Steering a course through the pandemic

From the beginning of the pandemic, National Star decided to remain open for those who needed our care and support.

We have young people and adults who consider National Star their home in our long–term living accommodation, as well as many learners who remain with us all year round. It was critical that we provided that continuity of care, therapeutic support and learning to the highest level that we were able.

We were only able to do so thanks to the resilience and dedication of all staff to quickly – and creatively – adapt to sudden and constant changes caused by the pandemic. We were able to draw on the experience of the first lockdown in March 2020 to create contingencies, which enabled us to manage the challenging year from September 2020. We are fortunate that 80% of our income comes directly from statutory bodies, such as the Education and Skills Funding Agency, local authorities and the NHS. Yet, the 20% we receive through fundraising and other income generation activities is vital for us to maintain and develop the high quality level of facilities, resources and specialist equipment that underpin the quality of our provision. The pandemic had a major effect on those income generation activities throughout the year.

We started the new academic year in learning clusters, which enabled us to prepare for the second wave in November. When we were no longer able to access the community, staff developed innovative work–based schemes within college so that learning could continue.

In December, in line with government guidance, National Star introduced a regular testing regime for all staff and students. By 31 August, National Star had completed more than 103,500 Lateral Flow tests and more than 37,600 PCR tests. These tests became an integral part of our infection control regime. The beginning of the spring term proved to be the most challenging of the pandemic. Learners returned on 3 January with the lockdown announced on 4 January. The majority of learners had returned to college and staffing became a critical issue as the number of COVID–19 cases reached its highest levels. While restrictions started to ease from April onwards, the NHS Test and Trace, mandatory vaccinations and high level of COVID–19 related staff absences persisted until the end of August. The long–term challenges for the charity remain immense. The economic pressures, resulting from the spending during the pandemic, will affect National Star in the years ahead. There is now an even greater need for National Star to work closely with the government and local authorities to ensure that the needs of young people with complex disabilities are not overlooked during the period of austerity, which is likely to follow.

Our supporters have stood by us at a time when many have faced their own challenges, and they have donated and helped fund the additional costs the charity faced and given us the encouragement to ensure that we continue to provide our services. To read in more detail about how the charity managed the pandemic, please see the principal risks and uncertainties section on page 27.

How we kept people safe

In 2020 – 2021 we used:

12,375 37,600

isolation gowns

PCR tests

103,500 393,900

LFD tests

facemasks

National Star stayed open throughout the pandemic

Vaccination Day

When the COVID–19 vaccine was unveiled, National Star swung into action. National Star’s senior managers, parents and learners, including the president of the Student Union, lobbied MPs and NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups so that we could get people vaccinated as soon as possible.

National Star’s college GP, Dr Iain Jarvis, was determined that all learners receive the vaccine. By vaccinating every learner, it would enable the college to move a step closer to normality and ensure all learners, including those who are clinically extremely vulnerable, had access to a broader range of learning and therapies.

All available resources were utilised to ensure Vaccination Day was a success on 28 January. Staff had just a week’s notice to prepare the learners and plan what was a massive logistical challenge.

It was a great success and by April, all National Star learners, including those in Hereford and Wales, and long–term residents, who were able to be vaccinated, had received both vaccinations.

National Star was one of the first specialist colleges in the country to see its learners vaccinated, demonstrating the charity’s very proactive approach in the pandemic.

National Star operated a drive–through vaccination clinic

National Star took on the battle of ensuring our young people were recognised as extremely vulnerable “ and have been huge advocates championing their needs.

Parent Louise Joslin

“