Bridport-based charity ASCape has won an £80,000 award from the National Lottery.

ASCape supports local autistic children and young adults and those with social anxiety, as well as their families. The money will help ASCape continue to offer and expand its programme to provide a safe environment for autistic children and young people aged 0-25 to meet up and socialise, explore their feelings, and gain peer support.

Founded in 2018, by local parents Indigo May Roe, Leeann Boon and Karen Wright, ASCape is now a growing community of more than 500 people and directly supports over 100 children and their families through a range of family-based activities.

As well as monthly youth clubs for pre-teens and teens, a gardening club and an over-18s social group, ASCape runs Family Activity Afternoons aimed at children aged 4-14 and their families.

The activities include pond dipping and seed planting, animal feeding and handling, swimming, ten-pin bowling, bouldering, rope making, fossiling and beach games as well as the hugely popular family picnic. In the autumn, ASCape activities include rafting, canoeing and treasure hunting.

Family support is offered by ASCape through its regular Wellbeing Afternoons aimed at parents and carers, helping them relax and regroup in a supportive environment.

The charity also has a very informative website www.ascape.club and an active Facebook group.

ASCape co-lead Clare Cameron said: "We are so thrilled to have been awarded these funds. Without the right environment to socialise, autistic children, young adults and their families can become extremely isolated. We know there is a desperate need locally for fun and supportive activity.

"The National Lottery money will allow us to continue to provide opportunities for children and young people to make friends, boost their confidence and self-esteem and improve their lives."

Parent Victoria Thomas commented: "With ASCape, we feel we have found our tribe, especially with understanding the barriers our family faces to accessing, what for some- are just everyday activities.

"I'm grateful I can bring both my daughters as there isn't much provision for autistic children, where the whole family can take part."