A HEREFORD charity has been chosen to benefit from the Hereford Times Health and Social Care Awards this year.

National Star transforms the lives of young people with disabilities and learning difficulties in Hereford.

When the charity first set up in Hereford in 2014 it had just six students and was based at Hereford Academy.

Now National Star owns 1 Ledbury Road, the permanent home for seven adults with disabilities and 36 students accessing the Eveson Centre.

In just four years the number of people attending National Star has grown by 50 per cent. The charity has launched a £450,000 appeal to expand the Eveson Centre to meet the  need.

Thanks to National Star opening its long-term living property, one Hereford-born resident was able to move back and be near his family after living outside the county for eight years.

National Star wants to build a two-storey extension to the Eveson Centre that will include two new classrooms, two additional personal care rooms, a kitchen and communal space. It will also make improvements to the existing main building.

National Star opened a charity shop in Hereford in 2022 and it goes from strength to strength. Students can do work experience in the shop, gaining vital on-the-job training.

“Our growth shows the incredible need in Hereford,” says Lynette Barrett, Chief Executive National Star. “We passionately believe that the young people of Hereford are worth investing in, but we need your help to make that happen.”

To find out how you can support National Star in Hereford go to:  https://www.nationalstar.org/herefordappeal

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What are the Health and Social Care Awards?

The Health and Social Care Awards are an annual award ceremony, held by the Hereford Times, to recognise the hard work, dedication, innovation, and care delivered across our county’s health and social care sector. With focus on the individuals and their stories, it’s the people who make the difference.

In recent years, the people of Herefordshire have shown their support for the awards by nominating someone they know who deserves it. We hope that communities will join together once more in celebrating people like Altogether Care.

The Health and Social Care Awards 2024 will take place on Thursday October 3, 7pm at the Hereford racecourse, but the closing date for nominations is August 4, 2024.

You can nominate your health hero by visiting www.herefordtimes.com/awards/healthandsocialcare2024/