Lightyear Foundation

A collage of 3 photos on a purple background. The Lightyear Foundation logo sits at the top. The bottom image shows a Formula 1 race car with pupils stood around it. The top left image is a hand holding leaflets that are titled 'neighbourhood plant architect' and the final image shows pupils leaning on a desk and looking at a sheet that says 'Type of Green Job'

Recently, students from Briarwood School visited UWE for a Work Inspiration Trip (funded by the Night Sky Foundation), introducing them to university life and the world of engineering and technology. Students could see how what they were learning applies to real-world innovation and future careers.

A promotional graphic for the Lightyear Foundation’s SEND in STEM event. The background is white with green and purple curved shapes and bubble-like circles. In the middle are three images, the first is someone holding a kettle with steam whilst wearing lab goggles and protective gloves. The second is a group of people from the network wearing lanyards and gathered together for a photos. The final image shares a young person talking with a microphone in front of a Lightyear Foundation banner.

We're delighted to share that sign-ups are now OPEN for our next SEND in STEM event, taking place at the Manchester Deaf Centre on April 22nd, 2-5pm!

Link to sign up: https://forms.gle/e5StMCKQyKx7nr9JA

#SENDinSTEM

#EngineeringCareers #motorsport #STEM #FutureEngineers #sendinstem #lightyearfoundation

Students from #TrinitySchool visited the #BritishMotorMuseum for an Engineering & F1 Work Inspiration Trip.

From pit stop challenges and RC car racing to exploring iconic vehicles and meeting teams, marketing and archives, it was an inspiring day connecting motorsport to real-world careers.

#lightyearfoundation #workinspiration #engineering #FutureEngineers #sendinstem #howmet #coppiceacademy

Students from Coppice Academy visited JCB for an Engineering Work Inspiration Trip 🚜

From exploring JCB’s story to seeing the factory assembly line in action, it was an eye-opening day inspiring future careers in engineering and manufacturing. 🌟

Funded by @howmetaerospace.bsky.social

A promotional graphic for the Lightyear Foundation’s SEND in STEM Network session. The background is white with green and purple curved shapes and bubble-like circles. At the top, small text reads: “Save the Date! 22nd April 2026, Manchester Deaf Centre” Beneath it, larger text states: “From Access to Agency: Co-producing Inclusive STEM.” Beneath this title are three rectangular images. Image 1: Chloe is wearing safety goggles and gloves is pouring a steaming liquid from a metal kettle into a container during a science demonstration. The background shows STEM equipment on a table. Image 2: A group of 25 people wearing lanyards stand in a group together smiling at the camera, from our SEN in STEM event in 2023. Image 3: A young person enthusiastically holds a microphone while standing in front of banners that read “Lightyear Foundation”. The Lightyear Foundation logo sits at the top right. Towards the bottom right are three cog wheels in the Lightyear colours (pink, orange and blue).

Save the date! Join our next SEND in STEM event on the 22nd April 2026 at the Manchester Deaf Centre.

This event will explore how we create STEM spaces where disabled and neurodivergent young people feel a genuine sense of belonging, influence, and ownership.

More information to follow!

#ReachForTheSky #InclusiveSTEM #AviationForAll #DisabledLed #FutureAviators #AccessForAll #LightyearFoundation #DepartmentforTransport #CivilAviationAuthority

[Image Description] A large, diverse group of young people and adults pose together in a hall with a wooden floor and exposed brick wall. Many have their arms outstretched as if flying, smiling and facing the camera. Some people are standing, others are seated or using wheelchairs. Large text at the top reads “Reach for the Sky - Challenge Fund,” and logos at the bottom show “Funded by UK Government” and “Lightyear Foundation.”

✈️ Big news! Lightyear Foundation has secured funding from the Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund.

Supported by Department for Transport & delivered by the Civil Aviation Authority, this will help us create inclusive pathways into aviation for disabled & neurodivergent children.

More soon ✨

#LightyearFoundation #Trustees #InclusiveLeadership #DisabledAndNeurodivergentInSTEM #STEMForAll

[Image Description] Three people chat in a conference room, with one person, Peter, standing and smiling while two others (Left: apprentice board member Chloe. Right: unknown) sit and listen. Other people are seated at tables in the background, and a “Lightyear Foundation” logo appears on the wall.

