Internship Scheme Creates 30+ Jobs for Blind and Partially Sighted People  

Date posted: 2nd July 2025

As the UK Government reviews disability benefits, Thomas Pocklington Trust’s (TPT) long established Get Set Progress internship programme is responding with over 30 new paid roles for blind and partially sighted jobseekers. The internships are paid at the Real Living Wage or higher and includes professional development and training as a pathway into long term employment.  

Now in its ninth year, the Get Set Progress programme, delivered in partnership with RNIB, addresses the low employment rate of blind and partially sighted people with only one in four people with sight loss currently in work. 

Internships offer nine months of tailored support, including mentoring, meaningful work experience and guidance from TPT’s internships and employment teams and training partners. This year’s opportunities include roles with Liberty Insurance Group, Beacon Vision (which is hosting an intern for the third year running) and the first internship in Northern Ireland with Angel Eyes NI. 

“This isn’t a short-term fix,” said Josh Feehan, Head of Internships at TPT. “It’s a long-term, structured programme designed to open doors, not just to employment, but to careers. We’re working with employers who are serious about inclusion, and we’re investing directly in the people taking part.”

The programme has now placed more than 100 blind and partially sighted people into work, with 85% moving into permanent roles after their internship. TPT also contributes to salary and training costs, removing financial barriers for employers and ensuring that access and support are built in from day one. 

“I had the qualifications but not the confidence or the chance,” said Jane, who just finished the 2024-2025 internship and secured a full time communications role. “The internship gave me space to learn, a supportive environment, and a reminder that I still had value in the workplace.” Jane is blind since birth.

Why this Matters Now 

Thomas Pocklington Trust has long been committed to supporting blind and partially sighted people into work and narrowing the UK’s disability employment gap. But this year could mark a turning point in the programme’s history, launching amid rising fear and uncertainty over proposed changes to disability benefits. 

“We’re expecting more applications than ever,” added Josh. “We want to help as many blind and partially sighted people as possible into meaningful, paid work. That’s why we’re investing in training, upskilling, and support and we’re fortunate to be working with incredible, inclusive employers who are offering key roles to blind and partially sighted interns within their organisations.”

Many fear the recent speculation over benefits such as Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and Universal Credit will further widen the already stark employment gap and increase pressure on disabled people to find work in systems that remain largely inaccessible. 

“This programme isn’t about ticking boxes,” Josh continues. “It’s about building infrastructure that actually works and one that recognises talent, pays fairly and supports blind and partially sighted people to thrive.”

With an estimated annual cost of sight loss and blindness amounting to £25.2 billion nationally, the Get Set Progress programme creates a positive economic impact by supporting people with sight loss into employment. Time to focus report, Fight for Sight 

30+ Vacancies are Live

Internship vacancies are now live.

Roles begin in October 2025 and are open to blind and partially sighted people across the UK. The posts have a Genuine Occupational Requirement that the successful applicant be a person who is blind or partially sighted, in line with The Equality Act 2010. 

Remote, hybrid, and office-based options are available in organisations such as Dolphin Computer Access, Channel 4, Beacon Vision, Liberty Insurance Group and more.  

Bilaal Ali, a former GSP intern said that only a few years ago he “would have never expected” to be supported in a paid role. Now he has ambitions to become an accounting consultant. 

“I was worried when I first started because I’ve never been in employment. Now I’m in safe hands.”

– Bilaal

He said that if the government wants to get more young visually impaired people into work, “it’s about having the right support.”

“RNIB’s partnership with TPT on the Get Set Progress programme has created some fantastic opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to find employment. We are delighted to hear the experiences of those who have taken part in the programme and have gone on into full time employment as a result. These participants are such powerful role models and are playing a really important role into educating employers around how to support someone with sight loss in work. “ 

– Martin O’Kane, Head of Employment at RNIB