The National Star Foundation
National Star provides education, work based learning and life skills training for young people with complex disabilities.
Since the College opened 45 years ago, the disabilities of our students have become more diverse and severe. Advances in modern medicine have meant that babies and children with multiple, complex disabilities and life limiting conditions are able to survive longer and take advantage of the opportunities we can offer them. This is fantastic, but it does mean the College regularly needs to update its facilities to continue to provide young people with the equipment and environment they need to learn.
Over 25% of students come from our home county of Gloucestershire and in addition to our residential students, the College offers day places for local students and a part-time education programme for over 200 disabled local adults.
With this gift we would be able to extend the work of our charity, improve facilities such as our outdated student residences, purchase essential therapies and other equipment needed by our students to overcome their disabilities and access all the opportunities we offer, and offer more disabled young people the opportunity to become involved in our work-skills programmes, equipping them with the skills they need to gain employment after they leave the College.
The equipment and services provided by National Star Foundation can transform lives. The technology available to students can allow them to communicate with loved ones for the first time; the equipment provides an opportunity to discover independence around college through their learning, living and socialising; the work skills programme provides specific work experience to equip students with skills in customer service, restaurant management, horticulture, sales and administration.
At National Star, we provide an environment for students to realise their aspirations. We provide a caring community, sharing knowledge, respect and expertise, a place overflowing with a passion for life and learning and a place that reaches beyond all expectations.
CASE STUDY
Annie Pears
When Annie first arrived at National Star College she had a lot of ideas about what she wanted to achieve.
Prior to coming to National Star College Annie, who has cerebral palsy and uses an electric wheelchair, attended main-stream schools. Annie enjoyed the academic aspects of being in main-stream education but recognised that she needed to find a placement that would offer her the opportunity to learn independent life skills and empower her to assert her needs and choices.
During her first year Annie started to utilise a variety of college facilities including the physiotherapy department and in particular hydro-therapy. Through this she started to build her physical strength, which empowered her to reduce her reliance on hoisting systems to get in and out of her chair.
In her second year Annie decided to move to an off campus student residence in Gloucester. Annie recognised that the ability to live in the centre of a community would help her to achieve her goals of becoming independent in the local area.
In her third year Annie gained a placement on a Health & Social Care course at Gloucestershire College and enjoyed being able to continue practising and learning new independence skills in the realistic settings that National Star College offers.
Annie left National Star College in 2009 with her long term ambition being to achieve employment as a Teaching Assistant.