A DORSET charity has begun a major fundraising drive to revamp a residential home.

Autism Wessex hopes to raise £10,000 to improve facilities at the Barnes Lane home in Beaminster.

The charity is inviting families, friends and local businesses to get behind the campaign.

The charity’s marketing and fundraising manager Debbie Anderson: “The summer house at the property is unstable due to the wooden structure being rotten and unsafe. It is used for all sorts of activities including sensory therapy.

“We need to replace the building with a larger structure with built-in heating and its own patio area to enable usage all year round.”

“A new summerhouse at the property will greatly enhance the residents’ quality of life.

One of the home’s six residents is 58-year-old Michael Edge, one of the first British children to be recognised as having autism.

Manager of Barnes Lane, Mandy Gibson, has worked with Michael since he joined the household.

She said: “When he first came here, he found it very difficult to understand where he was and what he could expect of us – so he wouldn’t interact with anybody. It was our aim to get him out into the community, to go shopping, swimming, to take part in different activities. It’s been a long slow process but he’s got there.

“If he’s got a problem he can find the words to tell us. He copes with so much, that years ago, he couldn’t manage at all – going to the supermarket, visiting local attractions, taking a drive round the countryside with staff.”

Autism Wessex will be opening a new residential home in the region in 2014 to meet demand.

For further details visit website autismwessex.org.uk