A TELEPHONE helpline for autistic people across Solihull and Birmingham has been given a cash boost.

Autism West Midlands has secured a grant from education and training charity Landau, which runs a dedicated project supporting autistic people and their families, and those awaiting diagnosis.

The charity says it plans to use the £29,903 it has received from All Age Autism Support Service (AAASS) for a telephone helpline which it says will support more than 700 people.

Henry Webster, operations manager at Autism West Midlands, said: “We are delighted to have been successful in our grant application to be able to deliver helpline support to people across Birmingham and Solihull.

“We have autism specialist advisors available who can focus on providing information, advice and guidance for autistic adults and parent/carers of autistic children.

“The funding has enabled us to employ advisors who will be able to specifically focus on helping people from Birmingham and Solihull and we will be able to ensure people will be signposted to services via the All-Age Autism Service Directory.

The boost was in the latest round of grants announced by Landau as part of its AAASS, which has awarded more than £690,000 to 28 organisations and charities, supporting more than supporting 2,600 people.

Landau chief executive Sonia Roberts said: “We want to make people aware that there is advice and support out there – whether you have been diagnosed or are still awaiting diagnosis, we operate a service directory providing a single point of access to the support services available in Birmingham and Solihull at www.aaadirectory.co.uk

“Latest figures from NHS Digital show that more than 4,000 people suspected of having autism were waiting for an assessment after being referred by specialists in the Birmingham and Solihull area at the end of 2022.

“Coping with autism can be overwhelming for autistic people themselves, their families and carers, so I would urge people to reach out to some of the amazing groups who can help.”