The Project Two former learners explain why the new development is so important on page 3.

Bringing you the latest from National Star Issue 4 Winter 13 National Star Marathon Success Welcome to StarNews National Star sports teacher The sports department is also involved My name’s Nathan Ed Grazier was the first wheelchair with a wide range of community Mattick. I am in my athlete over the line at the partnerships including local schools, second year at Half Marathon on allowing learners to get involved in National Star and I am the new 15 September. coaching pupils. This helps them to Student Union President. develop their leadership skills in sport, I decided to go for the role as I He was one of a team of 45 people to grow in confidence, and to learn to have experience of leading people taking part in the race to raise money take control of situations with minimal and I thought it would be a great for National Star. Ed says: ‘I did the or no support. opportunity for me. My role involves Cheltenham Half Marathon this year, listening to students about what Ed says watching young people and also the London Marathon, to they want us to do as a union and develop during their time at National prove to myself that I could still do it. I to try and implement it. was really pleased to be the first chair Star makes his job very rewarding. to finish. It means more when it’s a ‘You are able to see the progress that I am studying sport and I am on BTEC home race.’ they make from when they first start Level 2. I have cerebral palsy and I use at college to how they are when they a wheelchair. At my secondary school leave. For many learners, it is the first I couldn’t get involved that much but time that they have ever been away here, at National Star, the sports from home, so they are quite often department is amazing. They get lacking in confidence and need everyone involved even if they have a support with settling into college life.’ disability that might hold them back, the sports team find a way to get ‘By the end of their time here, they them involved. are usually more confident and have I love football. I am a qualified FA developed their independence. It is referee for able bodied football which Ed Grazier winning the Cheltenham satisfying to know that you have includes 5 a side to 9 a side which is Half Marathon played a part in this’ says Ed. good. I am still waiting for my call up! The 40-year-old, who has spina bifida, is part of the team of sports teachers National Star is a fantastic place. at National Star who offer a wide Since being here my independence range of sports and leisure activities to has grown. When I leave National Star all learners. This encourages them to I am hoping to work with children improve their health and well-being by aged between 5 and 11 coaching taking part in activities such as sport using the skills I have learnt swimming, boccia, wheelchair here to do this job. football, football, and wheelchair Thank you for all your support – cricket. In addition learners have the I would really like more young opportunity to study for nationally Zaynab Khan playing cricket in the people with disabilities to benefit recognised vocational courses in Sport sports hall whilst Patrick Jackson is as I have at National Star so please and Active Leisure. keeping score. keep supporting the charity in any way you can.

For almost 50 years we have been at the leading edge when it · Nicki Freeman meets HRH The comes to understanding and responding to the needs of young people and adults with complex disabilities. We invest this Countess of Wessex on Page 2. experience and expertise in shaping services which allow each · Find out what events are indivdual to develop their potential, self confidence and happening next on Page 4. independence. We work to shape a society where all people with disabilities can participate as equal and active citizens. Nicki Freeman meets the Countess of Wessex National Star student Nicki Freeman and her speech and language therapist Ashleigh Denman met her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex at an event to raise awareness of communication difficulties. The Countess, who is the Patron of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, visited the organisation to judge a photography competition. This was part of the RCSLT’s Giving Voice campaign, which aims to demonstrate the value of speech and language therapy. Ashleigh said it was wonderful to meet the Countess. ‘She was very interested in the work we do at Left to right front row: HRH The Countess of Wessex, Nicki Freeman, Ashleigh National Star and was knowledgeable Denman. Left to right back row: Peter Freeman, Nicki’s father & Sir George Cox, about the importance of speech and President of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. language therapy.’ number of different settings which ‘Coming to the National Star has The speech and language therapy can greatly improve an individual’s been good for me. I’ve really come department at National Star communication skills and unlock out of myself and am becoming more provides therapy to 118 of our their potential. Without the ability and more confident.’ learners. All have an individual to communicate people can lose Ashleigh is also able to work with Nicki programme designed to improve their confidence, become withdrawn and during her drama classes which communication skills, which vary from isolated, and vulnerable within the enables Nicki to practise making her verbal communication to non-verbal community. communication including gestures, speech as clear as it can be and so facial expressions, blinking, and body Nicki, who is 21 years old, is learning become more confident. independence skills at National Star language. Some learners also use Ashleigh said: ‘Nicki has made after acquiring a brain injury in a car technological devices to support their dramatic progress since she has been accident four years ago. communications, such as iPads and with us and now we are working on other more complex systems. ‘Ashleigh has really helped me with embedding these skills and helping At National Star there is the my speech. I used to be so shy before her prepare for when she leaves opportunity to work with a young I came to National Star. She has National Star.’ person for a long period of time in a helped me to slow down my speech and speak louder,’ said Nicki. Volunteer – your time is valuable to us National Star has had some fantastic support from ‘Volunteering with National Star has been a fantastic our volunteers during 2013. Just one example is experience, which has enabled me to gain new skills fundraising volunteer, Holly Pulham. Holly has that will help me with my future career’ said Holly. worked on a project with teachers and education If you are interested in volunteering for us we have staff at National Star College to design lesson exciting and rewarding opportunities available for plans for primary schools focussing on disability anyone to apply for. The roles include, fundraisers, awareness raising. Thanks to Holly, the lesson residential support, helping students in the classroom plans are now available to download at: or on trips, assisting with the upkeep of the campus. www.natstar.ac.uk/schoolfundraising and are If you think you have something to offer or would like being used in conjunction with our schools to gain new and exciting experiences, we would love fundraising appeal. you to join the team!

