MORE than 30 autistic people in Wirral will gain employment through a comprehensive programme of training and real work experience – thanks to a major cash injection from the Big Lottery.

Wirral Autistic Society has received £264,602 from the Lottery, which, according to society fundraising officer Rick Myers has left members feeling “over the moon.”

He said: “People with Asperger’s syndrome and autism find it incredibly difficult to find work. This money will be spent on preparing them for work and providing real work placements.

“They are very good at certain types of work. They don’t mind monotonous or repetitive jobs and they enjoy computer work and IT. “Very often autistic people are highly intelligent.”

The Autistic Society project also aims to help beneficiaries to build confidence and improve mental wellbeing through gaining a greater understanding of their condition.

Last year a new £1.3m centre for autistic people was opened in Wirral following a successful fund-raising appeal.

The centre, with six specially-designed bedroom suites, along with support facilities, was built alongside the society’s main residential complex at Raby Hall.

The society caters for people aged 16 and above with autism, Autism affects 535,000 UK families. It is an impairment in the areas of social interaction, social communication and imagination. Autism affects four times more boys than girls and one in four autistic children are excluded from school.