and we want our service users to love their sessions but we'll also be encouraging them to work towards British Gymnastics Proficiency Awards, which will be a good way to boost their self esteem."

The number of disabled people playing sport regularly is on the rise.

In December 2013, Sport England’s Active People Survey – an annual, in-depth measure of the nation’s sporting habits – revealed a record number of disabled people in England now play sport each week.

Sport England director of insight, Lisa O’Keefe, said: “We are delighted to be able to help Wirral Autistic Society provide more opportunities for disabled people to give sport a go.

“Record numbers of disabled people now play sport and it’s thanks to projects like this that we can continue to improve opportunities and make a real difference in communities.”

Robin Bush, chief executive of WAS, said: "It’s brilliant that we can now add such comprehensive trampolining and gymnastics offers to our repertoire. 

“Having fun, keeping fit and feeling motivated by an activity can make a huge difference to someone's quality of life."

Wirral Autistic Society was founded in 1968 and employs 800 people in Wirral and Merseyside.

The society supports more than 300 people with autism and social communication difficulties.

It offers specialist services for families and children, residential care, respite care and supported living, along with a broad range of day services.