For more information: contact [email protected] or visit www.natstar.ac.uk/volunteering 2 Pittville Project Update Two former learners explain why the new development is so important.

In the last edition of StarNews we unveiled our plans for new residential accommodation in Pittville, Cheltenham. In this edition we meet two of our former learners who explain why the new development is so important. For Matthew Stokes and Simon Grimmett, who left National Star in July 2013, the opportunity to live in the community has provided them with invaluable experience Artist’s impressions of Pittville, courtesy of Coombes Everitt the Architects to prepare them for lives as young Overton is also proving expensive to in town means they can enjoy what independent adults. run and maintain, and is becoming many of us take for granted. They a drain on our limited resources. The can go shopping, meet their friends, new accommodation at Pittville will and take more control of their lives.’ provide a much-needed replacement A National Audit Office report states for Overton. that up to £1m can be saved in Matthew lived in Overton for 2 lifetime support costs for a young years. He said, ‘Living at Overton person with disabilities by providing House has helped me become more them with the skills to live in independent and has given me the semi-independent housing. freedom to get on a bus and to look Both of them lived at Overton The new purpose-built after myself. It has got me ready for House, our off campus residence accommodation would make a huge real life.’ in the centre of Cheltenham. This difference to future learners. rambling Georgian 4 storey building Simon Grimmett uses a wheelchair ‘It would change people’s lives, is leased by National Star, and is and an electronic communicator Overton House isn’t completely home to 30 of our learners in 24 to speak and before he came to suitable. It isn’t accessible to rooms. Although popular with our National Star never thought he everyone. Pittville would be and learners due to its location, it no would be able to go anywhere on his that would make such a difference’ longer meets their complex needs. own. Simon, who is now incredibly said Matthew. Some have to share bedrooms, independent said ‘I have learned to there are no ensuite facilities and be independent. I can go into town This exciting and challenging project residents have to share bathrooms on my own. I would never have been can only happen with the help of our which are located at the end of long able to do any of this if I had lived on fantastic supporters. corridors. Overton House also lacks campus.’ To find out more information about life skills facilities which enable our National Star Principal, Kathryn Rudd the new development please go to learners to develop essential life explains ‘For some learners, being www.natstar.ac.uk/pittville or email skills such as cooking. Due to its age [email protected].

Been there, bought that, now pass it on...

