About Us

From creative arts, animal experiences, hydrotherapy, and dance sessions to social groups, family events, outdoor adventures, and much more, we create opportunities for people to learn new skills, make friends, build confidence, and enjoy experiences that might otherwise be out of reach.

Every activity is designed with accessibility, affordability, and enjoyment in mind, ensuring people can take part in ways that work for them.

But what we do is about much more than activities.

Families often come to us looking for information, advice, recommendations, and support. Over the years, we have become a trusted source of guidance, helping people navigate services, access useful resources, and connect with organisations that can make everyday life easier.

Our specialist online shop also provides affordable sensory and disability-related products nationwide, with every purchase helping to support and sustain our work.

The need for affordable and accessible opportunities across Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire remains significant. According to the 2021 Census, more than a quarter of households in Hull include at least one disabled person. Many families also face financial challenges, making affordable activities, practical support, and welcoming communities more important than ever.

Recent data shows that during the 2024-25 academic year, almost one in five children in Hull had identified special educational needs or disabilities, with some mainstream primary schools supporting pupils with additional needs at rates approaching one in three children. This highlights the growing demand for inclusive services, activities, and community support for local families.

Yet access to inclusive opportunities remains a challenge. According to Access Is Everything's State of Access Report, 94% of disabled people experience barriers when attending live events, demonstrating how exclusion remains a reality for many people with disabilities and additional needs. As a result, accessible, affordable, and inclusive community activities are more important than ever in helping people connect, participate, and feel part of their community.

Every year, hundreds of new members join Special Stars Foundation, reflecting both the growing demand for inclusive provision and the trust families place in our organisation. During 2025-26 alone, we delivered more than 200 activities, creating over 4,800 participation opportunities for children, young people, and adults.

But behind every activity, every friendship formed, and every achievement celebrated is a person with their own story.

We know that confidence can grow from a single opportunity. A friendship can begin with a shared activity. A family can feel less isolated when they meet others who understand their experiences.

That's why Special Stars exists.

We work alongside schools, healthcare professionals, charities, businesses, and community organisations to strengthen local support networks and improve access to opportunities across the region.

Looking ahead, we plan to continue developing resources that respond directly to community needs, including the return of our sensory room and specialist equipment lending library.

A world where people with disabilities and/or special educational needs can experience empowerment, potential, respect and unity.

To improve the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities and special educational needs across Hull and East Yorkshire by creating inclusive opportunities, delivering meaningful activities, and providing support, training, and advice to parent carers.

Everything we do is guided by four core values:

Empowerment

We help people build confidence, develop skills, and recognise their own potential.

Positivity

We focus on strengths, celebrate achievements, and encourage people to recognise what they can achieve.

Inclusivity

We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to participate, belong, and be heard.

Kindness

We treat people with compassion, respect, and understanding.

Louise has spent her career helping people and creating opportunities for others. She began as an NHS physiotherapist before moving into fundraising and charity leadership, building more than two decades of experience across health, education, disability support, and the third sector.

Her journey into charity work began through personal experience. Following her eldest child's cancer diagnosis, Louise and her family became involved in fundraising, which led to her first role with a children's hospital in Scotland. From there, she went on to work with children with special educational needs in schools before returning to the charity sector.

Before joining Special Stars Foundation, Louise spent eleven years with Teenage Cancer Trust, where she ultimately led the Community Fundraising Team across the North of the UK. During that time, she consistently exceeded fundraising targets and helped her team achieve a record-breaking £1.7 million in income.

When Louise and her family moved to Hull, she was keen to use her experience to make a difference within a local charity. Having worked with disabled children and adults throughout her career and drawing on her own lived experience as the parent of a child with ADHD, she immediately connected with the mission of Special Stars Foundation.

“I feel incredibly privileged to see the impact of our work every day and to be part of such a dedicated and talented team.”

Louise's vision is to develop Special Stars Foundation into a thriving Community Disability Hub, providing opportunities, support, and a sense of belonging for individuals and families across the region. She is passionate about ensuring that people with disabilities and special educational needs help shape the services, activities, and future direction of the organisation.

Looking ahead, Louise is committed to expanding the charity's reach, strengthening partnerships, and creating even more opportunities for people with disabilities and additional needs to connect, learn, and thrive.

Ben discovered his passion for helping people overcome challenges and reach their full potential while working at Bishop Burton College, where he supported students with additional needs. One student was failing his course and seemed destined to miss out on university. Ben wasn't prepared to give up on him. By giving his time, encouragement, and support, he helped the student pass his course and move on to university.

Today, Ben runs a wide range of activities at Special Stars Foundation, helping people with disabilities and special educational needs learn new skills, make friends, try new experiences, and most importantly, have fun.

With a Level 6 Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre Studies, Ben also brings a wealth of experience from the performing arts. Alongside his role at Special Stars, he has spent many years acting, directing, and running theatre projects across the region. He regularly performs at Hull New Theatre and with Hessle Theatre, most recently taking on the title role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

“If one session helps someone feel happier, more confident, or simply gives them something to look forward to, then it's worth it.”

For Ben, the best part of the job is getting to know people, seeing friendships grow, and watching people gain confidence over time.

Looking ahead, Ben would love to see something happening every day of the week. With activities already expanding into Driffield and Scarborough, he's excited about bringing even more events, experiences, and opportunities to people across the region.

