Chris’ story

Chris and Irwin’s journey

Chris is a student at National Star, based primarily at our Green Steps campus in Cheltenham. He is partially blind in both eyes, with minimal vision, but that hasn’t stopped him from pursuing his goal of owning his own business one day. A key part of his journey has been his partnership with Irwin, his golden labrador guide dog, who has been by his side for just over a year. 

Before getting Irwin, Chris had some experience with guide dogs, as his family pet was a retired guide dog. However, having a working guide dog of his own required intensive training to ensure Irwin could support Chris in the best possible way. Now, the two are inseparable. 

Chris and Irwin work together as a team, and part of their routine is helping others understand how guide dogs operate. Many people don’t realise that when a guide dog is in uniform, they are on duty and should not be distracted. However, when out of uniform, they can be approached — if permission is given. This clear distinction helps Irwin understand when he is working versus when he can relax.

Building a business, one skill at a time 

Chris has already taken his first steps into the world of business. He runs his own online store, selling specialised toys on eBay— the only second-hand selling platform he has found to be fully accessible for those with vision impairments. Unfortunately, other major selling sites like Vinted and Facebook Marketplace present significant accessibility challenges for visually impaired users, limiting opportunities. 

When Chris joined National Star, he completed a questionnaire designed to help job coaches match him with relevant work placements that align with his current skill set and overall aspiration for post college. His goal? To run his own online e-commerce business. 

As Chris already understands the outline of selling items online, one area he was eager to develop was understanding valuation, how to price items competitively, identify larger profit margins, and determine the true market value of products. To support this, his job coach, Alison, secured him a weekly placement at one of National Star’s charity shops. 

A placement with purpose

Each week, Chris visits the charity shop and is given a selection of items to research. Using online resources such as eBay, he reviews their condition, current going rate, and overall value, creating a suggested pricing list which he then reviews with the store manager before pricing the items ready for the shop floor. 

Chris shared: ‘I love coming to the charity shop and the support I get from Alison. I’m learning about a new range of items and starting to understand which items sell faster than others. I also love encouraging my job coach to buy all the things she falls in love with! I feel like part of the team here and I’m always welcomed.’ 

Of course, before finishing his shift, Chris and Alison always makes sure to clean up any stray dog hairs that Irwin may have left behind—one of the many ways he takes responsibility for his four-legged companion. 

Expanding skills within customer service

In addition to his work at the charity shop, Chris also builds his communication skills by working on reception at National Star in Ullenwood. This role helps him gain confidence in professional communication, an essential skill for running a successful business in the future. 

Chris’ next placement

Chris is currently preparing for his next placement, where he will be joining the e-commerce team with Emmaus Gloucestershire.  

If you or your business would like to support Chris by offering a placement or permanent role, please contact Alison, his job coach, to discuss potential opportunities. 

Partner with us

Are you interested in supporting students like Chris through meaningful work placements? Our job coaches are ready to collaborate with businesses and organisations to provide opportunities that help students thrive. 

Contact Us
Email: rfisher@nationalstar.org
Telephone: 01242 527631