National Star Saves Residential Home From Closure

We’re very excited to share the news that we have bought residential care home Hertha House in St Michael’s Court, Gloucester, which had just two tenants remaining and risked closure.

Renamed Foundation House, the building will provide long-term accommodation for 14 adults with disabilities. We bought the property, which originally opened in 2001, from Guinness Hermitage.

Major refurbishment is underway and the property is due to open in summer 2014. It will include three flats and 11 residential rooms. This will be the first time we have provided long-term accommodation for people with disabilities.

‘We know from learners and adults who access our courses and training that long-term housing in the county is limited,’ said David Ellis, Chief Executive of National Star.

‘With our expertise in working with people with disabilities it made sense to evolve our services and set up our first residential property.’

We currently have 183 learners – 126 residential and 57 day. Last year, in addition to the learners at the college, we supported more than 900 people across the county with learning and physical disabilities.

‘We know from learners that many young adults with disabilities enjoy living with groups of people where they can be independent yet still have companionship. That type of accommodation is difficult to find,’ said Mr Ellis.

‘When we heard of the opportunity to buy this property we jumped at it. Public money was used to build Hertha House. National Star is keen to restore this community asset for what it was meant to be, that is a residential accommodation for people with disabilities.’