National Star in Hereford launch ambitious plans

Hereford-based charity National Star has launched ambitious plans to support more local young people with special education needs and disabilities.

National Star is celebrating its tenth anniversary of providing specialist education, therapy and support in Hereford.

In 2020, the charity opened the Eveson Centre in Ledbury Road which was designed to provide the specialist environment to meet the increasingly complex needs of learners.

In just four years the number of young people attending National Star has grown by 50%. Now the charity has launched a £450,000 appeal to expand its facilities to meet the growing need.

National Star wants to build a two-storey extension that will include two new classrooms, two additional personal care rooms, a multi-skills kitchen and communal space. It will also make improvements to the existing main building to accommodate more learners with a wide range of needs. The construction project will cost £685,000.

The charity has already received some generous gifts and pledges of support from individuals, trusts and foundations towards its fundraising target.

One of National Star’s current students, Heather Lewis, helped the charity launch the appeal at a special open evening. Among those attending was the Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, the Mayor of Hereford and members of Herefordshire Council.

When Heather, who is known at National Star as H, started last year she said she was very shy. ‘I didn’t talk to anyone. Now I talk to everyone and even show people around the college,’ says Heather.

Heather’s independence skills and confidence have blossomed. She loves her work placement at Blackmarston School where she runs a sports session and is a lunchtime supervisor. Her dream is to get a job working with children in education and to live on her own one day.

‘National Star is amazing because they give me so many opportunities,’ says Heather.

“The Eveson Centre is a wonderful place thanks to the amazing students we have such as Heather,” says Sasha Narey, provision manager at National Star in Hereford.

“Our growth shows the incredible need in Hereford. These new facilities will enable us to support more young people and be able to adapt to meet their needs. We passionately believe that the young people of Hereford are worth investing in, but we need your help to make that happen.

“By supporting our appeal, you will be building a brighter future for the county’s young people with disabilities and that will make our county an even better place to live.”

For more information, visit our Appeal page: Building a Brighter Future in Hereford Appeal – National Star or contact Tessa Watson: twatson@nationalstar.org