PEOPLE with autism will be able to enjoy short breaks staying in yurts in Burnham in an innovative new project.

It will operate as a social enterprise, providing long-term employment and volunteering opportunities for local people with the condition.

The project will be run by the National Autistic Society as an alternative short break service for adults with autism, based around two yurts in the woodland grounds of the charity’s Somerset Court service.

This is one of 42 six-month projects which will benefit from a share of the £1.2million Autism Innovation Fund, as announced by the Government recently.

The fund was unveiled by the Government earlier this year to encourage creative and cost-effective autism services as part of ‘Think Autism’ – its updated adult autism strategy for England.

Short breaks will be available for overnight, weekend or week-long stays.

Each yurt will accommodate up to six people, and will have mains electricity and a wood burner.

Toilet, shower, kitchen and dining facilities will be available.

More than ten in every 1,000 people in the UK have autism, a lifelong condition which affects how a person communicates with and relates to others, as well as how they see the world.

It is a spectrum condition which affects everyone differently, meaning that while some people are able to live relatively ‘everyday’ lives others require a lifetime of specialist support.

Carol Povey, director of the National Autistic Society’s Centre for Autism, said: “The NAS campaigned for the Government to include an Innovation Fund in its updated adult autism strategy to encourage new and exciting approaches to autism services, such as the Somerset Adult Autism Respite Service.

“Our experience shows that specialist, structured support like this can make a huge difference to the lives of people with autism, providing a relaxed environment where they can enjoy a break from their day-to-day lives.

“In some cases this may also avert crises and maintain family stability.”