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National Star - lighting up the lives of young people




'National Star' is an apt name for the foundation providing a guiding light for young people.


It helps those with disabilities and learning difficulties with their journeys in life, providing the support they need. David Ellis, their Chief Executive, outlined the education, personal development, care and accommodation services they provide.


"[We enable] young people to realise their potential, who may not have that opportunity due to the support they need as a result of their disabilities or medical needs," he said.


"We are one of the few specialist colleges in the country to provide residential education, enabling young people to develop all the skills they need to transition into adulthood and become as independent as they can."


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When asked about the most rewarding element of his job, he said, "it's the students and residents we support and seeing them achieve so much when society has often written them off."


He mentioned a success story about a student with autism who attended a theatre for the first time. "Working with our specialist teams, the student has learned how to cope with their anxiety and manage their own behaviour...that is life-changing."


On how the charity measures success, Ellis said: "[it's] for every young person to be able to live as independent a life as they are able, and to have an active role in their life and society.


"Too often young people with disabilities are expected to be passive, to be grateful for whatever care/support they receive. This is regardless of [whether] it is the most appropriate support and care to enable them to develop and grow. It is important for their voice, their needs and their wishes, [which] should be driving the local and national agenda for services and support for people with disabilities."


The Office for National Statistics found that disabled people are nearly twice as likely to be unemployed as those able-bodied. "There continues to be a disparity in the workplace for people with disabilities," Ellis said.


"We, as a society, must also understand that some people with complex disabilities will not be able to work in a paid position but they can still be active citizens and have an important contribution to our community."


To make the world an easier place for disadvantaged people to navigate, Ellis said: "I would like to see more employment opportunities for young people with disabilities. More importantly, a more equal society where [these] young people can make their own choices - on where they want to live and how they want to live their lives, rather than it simply being a constant challenge for their families to fight for that choice."

To discover more about National Star - https://www.nationalstar.org










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