National Star

National Star National Star works to realise the aspirations of people with complex disabilities.

National Star students are building their confidence and showcasing their support for sustainability while taking part i...
19/03/2026

National Star students are building their confidence and showcasing their support for sustainability while taking part in the Forest Green Rovers student ambassador programme.⚽

Julian Ralph, Programme Manager, shared: ‘The students who are involved in the ambassador programme get a unique insight into the ethos, values, and sustainable ways that the football club is run. The students have been able to attend some home matches to support Forest Green Rovers, and we have been warmly welcomed by all at the club.'

As part of the programme, we have also had the team's coaches running inclusive training sessions for our students at Ullenwood.

Student Joe shared: ‘It is fantastic. I find the scheme interesting because of going to the games. I have been to home games against Altrincham, we drew 1-1, and against Leicester, we drew 2-2 and then lost on penalties, it was a good game. I was sat close to the manager Robbie Savage and had a photo with him.

This partnership with Forest Green Rovers Football Club is only just beginning, and we can't wait to see what opportunities this opens up for our students.

18/03/2026

Yesterday, we held a Reverse Jobs Fair at Ullenwood to help support students in getting paid employment when they leave college. 🌟

The concept of the jobs fair was simple. Each student had a stand showcasing their skills and experience using displays and presentations. Employers moved around the tables to meet the students and talk to them about potential job opportunities in their organisations and student career aspirations.

Our Reverse Job Fair is an opportunity for our work programmes students to talk about the skills and experience they have gained through taking part in working placements during their time at National Star.

The students have ambitions to secure roles in hospitality, IT, administration, engineering, acting, and more.

Our students and staff have officially landed in Andorra, and the 10th anniversary of the National Star ski experience i...
17/03/2026

Our students and staff have officially landed in Andorra, and the 10th anniversary of the National Star ski experience is already off to an incredible start.

Some arrived feeling anxious about taking part, and by their first run, they were asking to go faster, singing their way down the mountain and laughing with their instructors. It’s incredible to see that shift in confidence in such a short space of time.

There’s been plenty of smiles, determination and teamwork as everyone finds their rhythm and supports one another along the way.

In the lead-up to the trip, students work closely with their physiotherapists to build strength and resilience, helping them get the most from this opportunity both physically and personally.

Beyond the experience itself, moments like these help develop independence, confidence and new skills that last far beyond the mountains.

Here are some photos of what they’ve been up to so far! 📸

Whoop, whoop - National Star has been shortlisted in the sustainability category of this year's C2S business awards and ...
17/03/2026

Whoop, whoop - National Star has been shortlisted in the sustainability category of this year's C2S business awards and we couldn't be happier.

From biodiversity to biomass boilers, living roofs to tackling leaky loos, the charity is doing everything we can to balance our successful operations with helping to achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

We'll discover whether we have made the final after the judges meet on 24 April. In the meantime learn more about our sustainability pledge https://bit.ly/4sgTi9N

16/03/2026

Every step you take in our Sunrise Walk 2026 will raise money for National Star. 🌄

Take on a challenge and watch the sunrise over the Cotswolds! Your support will raise vital funds for young adults with disabilities.

We encourage everyone to sign up, and bring your friends, partners, colleagues, children, and even dogs to share this unique experience.

📆 Sunday 12 April 2026
👉 Sign up today: https://bit.ly/4fiesh1

Visit Cheltenham

National Star has taken part in the Big Plastic Count this year, the UK’s biggest investigation into household plastic w...
13/03/2026

National Star has taken part in the Big Plastic Count this year, the UK’s biggest investigation into household plastic waste.

From 9-15 March, staff and students working in StarBistro as well as students, long-term residents and colleagues have been counting the plastic packaging they throw away/recycle.

The results will be used to call on the government and companies to reduce plastic waste and create a better future for young people.

We are also hoping that this initiative will educate students and colleagues about how they can recycle more plastic waste at National Star and encourage them to consider buying fewer products made from single use plastic.

‘This is an opportunity to empower National Star students and residents to not only learn about the plastic problem, but to act on it and we’ve been really impressed by the involvement of students in the campaign,’ said Sustainability Lead Elaine Hodgin.

The Big Plastic Count

It's only one month to go until our annual Sunrise Walk takes place! 🌄 This is our fifth Sunrise Walk, let's make it the...
12/03/2026

It's only one month to go until our annual Sunrise Walk takes place! 🌄

This is our fifth Sunrise Walk, let's make it the biggest and brightest yet. We have had families and friends, corporate teams, members of our local communities, and even some well-behaved dogs sign up to this year's walk. Why not join them in this challenge?

