The story of Foundation House

Residents from our long–term living provision, Foundation House, celebrated the 10th anniversary of its opening in September.

We are passionate about young adults with disabilities having the right to live meaningful and fulfilling lives after college. However, to achieve that, young people need long–term accommodation that meets their needs in their local area.

When National Star heard about a care property under threat in Gloucester in 2014, we jumped at the opportunity to expand our current offering to include long–term living. We believed that long–term care could be innovative and person–centred. Since opening the doors to Foundation House, we have opened three further long–term residences in Cheltenham, Malvern and Hereford. National Star is proud to be called home to 32 adults.

Chief Executive Lynette Barrett was involved with the plan in 2014.

‘I had the honour of leading the project as then Director of Residential Services,’ she says. ‘It was a very different direction for the charity, but the need was so great that we didn’t hesitate. All but one of those first residents are still with us which is a tribute to the team who work so hard to make Foundation House a proper home.’

This milestone also marks 10 years for our residents living together. When asked, they all described life in Foundation House as ‘a family’.

The sense of community at Foundation House continues to grow and flourish. To mark and celebrate a decade of long–term living at Foundation House, residents, their families, friends, and colleagues who had worked in the home over the past decade gathered to celebrate.

The residents created a scrapbook that highlights all their happy memories from over the years. Everyone danced, sang and reminisced on all the fantastic moments shared together.

Life at Foundation House revolves around those that live there. It’s only right that they have the last word.

‘I would never want to move away from the standard of National Star care because you can’t get it anywhere else,’ said Annie, Foundation House resident.