A Croydon charity that helps people with autism get into the workforce has been rewarded.

Autus provides training and support for autistic people and recently took out the London Youth Award for employability for its MentorMe3D programme.

The project has so far matched eight people who were all in long-term unemployment with jobs in the IT sector.

Chairwoman of the Autus board of trustees, Eleanor Fisk, was proud of what they have been able to achieve.

"It’s really rewarding to watch participants’ confidence improve as they build new skills," she said.

"In the five years since Autus began, we’ve helped over 250 people build confidence, break out of isolation, gain qualifications and/or find sustainable work they enjoy.

"We hope this award will bring us more opportunities to reach the 77 per cent of unemployed autistic adults who want to work and help close the autism unemployment gap.”