As Ben puts it, the aim is simple: “Do more and charge less.” He believes activities should be easy to access, affordable, and open to everyone who wants to get involved.

Anastasiia brings more than 13 years of experience in marketing, communications, and brand development, having worked with organisations across the UK, Europe, the USA, and Asia. Throughout her career, she has helped businesses and charities grow their reach, build strong brands, and connect with the people they serve.

Alongside her professional work, Anastasiia has spent more than a decade as a playwright, with her work being staged in both Ukraine and the UK. At the heart of her writing has always been a fascination with people's stories, especially stories of resilience, courage, and hope in the face of adversity. She believes that everyone has a story worth telling and that there is nothing more powerful than helping people feel seen, heard, and understood.

This belief has shaped much of her work beyond marketing. She has worked with children with special educational needs through theatre projects and later led a theatre group for Ukrainian refugee children in East Yorkshire, creating a safe space for young people to express themselves, build confidence, and connect with others.

As a Ukrainian who rebuilt her life in the UK after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Anastasiia gained an even deeper appreciation for the importance of community, belonging, and human connection. The experience reinforced values she had carried throughout her life: helping people overcome challenges, recognising their strengths, and creating opportunities to thrive.

At Special Stars Foundation, Anastasiia combines her marketing expertise with a genuine passion for inclusion. She helps raise awareness of the charity's work, develop retail and ecommerce initiatives that generate vital income, strengthen community partnerships, and support new opportunities for people with disabilities and special educational needs.

“For me, Special Stars is where professional experience and personal values meet. It's an opportunity to use the skills I've developed throughout my career to help create a community where people feel welcome, supported, and able to thrive.”

Josie's connection with Special Stars Foundation began by chance during a visit to the charity's sensory shop with her son, who, like Josie, is autistic and has ADHD. At the time, she was navigating her own autism and ADHD assessment journey and developing a deeper understanding of neurodiversity within her family. As she discovered more about the organisation behind the shop, she found herself drawn to its values, its welcoming approach, and the opportunities it creates for people with disabilities and special educational needs and their families across Hull and East Yorkshire.

One evening, after putting her son to bed, Josie made a decision that would change her career path. Despite there being no advertised vacancies, she searched for the charity's CEO's contact details, sent over her CV, and asked if there might be a way for her to get involved.

“I remember thinking, 'I'm just going to do it.' A few days later, Louise replied, and I thought, 'Oh my God, she replied!' Suddenly, it felt like it could become something real.”

Bringing a background in sales and customer-facing roles, Josie joined the team with extensive experience in relationship management, stakeholder engagement and building trust. She saw fundraising as a natural opportunity to combine those skills with a cause she genuinely believes in.

What has impressed Josie most since joining Special Stars Foundation is the level of care shown by everyone involved.

“It's the amount of care people have that stands out. Whether it's leading an inclusive activity or changing the colour of a poster to make it more accessible, people genuinely care about getting things right.”

Josie is particularly inspired by the organisation's ambitions for the future and by the role fundraising plays in helping bring those ambitions to life. She is excited to build relationships with supporters, funders, businesses and community partners who share the charity's vision of creating more opportunities for people with disabilities and special educational needs and their families.

As someone who is autistic and has ADHD herself, Josie is passionate about recognising the strengths that neurodiversity can bring. She believes qualities such as creativity, determination and hyperfocus can be powerful assets, helping people turn ideas into action and overcome challenges.

“I don't see my ADHD and autism as limitations. They're my superpower. They help me take an idea, focus on it completely, and find a way to make it happen.”

Kirsty brings over 15 years of experience as a qualified Social Worker, with a career spanning frontline practice, leadership, and strategic development. Passionate about tackling inequality and improving outcomes for vulnerable people and communities, she has dedicated her professional life to creating positive change.

Alongside her role at Special Stars Foundation, Kirsty is Executive Director of the Matthew Good Foundation, supporting charities, community groups, and changemakers to deliver lasting social impact. As Chair of Trustees, she provides leadership, guidance, and a strong commitment to ensuring Special Stars continues to grow and thrive.

“I am passionate about championing wellbeing, supporting people to develop, and creating environments where both individuals and ideas can flourish.”

Samantha brings almost two decades of experience from the legal sector, providing valuable expertise in governance, decision-making, and compliance. She supports the Board through careful consideration of policies, documentation, and strategic decisions, helping ensure the charity remains strong and well-governed.

Having volunteered with Special Stars Foundation for several years before becoming a Trustee, Samantha has developed a deep understanding of the charity and the people it supports.

“I am committed to ensuring we provide the support, opportunities, and experiences that our service users and their families need and deserve.”

John brings a strong background in technology, problem-solving, and strategic thinking to the Board. As the parent of a child with additional needs, he has first-hand experience of the challenges many families face and is passionate about helping create opportunities for both individuals and their carers.

Alongside his role as Trustee, John runs a football team for children with special needs, reflecting his commitment to inclusion, community, and helping young people thrive through sport.

“Every family deserves access to support, understanding, and opportunities within their local community.”

Bela brings expertise in marketing, brand development, and business growth, helping to raise awareness of Special Stars Foundation and strengthen its impact across the region. Her professional background combines strategic marketing, accounting, and business development, providing valuable insight into the charity's long-term growth and sustainability.

With strong connections throughout the local community, Bela is passionate about building partnerships and creating opportunities that help the charity reach even more people.

“Collaboration and strong community relationships are key to creating lasting positive change.”