Much-loved Gloucestershire college National Star has begun a £6 million building project to help it support even more young people with complex disabilities, revealing it is has a shortfall in funds to finish the work.
Construction firm Speller Metcalfe is already forging ahead on the new specialist residence at the much-loved charity’s Ullenwood site, a project designed by Cheltenham architects coombes:everitt, with the college hoping it can raise the outstanding £1.5 million to ensure completion.
When finished it will provide specially-adapted accommodation for young people with disabilities that fully meets their complex needs, replacing an existing residence in Gloucester.
National Star has launched a public appeal for help to raise the shortfall with the hope it can keep the project on track to complete in summer of 2023.
‘There is an incredible need for the services National Star provides. This new specialist accommodation will ensure National Star will be able to meet the needs of young people for years to come,’ said Paul Styles, chair of trustees at National Star.
Each of the 13 bedrooms will have specialist overhead tracking hoists and en-suite facilities ensuring that privacy and dignity can be maintained for those with high levels of personal care needs, with wide corridors to accommodate large electric wheelchairs.
There will also be sensory and break-out spaces to support those with autism, sensory processing disorders and behaviours that challenge as well as large communal areas which will be used for life skills sessions.
Other companies whose expertise have made the project possible include Burnley Wilson Fish, SF Planning and MHP Design, all based in Cheltenham, David Smith Associates of Cirencester, and APA Construction Consultancy and Nuttall Engineering.
More details of how to help can be found on the National Star website.
