PEOPLE in Renfrewshire are being urged to volunteer with a new mentoring project for autistic adults.

The Person to Person project, delivered by The National Autistic Society Scotland, will help around 250 autistic people to overcome challenges and meet goals over the next five years, thanks to support from The Big Lottery Fund’s Improving Lives programme.

The charity is training a team of volunteers to support the project – and wants Renfrewshire residents to get involved.

Jenny Paterson, director of The National Autistic Society Scotland, said: “Thanks to funds raised by National Lottery players, we are able to train a team of volunteers to mentor autistic people in Renfrewshire face-to-face, by phone or by email.

“Together, they will overcome challenges and meet goals, such as taking part in social activities, facing problems at work or dealing with complicated banking and housing issues.”

People who volunteer will receive training, which covers autism awareness, safeguarding and setting boundaries, as well as regular support and reviews.

Volunteer mentors will also help autistic people in Renfrewshire to identify the local cafes, venues and other public spaces that they would use more often if they were ‘autism-friendly’.

The National Autistic Society Scotland will then give these businesses pointers on increasing their accessibility, helping to reduce the social isolation that affects two thirds of people living in Scotland.

To find out more or to volunteer, email PersontoPerson@nas.org.uk