As The Press reported at the time, the blaze ripped through Ad Astra on Elvington Industrial Estate at 4.44am on December 5 2023.
The business is an alternative education provider that allows young people to study a range of vocational skills and complete functional skills qualifications and a year on they now have a new home – still on the same estate – they have extended their team and they have a third more post-16 learners than they had a year ago.
“It’s been a real labour of love, but a lot of the work has been done by our learners – it’s been great real life experience for our learners and because they have helped make things they treat everything so well and are very respectful because they’ve invested their own time and effort it making it happen.
“The community in York have been so generous and we are very grateful for everything – we’d like to say thank you very much to everyone who has helped out.”
Over the last nine years, Sam and Lyz Shaw have built up an alternative learning environment for youngsters who need additional support in a variety of different ways.
Ad Astra’s activities include animal care, horticulture, health and fitness programs, mechanics, and construction. In addition, they provide a robust educational package covering subjects such as maths, English, and PSHE, equipping young people with the essential tools for a successful future.
To mark the anniversary and by way of thanks Ad Astra opened their doors to the local community today (December 5) to show people round and they are putting on a Winter barbecue with refreshments.
