Kate and Amanda had an amazing time at our show! They attended with family and friends who would usually struggle to spend time all together. From getting her face painted, to dancing with friends during the show, and getting a snap with the Starr Squad, Kate had a magical experience at Circus Starr!

Amanda explained that both she and Kate’s dad work full-time, which limits their opportunities for quality family time. She shared, “Kate has Downs Syndrome; as such, she struggles with loud noises and gets easily overwhelmed. Also, she can be quite stubborn if she does not like the situation she is in. She has hypermobility too, so she struggles with steps and needs a venue to be accessible.”

Due to these challenges, Kate attends a local authority school tailored for young people with moderate learning difficulties and/or Autism Spectrum Conditions. Because of this we provided her school with free tickets to the show, and her friends were able to apply for tickets online.

Amanda emphasised how beautiful it was that the event brought together so many children and adults with learning disabilities from the local community – individuals who might not have the opportunity to connect otherwise. Thanks to generous donations from local businesses, we are able to offer free tickets for our inclusive and accessible shows, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to experience the magic, regardless of their circumstances.

“As it was cost free it enabled the whole family to attend which was good for inter family relationships. The show allowed a lot of families to get together with other families who also have children and young adults with additional needs in a non-threatening supportive environment.”

Kate and her friends enjoying themselves at Circus Starr.

“At the event when Kate felt overwhelmed, she could wear her ear defenders without anyone even looking at her – also parents whose children had ASD or ADHD were having meltdowns. The staff were understanding and supported parents.”

This sense of belonging and shared experience is incredibly valuable, especially for children like Kate. It fosters social interactions and helps build friendships, enhancing their overall well-being. We asked Amanda if Kate is still talking about Circus Starr…

“Yes, every day and all parts of the show!  She would love to go again and would love to try to learn some circus skills. Kate has even got some hula hoops to practice it for herself and talks about the circus to us at home.  She re-enacts the performers with her barbies!”

We know Kate is looking forward to coming to our show again! With the support of local businesses we can continue to provide schools, organisations and charities with more free tickets to our show. Bringing the local community together to encourage, educate and inspire the next generation of STARRS!

“It was a special day for Kate as my husband, and I took Kate and two of her friends with us – so they shared the experience and still talk about it daily at school. It is difficult for Kate to go places with her friends outside of school as her school mates come from a wide catchment area and are not local to each other.”