Donate your unwanted good quality clothing, shoes, accessories, books, DVDs, CDs, and toys to our brand new charity shops! Please drop your donations into National Star at Ullenwood or Unit 3, St Georges Business Park, Alstone Lane, Cheltenham, GL51 8HF or your local shop and don’t forget to

Could you be part of the new shop teams? Lots of different volunteer roles and hours available, please call 01242 524478 or email: Artist’s impression of what our shops [email protected] for more details. will look like. 3 Join in and change lives

Cheltenham Half Marathon For you to enjoy on-site at National A huge thank you and well done to Star – some of these activities support our 45 Team Star runners who ran our work skills for young people with 13 miles and raised nearly £6,000 for disabilities National Star. 24 of those runners StarBistro – quality food for you to enjoy. were from Cheltenham-based Business events catered for engineering company Spirax Sarco natstar.ac.uk/starbistro

Fancy taking part next year? – it’s on StarGolf – eighteen holes par 3 set across Sunday 7 September 2014. 9 fairways in stunning Cotswolds scenery Email [email protected] to Membership or pay as you play register your interest. natstar.ac.uk/stargolf StarPrint – for all your business and personal printing needs Join Team Star in one of the following Be a Star for the Day natstar.ac.uk/starprint events to raise money for National Star for the Day 2014 will be held Star. Contact the Fundraising Team on Friday 27 June. We are appealing StarShop – hand crafted gifts and cards on [email protected] or for all our supporters to be a ‘Star natstar.ac.uk/starshop 01242 524478. for the Day’ and raise money for Ullenwood Manor Conference Facilities – National Star. Harvey 100 Star Cycle Challenge hold a meeting or event in our Join us and Dr Dawn Harper from Extreme mud 5K challenge competitively priced conference facilities Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies, On Sunday 29 June, National Star natstar.ac.uk/ullenwoodmanor for a cycle ride through the beautiful will be holding its first 5K challenge countryside on event with a difference, you will face National Star is working to enable young people with disabilities to face the world Sunday 27 April 2014. Registration various obstacles on a route through with confidence and as independent is £20 and suggested minimum the grounds of National Star. young adults. As a charity we couldn’t sponsorship is £80 per participant. Star Bus Pull do what we do without the generosity of Mardi Gras Star Ball 2014 Have you got pulling power to take people like you. Please support us in any The themed ball of the year, with part in a fundraising challenge with way you can fine dining, dancing and fabulous a difference? Make a donation, large or small entertainment. Get your Early Bird We are looking for teams to take part offer of a bottle of fizz included in your By post using the form below in our fundraising bus pull taking place table price if you pay by 1 February. Online at www.natstar.ac.uk/donate in Cheltenham in June 2014. Saturday 17th May Tickets : £85 each Or call us on 01242 524478

tables of 10 or 12 facebook/nationalstar

Leave us a gift in your will - legacies are vital for our work to continue. For more on twitter @thenationalstar ✃ how to include the charity in your will, please call Holly Plummer on 01242 524478. You tube/natstarcollege

Yes, I want to help young people with disabilities to reach their potential

Name I would like to pay by Mastercard / Visa / If you are a UK taxpayer please tick below to increase your gift Charity card / Maestro (delete as appropriate) by 25% at no extra cost to you. Address I would like National Star Card number to treat this donation, and any donations I make in the future, as gift aid donations until I notify you otherwise. I confirm I have paid or Start date Expiry date Issue no will pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for each tax Postcode M M Y Y M M Y Y year (6 April to 5 April) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the charities or Community Amateur Phone Signature Sports Clubs (CASCs) that I donate to will reclaim on my gifts for that tax Email year. I understand that other taxes Date D D M M Y Y such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify. I understand the charity will Please note To keep our costs down, if you provide your email No need to acknowledge my donation reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 that I we may use it to contact you occasionally about our work. give. Please send me details of how to I would like to make a gift of: make a regular gift by Direct Debit £15 £30 £50 Other £ You can also donate online at www.natstar.ac.uk/donate Thank you I enclose a cheque/CAF voucher made payable Please use the freepost envelope provided or return to Fundraising, Please tick this box if you do to National Star National Star, Ullenwood, Cheltenham, GL53 9QU not wish to receive occasional news and information about National National Star is a working name of the National Star Foundation which is registered in England & Wales, company number 522846, charity number 220239, Star’s vital work. We will never sell Registered office Ullenwood Manor, Ullenwood, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL53 9QU or pass on your details.