A CASHPOT of £300,000 has been pledged to help a Colchester-based charity which provides vital support to autistic people.

North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group has awarded the money to three service providers to improve the quality of life and social integration people with neurodevelopmental disorders.

NDDs form the largest group of conditions associated with child disability, such as learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, autism, and seizures, as well as differing stages of hearing loss and blindness.

Colchester-based Autism Anglia is among charities Families InFocus and The MAZE Group Community Interest Company in receiving the £300,000 contract.

The money will help the groups deliver the new Early Intervention and Family Offer across north-east Essex under the initial two year contract.

Together they will provide trusted, responsive and needs-led services to children, young people and families to support the management of neurodevelopmental conditions in the 0-25 year age group.

This includes help to navigate both the clinical aspect of their care and non-clinical services such as general or individual advice about their condition and educational, social and financial support.

Kate Hancock, chief executive at Autism Anglia said: “I am delighted the funding provided will ensure we are able to meet the vital needs of young autistic people and their families in north-east Essex.

“We are frequently contacted by families who are in desperate situations and feel lost in the system and not sure where to turn.

“This service aims to reduce this and will have a wider impact on other services in the area.”