Hereford-based charity, National Star, has launched ambitious plans to support more local young people with special education needs and disabilities (SEND).

Currently celebrating its 10^th anniversary, the charity opened the Eveson Centre in Ledbury Road in 2020, a facility designed to provide the specialist environment to meet the increasingly-complex needs of learners.

And, in just four years, the number of young people attending National Star has grown by 50%.

Now the charity has launched a £450,000 appeal to expand its facilities to meet the growing need.

National Star wants to build a two-storey extension that will include two new classrooms, two additional personal care rooms, a multi-skills kitchen, and communal spaces. It will also make improvements to the existing main building to accommodate more learners with a wide range of needs.

The construction project will cost £685,000 and the charity has already received some pledges of support from individuals, trusts, and foundations towards its fundraising target.

Sasha Narey, provision manager at National Star in Hereford, said: “These new facilities will enable us to support more young people and be able to adapt to meet their needs.

“We passionately believe that the young people of Hereford are worth investing in, but we need help to make that happen.

“By supporting our appeal, you will be building a brighter future for the county’s young people with disabilities and that will make our county an even better place to live.”