National Star students prepare to leave amidst some uncertain futures
BBCAs part of a BBC project, we've been following the lives of students at National Star College in Gloucestershire.
The six students are at the college which provides specialist further education for people with disabilities. Now, some of them are preparing to leave and live independent lives.
There was everything a college leaving ceremony should have - tears, cheers, hugs and farewells.
For some there was excitement but others uncertainty. Four out of our six students from the class of 2026 are now moving on with their time at National Star at an end.
There is a mixture of opportunities for them. Some, though, are having to move back home despite spending months trying to find somewhere to live independently.
Kate, from Bath, has cerebral palsy and is optimistic. She says she is sad her time at college is over but "excited about my new beginning".
She's secured a year's internship at the Royal United Hospital in Bath through the specialist college Finding Futures.
She only found out on the day of the ceremony that she'd finally got a place to live in supported accommodation in Keynsham. She hasn't got a moving in date yet but she'll be able to build on the independent skills she developed at National Star.
"Living a bit more independently, even though I'm here independently now, is important," says Kate.
"I think getting the bus maybe into town or to Bath or Bristol would be helpful because that would be another good thing for me to learn, how to use public transport.
"I've done it before but not a lot."
Kate was presented with an independence award as testament to her development over the past three years. For her parents watching on it was a huge moment.
It's the "icing on the cake", says Kate's mum, Jenni.
"All of the nice things are being said about her and how much she's achieved. We know that as parents, seeing the development, but I think just having it all brought in to one day…it's just everything.
"She's changed dramatically in the three years she's been here and we are ever so proud of her."
But they're also clear that only finding out about the accommodation now has proved how challenging the "seven or eight months of battling" with the local council has been.
"There is nothing in the community and we've had to go through a very, very long process for a bespoke package for Kate.
"It's such a stressful time for us all because of the uncertainty of what's happening.
"Today is her leaving day and I've only just found out by an email. It's confirmed that the flat's there but when is the doubt now."
Rhi, from Wales, sustained a brain injury after being starved of oxygen at birth and needs 24/7 care. Communication and independence has been key for her.
National Star has helped her learn a new communication device that can control some gadgets in her room.
She did apply to stay for another year but as she'd hit all of her development targets the Welsh government wouldn't fund another year.
Rhi programs her communicator to tell us how she is feeling.
"Its a mixture of emotions, happy and sad," she says.
She adds how difficult it is to choose a highlight of her three years at the college.
"It's impossible to pick one moment. I've loved getting to know all of my tutors and loved all of the trips I have been on."
Private carers will look after Rhi at home, paid for by a life-long medical negligence award, but the challenge for her parents is finding the right support to build on her development.
Her mum, Jane, says the work at National Star has been "brilliant" and that she has had "three wonderful years" but "we're not going to get that back at home because there aren't the facilities but we're going to try our best to give her what we can".
"There's always a fight with disabled kids," says her dad, Brian. "Those who shout loudest get the most. We don't shout very loud that's the problem."
One student with a firm plan is Chris from Gloucester who is visually impaired. He's looking forward to leaving after winning an award for student values.
His focus has been setting up his own e-commerce business and thanks to a placement at the college's charity shop in Tewkesbury, he's been learning the right skills to carry that forward.
"It's helped my confidence," he says. "There were some days when my vision was really bad and it did put me down sometimes. I couldn't do the work but by improving my confidence I was able to push through it."
Together with his guide dog, Irwin, Chris will be staying at home for the time being.
His mum, Claire, is clear what she wants for him post-college.
"He's become very independent since he's been here and obviously for that to carry on.
"Irwin helps him a great deal with his independence. I hope just to see him achieve what he wants to achieve and to be happy."
Also leaving is Billy from Worcestershire, who has cerebral palsy. Since January his parents have been talking to their local council to find him somewhere to live, but despite a few options, he still hasn't anywhere to go.
"We're nervous about finding the right place for him, somewhere where he can be happy, where he can be safe, where he can be with people who he can get on with and communicate with.
"Live as independently as possible, so carry on those skills that he's built up here. It's really proving a challenge, the transition is a challenge," says his mum, Jeanette
"We're kind of on Plan C," says dad, Rich.
But the positives of three years at National Star for Billy, like so many of the students, have been transformative.
"He's gone from being an anxious young person to a more mature young man," says Rich.
And this is part of the challenge for the students as they graduate. How can they get the support and development that they had at National Star out in the real world where there's a postcode lottery of opportunity and resources?
The Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey, whose son is severely disabled, is a guest at the leavers ceremony. He says there's more that employers could do to offer appropriate opportunities for many students who are leaving.
"One of the things that I think we need to get over is to employers is that these people have so much to offer and employers need to open their eyes," he says.
"Some are brilliant by the way, but some need to recognise that their businesses would do better if they provide work placements for these great people."
Two of the students we've been following won't be saying goodbye to National Star just yet.
Sophie from Cheltenham and Aayan from Wales have secured funding to stay for another year.
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