Put your best foot forward for young adults with disabilities and transform lives with every step. The money you raise will help to provide the equipment and resources needed for them to achieve their goals.💫

📆 Sunday 12 April 2026
👉 Sign up today: https://bit.ly/4fiesh1

Did you know we also host a Reverse Jobs Fair at National Star in Hereford? Our students are getting their display board...
12/03/2026

Did you know we also host a Reverse Jobs Fair at National Star in Hereford? Our students are getting their display boards ready for the event, and they are looking great!

The Reverse Jobs Fair is an opportunity to come and meet our students who are actively looking for opportunities to enter the workforce. Learners will have the opportunity to speak to employers about their industry, as well as building communication and confidence skills.

📅 Thursday 19 March from 4pm to 5.30pm
📍 The Eveson Centre, 1 Ledbury Road, Hereford, HR1 2SX

We would love to involve as many organisations as possible to show our students that there are endless industries and possibilities for them to explore. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, please email cwatson-cumbes@nationalstar.org

✨'Our College, Our Voice' ✨ Students at Heart of Worcestershire College, in partnership with National Star, have been ge...
11/03/2026

✨'Our College, Our Voice' ✨

Students at Heart of Worcestershire College, in partnership with National Star, have been getting creative, to promote the message of 'our college, our voice'. The speech bubbles have now been made into a wonderful display on campus!

At National Star, learner voice is at the heart of everything we do. We believe in empowering students to share their experiences, advocate for themselves, and inspire others.

'Learners having their say on their day to day lives at college is invaluable to an organisation, underpinning everything we do at National Star, whilst providing 'expert by experience' input into decision making,' said Andrew Evans, Learning Programmes Co-ordinator.

'They have the opportunity to take ownership of their college experience and be empowered to make decisions, as well as develop key advocacy skills, whilst National Star gains the benefit of knowledgeable and expert feedback to ensure our service is of a high quality. Providing students with the platform to voice their opinions and perspectives really is a win-win'

Our work-based learning student Mike is on an exciting placement with True Tone Music in Cheltenham, learning employment...
10/03/2026

Our work-based learning student Mike is on an exciting placement with True Tone Music in Cheltenham, learning employment-based skills and showcasing his enthusiasm for music! 🎸 🌟

Owner of True Tone Music, Tom Lawrence said 'I am excited to be supporting Mike. Mike is very enthusiastic about music and I am proud to be able to encourage his enthusiasm, and show him how my shop operates. I hope he keeps the excitement and can make music an important part of his life. Music makes life better for everyone!'

Are you an employer wanting to see what opportunities we offer in supporting learners to achieve their work-based learning goals? Register for our Reverse Job Fair on Tuesday 17 March 2026 to speak directly to students, giving them the opportunity to sell themselves, build confidence, and develop their communication skills.

Register today: https://www.nationalstar.org/events/reverse-jobs-fair/

Want to learn more about British bats and how you can support them?National Star residential students, day students acco...
09/03/2026

Want to learn more about British bats and how you can support them?

National Star residential students, day students accompanied by a family member and colleagues are invited to join Sustainability Lead Elaine Hodgin on an informative bat walk around the campus on Tuesday 24 March from 6.45pm.

National Star's Ullenwood campus is a haven for three known species of bats - common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle and serotine.

Bats will be just coming out of hibernation at the end of the month so now is a great time to learn more about Britain's only true flying mammal.

The short walk will take participants through a woodland corridor where, using bat detectors, we hope to locate this shy protected species as it hunts for insects.

The Gloucestershire Nature Recovery Strategy earmarks National Star at Ullenwood as an area of particular importance for biodiversity and we are doing everything we can to safeguard, manage and enhance our estate for nature.

Interested in joining the walk? Email ehodgin@nationalstar.org to register to attend.

International Women's Day is the perfect time to acknowledge the inspirational and talented women who work, live and lea...
08/03/2026

International Women's Day is the perfect time to acknowledge the inspirational and talented women who work, live and learn with us at National Star.

Over 70% of National Star's workforce are women, each day working tirelessly to improve the lives of young people with disabilities, and we are so proud of them.

Which female colleague, student or resident would you like to acknowledge today and why?

💪 International Women's Day

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About National Star

At National Star, we’re driven by our vision for a world in which people with disabilities are able to realise their potential as equal and active citizens in control of their lives. This sits at the heart of everything we do, from the personalised and world-class learning we provide via National Star College to training, specialist services and our work in the wider community.