AN AUTISTIC woman from Bury is launching a theatre group to provide support for woman on the autistic spectrum.

Jessica Nolan, of Essex Drive, is starting the project Uniquely Us, to combat the social isolation that she felt growing up in the borough.

After struggling with bullying and difficulty making friends in mainstream schools, 24-year-old Jessica recognised a distinct lack of engagement for women with autism.

She said: “As an autistic woman born and raised in Bury I’ve experienced social isolation. I have spotted a gap and I want to make change and fill it. This project will help other women my age with autism engage in the arts and encourage their creativity and boost their confidence and social communication skills, without the chance of rejection or bullying.”

Jessica has teamed up with Contact’s Future Fires programme – a project which supports young artists to develop socially-engaged projects in their own communities, to create Uniquely Us.

The project is a series of theatre based workshops that aim to give autistic women between the ages of 16 and 30 a place to make friends, build confidence and communication skills as well as develop theatre skills in a safe and pressure free environment. Starting on October 7, the sessions will run in The Met in Market Street from 11am until 1pm every Saturday until December. Those interested in attending the session should contact Jessica on 0161 247 0616 or email jessica.uniquelyus@gmail.com