BURY Council's autism befriender scheme has been granted approved provider' status by the UK's Mentoring and Befriending Foundation.

This is a national benchmark for good practice, and Bury will be used as a reference point for others.

Mentoring and befriending services are increasingly used in a range of settings such as schools, businesses and support groups.

Volunteers are aged from 18 to 70-plus, with a wide variety of experiences and backgrounds.

Many are employed by local organisations; some are students, unemployed people, retired people or even ex-offenders. Sometimes people who have worked with a mentor or befriender go on to become mentors and befrienders themselves.

Trish Dawson, the council's director of inclusion and healthcare, said: "Our team is now looking to recruit new volunteers to help work with service users raising their achievement levels, improving self confidence, personal and social skills and providing emotional support."

For details, call Sylvia Boucher on (0161) 253 7613.