National Star presents at Down Syndrome UK Annual Conference

National Star was honoured to be invited to the Down Syndrome UK Annual Conference held on 6 October. Representing National Star, Meg Rogers, Director of Services, and Jak, Student Union President, delivered a presentation to an audience of around 50 guests. The group included families of individuals with Down Syndrome and professionals working within the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) sector. 

During their presentation, Meg and Jak offered an insightful overview of life at National Star, covering the college’s range of support services, including education, care, long-term living, and a virtual tour of the Ullenwood campus presented by Jak himself. A particular highlight was their focus on the students’ own experiences and perspectives on education at National Star. 

The event also featured several other notable presentations, such as Dr. Kelly Burgoyne from the University of Manchester, who shared her expertise in educational research, and Tammy Rutter from the University of Warwick, presenting findings from the Maternity Experiences Survey. Attendees were also treated to updates on the latest projects from DSUK’s own Dr. Becky Baxter, along with family support initiatives from Rachel and Phillip Shatliff of East Lancs DSSG. 

Additionally, the event highlighted innovative research, including Professor Simon Gaisford’s update on probiotics from University College London and Lucy Upton and Anna Barnett from The Feeding Trust, who discussed their work on nutrition and occupational therapy. Other key contributors included Claire Cookson from the DFN Foundation, presenting the supported internships model of DFN Project SEARCH. 

The session was warmly received, with the audience engaging in a lively Q&A session that sparked several inquiries about National Star’s enrolment and admissions processes. 

This event provided an excellent platform for National Star to share its mission and highlight its role in supporting students with disabilities to live independent, fulfilling lives.