There is always something to celebrate at National Star

Our Spring Appeal

Now that Spring is in the air, there is a feeling of optimism and hope. It is a time of growth and of feeling that all things are possible and to celebrate new beginnings.

At National Star we support each young person to grow with mental health support to overcome anxiety, speech and language support for students who are yet to find their voice and even offering physical freedom to those young people who have spent their lives depending on others to move about.

Each young person has their own individualised programme to ensure they can become as independent as they can, to make their own choices and to have a voice. With various pathways available to students, we offer further education to a range of young people with disabilities, like Max, Caitlin and Teisha, who you can read more about below.

Life at National Star is positive and we love to celebrate wonderful achievements.

Max

For the first time in years, Max is getting a taste of freedom, at the age of 19. He can walk, with the aid of a walker to a door, open it and decide for  himself if he wants to go in. Max has a rare genetic disorder and complex uncontrolled epilepsy. With the help of National Star’s physiotherapy team, Max has learned to use a Grillo Gait Trainer, a piece of equipment which helps his posture and provides him with the stability he needs to walk. While he still requires staff to be with him, he can now move independently.

Caitlin

Before she arrived at National Star Caitlin struggled to communicate. She would use words and phrases but not full sentences and found it difficult to interact with people other than her family. With the support of the speech and language team Caitlin has shown remarkable progress. She is interacting with her peers and people she does not know and initiating conversations.

Teisha

The progress that Teisha has made while learning at National Star in Hereford has opened up a world of opportunities for her. As an Engaging with the World pathway learner Teisha, who is blind and has profound and multiple learning disabilities, found it difficult to access any room other than her own classroom when she first started with us.

Read more about Teisha’s story

By donating to National Star, you are helping us to provide the resources, equipment and facilities so students can participate more actively in their learning and therapy programmes, thereby enhancing their experience and enabling them to achieve goals like Max, Caitlin and Teisha.

Please donate today – together we can change lives