Today we’re saying a huge thank you to our outgoing Chair, Peter J Roberts, and a warm welcome to new Co-Chairs Lucy Williams and Josie Rawes.

We're so grateful for Peter’s inclusive leadership and excited for the next chapter breaking down barriers in STEM. 💜

#BigGiveChristmasChallenge #LightyearFoundation #ThankYou #STEMforAll #Inclusion #CharityImpact

YouTube video by Lightyear Foundation Lightyear Foundation Fundraising Video

One week on from the Big Give and we’re still so grateful.

Thanks to your support, we raised £14,302 from 100 donations, smashing our £14k goal.

This week we showed how STEM builds confidence. youtu.be/IKbHPOKRy4w?...

You can still support us: www.lightyearfoundation.org/donate

#BigGiveChristmasChallenge #DoubleYourImpact #STEMForAll #inclusionmatters #lightyearfoundation #stemwithoutlimits #charity #MatchedFunding #ChristmasCampaign #AKOFoundation #givingseason

We’ve hit our Big Give target a day early! Thank you to everyone who donated and shared - your generosity has been the real catalyst this Christmas ⭐🎄

There’s still time to give before midday tomorrow. Donations won’t be doubled, but every gift still counts.

lightyearfoundation.org/big-give

#BigGiveChristmasChallenge #DoubleYourImpact #STEMForAll #inclusionmatters #lightyearfoundation #stemwithoutlimits #charity #MatchedFunding #ChristmasCampaign #AKOFoundation #givingseason

Chloe is wearing safety goggles and gloves is pouring a steaming liquid from a metal kettle into a container during a science demonstration. The background shows STEM equipment on a table. At the bottom, white text reads: “If you can, please support Lightyear this week. Your donation doesn’t just fund programmes – it changes lives. I know, because it changed mine. ~ Chloe (18).” The Lightyear Foundation logo appears underneath the quote.

A purple overlay covers the previous image, with the Lightyear Foundation logo and white text over the top featuring Chloe’s personal story. "When I was a teenager, hospital became a normal part of my life. Through two years of cancer treatment I missed school and time with friends, and it sometimes felt like the world was moving on without me. But in the middle of all that uncertainty, science gave me hope – a spark of possibility when everything else felt out of reach. When I discovered Lightyear Foundation, they didn’t just give me opportunities – they gave me a voice. Through their podcast project and speaking at conferences, I learned that my story mattered and that I could use my experiences to help others. Today, at 18, I’m proud to be an apprentice trustee for Lightyear Foundation, working with some other amazing disabled scientists to make sure no young person is left out of opportunities because of their health or disability. If you can, please support Lightyear this week. Your donation doesn’t just fund programmes – it changes lives. I know, because it changed mine.”

Donate now: lightyearfoundation.org/big-give

Help us reach more disabled and neurodivergent children and young people so we can continue to change lives, like Chloe's.

This weekend your donation is doubled through the Big Give. Double your impact today!

#BigGiveChristmasChallenge #DoubleYourImpact #STEMForAll #inclusionmatters #lightyearfoundation #stemwithoutlimits #charity #MatchedFunding #ChristmasCampaign #AKOFoundation #givingseason

#BigGiveChristmasChallenge #DoubleYourImpact #STEMForAll #inclusionmatters #lightyearfoundation #stemwithoutlimits #charity #MatchedFunding #ChristmasCampaign #AKOFoundation #givingseason

A group of six people stand in a row at an event, all smiling at the camera. Four young participants stand in the centre, wearing name badges and lanyards, Either side are two adults in business attire. Behind them are Lightyear Foundation banners showing disabled young people taking part in STEM activities. At the top of the image, white text reads: “The future of STEM will be neurodiverse. And thanks to Lightyear Foundation, I feel ready and proud to be part of it. ~ Harrison (19).” The Lightyear Foundation logo sits below the quote.

