We are proud to publish the Lightyear Foundation Impact Report 2025. This year, we worked directly with 1,895 deaf, disabled and neurodivergent children and young people across the UK - the highest reach in our history.

On 30th May, students from Melland School visited University of Salford for a hands-on Biomedicine Work Inspiration Trip, introducing them to the world of biomedical science. Stepping into the role of scientists for the day inspired many students, with comments including: “I feel like Scientist”

On 22 April, Lightyear Foundation hosted a successful SEND in STEM network event, bringing together a brilliantly diverse group of attendees from across the STEM and charity sectors.

This Deaf Awareness Week (4th to 10th May 2026), we’re proud to shine a light on the deaf children and young people who are part of our work, as part of our wider commitment to inclusion in STEM. At Lightyear Foundation, our work is shaped by lived experience.

We were really pleased to be named finalists at the 2026 Smiley Charity Film Awards – alongside so many powerful and inspiring films from across the sector. At Lightyear Foundation, storytelling is a big part of how we work.

We are delighted to share our new British Sign Language (BSL) page on our website. This page gives an introduction on BSL, shares some useful BSL and STEM resources and includes videos of 10 STEM signs which might be useful for exploring STEM at home and in the classroom.

We are excited to share our new Makaton Resources on our website. Watch an introduction to Makaton video where we explain Makaton and its uses, including 10 useful signs for working scientifically.

Earlier this week,  we took our Immersive Sensory Science experience to Northern Ireland. Over the week our delivery partner, Immersive Experiences have visited four Northern Ireland Special Schools to deliver immersive pop-up planetarium domes.

Students from Longstone School recently visited Belfast City Airport for a Work Inspiration Trip exploring engineering and technology. They were introduced to airport operations, took part in hands-on STEM activities, and visited the on-site Fire and Rescue Service.  #rtetoyshowappeal

Voting closes for the Smiley Charity Film Awards on 23rd April! We are finalists for the People's Choice Award but we need your help and support.

Sign-ups are closing THIS FRIDAY for next week's SEND in STEM Event! We're excited to see you at the Manchester Deaf Centre on April 22nd, 2pm-5pm.

We would love to welcome you to the launch of a new set of accessible resources designed to support deaf, disabled and neurodivergent young people to engage in STEM learning, including videos of useful BSL signs for key STEM concepts and supporting materials available on our website.

At Lightyear Foundation we celebrate the incredible diversity that exists within the autistic experience and how different autistic lives can look. We understand how important it is that autistic people get the support they need to access the joy, wonder and opportunities that STEM can provide.

We're delighted to share that we have developed 10 new STEM concepts with The Makaton Charity and we will be launching them at our online event on 23rd April.

A reminder that we are finalists for the People's Choice Award for the Smiley Charity Film Awards, but we need your help and support to be voted People's Choice.

Only 4 weeks to go until the Lightyear Foundation welcomes you to Manchester for our next SEND in STEM event!  We'll have talks, workshops, and plenty of tea and coffee - sign up now to get all of the details. https://shorturl.at/eSGsD #SENDinSTEM #sendinstemnetwork

In January we visited Melland High School with our Immersive Sensory Science experience (funded by Howmet Aerospace) where students got the opportunity to visit the pop-up planetarium dome. Students were very excited ahead of entering the dome, with many saying, “Wow!” when they went in.

We need your support! We are finalists in the Smiley Charity Film Awards for the People's Choice Awards but we need your vote.   Fingers crossed!  https://smileycharityfilmawards.com/films/fuelling-future-engineers-f1-engineering-lightyear-labs

This week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week. At Lightyear Foundation we are privileged to work alongside deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent colleagues and collaborators who shape our mission and our impact.

Sign Language Week (16–22 March) is a celebration of British Sign Language and the vibrant culture and community of deaf people across the UK.

British Science Week is running from 6-16th March and this year the theme is 'Smashing Stereotypes, celebrating the diverse people and careers in science and engineering.

Students from SGS Pegasus School recently visited Tilbury Douglas for a Work Inspiration Trip exploring engineering and construction. They were introduced to the company’s work and learned about the build process, the different roles involved, and the importance of health and safety.  #howmet

Lightyear Foundation is a unique UK charity transforming access to STEM for deaf, disabled and neurodivergent children and young people.

We are thrilled to announce that our film 'Fuelling Future Engineers - F1 Engineering Lightyear Labs' has been shortlisted in the 2026 Smiley Charity Film Awards in the £100,000 - 250,000 category.

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.

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

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.

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

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!

✈️ 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 ✨

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. 💜

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

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

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!

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!

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

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.

🎉 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

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! 🎬

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

On the 18th we celebrated LGBTQIA+ People in STEM! We stand with LGBTQIA+ STEM lovers. 🌈 Learn more here: prideinstem.org Today, on Trans Day of Remembrance, we honour trans and gender-diverse people lost to anti-trans violence. We see and welcome you. 💫 #LGBTSTEMDay #TransDayofRemembrance

Two weeks to go! Join us online for the next SEND in STEM Network session on Dec 3rd, 4–5pm, with leaders from Lime Academy Ravensbourne. We’ll explore meaningful STEM engagement for young people with PMLD To attend contact Hannah at [email protected] #SENDinSTEM #LightyearFoundation

#STEMFutures at #LimeAcademyRavensbourne is boosting confidence and curiosity for PMLD learners Through sensory STEM play students are exploring freely, taking risks, and making discoveries of their own 🐾🫧🔦🪶 Inclusive STEM makes a real difference #CuriosityInAction #LightyearFoundation #Avantor

Monday was World Science Day, highlighting “Trust, transformation and tomorrow: The science we need for 2050.”🌍 Disabled and neurodivergent young people are the future of STEM, and we must create spaces where they thrive. Inclusive science is essential for an innovative 2050. #WorldScienceDay

At Lightyear Foundation, our mission is to break down barriers so that every disabled young person can see themselves in STEM 💡🧪 A huge thank you to our partners, Garfield Weston Foundation, for championing inclusion in STEM. Together, we’re lighting the way for a more diverse and innovative future

Our CEO Jeff Banks spoke at the #RoyalSociety ’s Practical Science Conference 💡 He shared how inclusive practical science isn’t an add-on but excellent teaching rooted in Universal Design for Learning 🔬 Together, we can make hands-on STEM accessible for every young person 💜 #STEMforAll #STEM

One month to go until the Big Give Christmas Challenge!🎄 Thanks to our amazing pledgers, we unlocked matched funding from the AKO Foundation 💜 From Dec 2nd to 9th, every donation will be doubled to help make STEM more inclusive 💡 Get ready to give BIG: www.lightyearfoundation.org/make-a-donat...

Excited to have connected with the RCVS, whose leadership on disability inclusion in veterinary science is truly inspiring. We’re exploring opportunities to collaborate on shared inclusion goals Check it out: www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-vie... #STEMInclusion #VeterinaryScience #DisabilityInSTEM #RCVS