A purple overlay covers the previous image, with white text and the Lightyear Foundation logo over the top featuring Harrisons personal story. "Growing up neurodivergent can be tough. School wasn’t easy at all, and there were plenty of times I felt like people didn’t really get me. But I always had this thing for engineering - taking things apart, figuring out how they worked - and I was determined to follow that, no matter what. Even now, as an engineering apprentice in a factory, the challenges haven’t magically gone away. Because my neurodivergence isn’t always obvious, people can think I’m fine when actually I’m working twice as hard just to keep up. It can feel a bit like you’re trying to fit into a world that wasn’t quite built for you. That’s why Lightyear Foundation has made such a massive difference for me. They didn’t just cheer me on, they understood where I was coming from. They gave me chances to build my confidence, try new things and actually believe I belonged in STEM. And honestly, one of the wildest moments was speaking at an international engineering conference in London. Me! A lad from up north, on a stage, sharing my story and chatting to engineers from all over the world… I came away thinking, ‘Wow, I can actually do this.’ I don’t think I’d ever have had that chance without Lightyear Foundation backing me. I honestly think the future of STEM will be neurodiverse. And thanks to Lightyear Foundation, I feel ready and proud to be part of it. If you can, please support Lightyear in the Big Give this week. Every donation gets doubled, and it helps give other kids the same chances I’ve been lucky enough to have."

Donate now: lightyearfoundation.org/big-give

Help us reach more disabled and neurodivergent children and young people so we can continue to change lives, like Chloe's.

This weekend your donation is doubled through the Big Give. Double your impact today!

#BigGiveChristmasChallenge #DoubleYourImpact #STEMForAll #inclusionmatters #lightyearfoundation #STEMStories #F1inSchools #stemracing #stemwithoutlimits #charity #MatchedFunding #ChristmasCampaign #AKOFoundation #givingseason #royalacademyofengineering #ingenious

We want to hear about you! 🔬

As the Big Give continues, we want to hear your story. Were you encouraged or did you face barriers?

Every donation is doubled, helping us create more inclusive STEM experiences like F1 in Schools. 🏎️

Donate: lightyearfoundation.org/big-give

#lightyearfoundation #stemwithoutlimits #stemforall #charity #matchedfunding #christmascampaign #howmet #royalacademyofengineering #akofoundation #givingseason

Today we’re celebrating 30 STEM success stories - and we have a big ask.

Please donate £30, £1 for each incredible disabled or neurodivergent STEM story.

Your £30 becomes £60 this week. 💜

Donate: lightyearfoundation.org/big-give

We're celebrating with a lookback at out stories this year.

#lightyearfoundation #akofoundation #givingseason #inclusionwithoutlimits #stemforall #charity #matchedfunding #christmascampaign #InternationalDayofPersonswithDisabilities

🎉 We SMASHED our Day 1 target - over £2k in 24 hours!
But there’s still more to do. Like, share, donate, and help us bring the magic of STEM alive for every child 🧪✨

Your donation is doubled all week through the #BigGiveChristmasChallenge.

Donate: lightyearfoundation.org/big-give

STEM Without Limits – Big Give This Christmas, help us bring inspiring, hands-on STEM to twice as many disabled and neurodivergent children across the UK. During …

Donate today: lightyearfoundation.org/big-give

Big Give starts TOMORROW!

From 2 - 9 Dec, every donation to Lightyear Foundation will be doubled. Just £5 (doubled to £10!) kits two students for our Lightyear Labs!

If you can’t donate, sharing + engaging helps hugely.

Our campaign video launches Tues 2nd @ 3pm - don’t miss it! 🎬

[Image Description] A graphic with a large yellow banner across the middle reading: “Meet Our New Board Members” in bold black text. Features seven portraits of Lightyear Foundation’s new trustees arranged in two rows on a purple background with molecular design patterns. Top row (left to right): Chloe - smiling, wearing a dark blue top with a white background. Tony - smiling, with short hair and a beard, wearing a dark shirt. Mitch - smiling, bald, wearing glasses and a dark blazer. Lisa - smiling, with long brown hair, wearing a light top, with a bright background. Bottom row (left to right): Paul - smiling, wearing glasses, a dark turban, and a jacket, standing outdoors. Julie - smiling, wearing glasses and a light cardigan, with pink hair. George - smiling, with long dark hair, wearing a black shirt.

We’re thrilled to welcome 7 new trustees to the Lightyear Foundation Board 🌟

Their expertise and passion will help us make STEM more inclusive for every young person 💜

Meet the team: www.lightyearfoundation.org/our-team

We’re also saying goodbye to Camila for her compassion impact!

One week to go until the #BigGiveChristmasChallenge begins!🎄

This means that between 2-9 December, every donation to Lightyear Foundation will be doubled by the #BigGive

Learn more and get ready to Give BIG:
www.lightyearfoundation.org/make-a-donat...

#GivingSeason #Charity #ChristmasCampaign