Get Set Progress: A Celebration of Achievement

Date posted: 17th July 2026

This article is a first-hand account of the Get Set Progress 2025-26 internship programme’s celebration day. The day was a chance for the interns to reflect on their journey and recognise each other’s success. It is told from the perspective of Aleksandr Tamasauskas who took part in the programme as an Internal Communications Intern at Thomas Pocklington Trust. He writes:

On 3 July, another cohort of Get Set Progress interns celebrated their achievements and presented their research projects to a crowd of more than 80 people. But how exactly did it all happen?

Nine months earlier, Get Set Progress (GSP), an internship programme run by Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) in partnership with RNIB, welcomed 37 blind and partially sighted interns from across the UK. Despite our different backgrounds, experiences and career goals, we all shared the same ambition: to build our futures on our own terms and not be defined by sight loss.

Like many others, I arrived feeling nervous. It was my first long-term employment experience, and I was battling a serious case of imposter syndrome. Yet from the very first in-person GSP event, it was clear that everyone was eager to learn, grow and challenge themselves.

Learning and Growing Together

Mondays to Thursdays were dedicated to our individual roles within our host organisations, spanning everything from tech and healthcare to television. For me, that meant supporting the communications team at TPT, helping to ensure every department stayed informed about the work happening across the organisation.

Fridays, however, were something special. We took part in development sessions covering everything from professional boundaries to communication and time management. As a techie, one of my highlights was a session with Google, where we explored their approach to accessibility.

I also fondly remember the in-person session on personality types. It was the moment the cohort truly came to life. We shared plenty of laughs, bonded over animal-themed jokes, and got to know each other on a much deeper level.

Alongside our placements, we worked in project groups to research issues affecting blind and partially sighted people. My group focused on the emotional impact of inaccessible healthcare. A topic that proved both eye-opening and deeply important.

Working together every Friday helped us build not only a strong project but also lasting friendships. With each meeting, we grew more confident, both as a team and as individuals.

The Final Preparations

And then the big day arrived… Almost arrived!

The day before the event, we gathered for the rehearsal session at the TPT Hub, the place where this journey had begun. I immediately found myself reflecting on how I had felt on day one compared with how I felt now. From hesitant and unsure to proactive, supportive and unafraid to take risk. It was like looking at two completely different people.

I sat calmly in the main area waiting for my teammates, who were apparently enjoying the “fun” of train delays. As I listened to the conversations around me, I realised something remarkable. The quiet, hesitant voices I remembered from nine months ago had transformed into confident and enthusiastic ones.

During the session, we practised our speeches individually. Even when asked to improvise, every intern rose to the challenge. It was clear that we had all grown enormously.

After a long day of rehearsals and final touch-ups, we headed to the Tavistock Hotel for an overnight stay and a rather fancy dinner. The GSP team certainly knows how to spoil us.

The evening gave us a valuable opportunity to share experiences and simply enjoy each other’s company.

Showtime

The next morning, the Tavistock Hotel was shaken awake.

What caused it? 31 interns marching to the event, buzzing with excitement and taking their final deep breaths before the presentations.

We arrived at the Coram Conference Centre, which quickly filled with chatter, laughter and just a touch of nerves. After all, we were only human.

Guests soon began to arrive, including line managers from host organisations, TPT staff and invited speakers.

The room suddenly fell quiet. The sound of a microphone being adjusted echoed through the room like a clock striking the hour.

Charles Colquhoun, CEO of Thomas Pocklington Trust, Joshua Feehan, Head of Internships, and Matt Stringer, former CEO of RNIB, took to the stage.

Then, the microphone was passed around the room, and everyone introduced themselves. The introductions highlighted just how diverse the programme had been and showcased the wide range of organisations and industries represented among our guests.

Interns Take the Stage

One by one, each group delivered a 15-minute presentation.

We started strongly with a presentation on micromobility. As my peers discussed the impact of e-scooters and similar transport developments on visually impaired pedestrians, I found myself admiring just how confident and passionate my fellow interns had become.

Next came a presentation on Passenger Assist, followed by two groups exploring the external and internal customer journeys of RNIB’s Benefits Advice Service.

Time and time again, I saw interns who had once been quiet and reserved stepping forward with the confidence and presence of seasoned presenters.

Inspirational Stories

The lunch break came and went, giving us time to digest sandwiches and the excellent research we’d heard throughout the morning.

We then heard from Emily Lamb, a PR professional and, perhaps most importantly, a former GSP intern. Her speech was both inspiring and honest, highlighting the resilience required to navigate a professional career while living with sight loss. By sharing both the positive and challenging aspects of employment, she painted a realistic picture of working life.

Emily’s speech also served as the perfect introduction to the next presentation, which focused on employment barriers faced by blind and partially sighted people. It was a topic that resonated strongly with all of us and reminded everyone why programmes such as GSP are so important.

Our Moment

When our time came, we walked towards the stage past all the previous presenters, who cheered us on as we passed.

Our project focused on understanding the emotional impact of inaccessible healthcare.

Behind that simple title lay nine months of research. We gathered more than 52 individual stories highlighting problems ranging from inaccessible NHS appointments and poor communication to frustrating misunderstandings and deeply humiliating experiences. Yet among those stories we also found examples of excellent practice and reasons for optimism.

At the end of our presentation, my teammate Jay had a plan. He said to the public: “When we were preparing this presentation, we thought it would be nice if we shared these statistics and everyone was so impressed that they stood up and applauded.”

Did it work?

Yes. I could sense the collective movement as people rose to their feet in a standing ovation.

Soon afterwards, we received our Get Set Progress certificates and, like well-behaved students, returned to our seats while avoiding accidentally hitting anyone with our long canes. Professionalism at its finest.

Best of all, our research is now being used by a health-focused Parliamentary group to help drive change.

A Fitting Finale

The final intern presentation explored how interns had promoted the programme to prospective employers.

After all, who better to champion Get Set Progress than the interns themselves?

As the final flourish of the day, Lord Holmes of Richmond delivered a speech on inclusion. He brought a welcome sense of humour to the room, frequently referring to our group and making us feel special.

After a day of serious discussions, his good-natured banter was exactly what we needed.

“I had a great few days preparing our group intern presentation and then having the opportunity and privilege to attend the presentations of my fellow interns on the Friday! It was a great way to celebrate everyone’s achievements throughout the programme. Really wonderful to see how everyone increased their confidence and skills!” – Claire, TPT

Looking Ahead

Eventually, the bittersweet moment arrived.

31 interns emerged from their cocoons, spread their wings and prepared to fly towards new opportunities.

As people began saying their goodbyes, I felt a wave of sadness. It was difficult to believe that such an incredible journey had come to an end.

The event felt like a graduation in every sense of the word. We had grown not only as professionals but also as people.

“What a wonderful day celebrating the end of this fantastic GSP programme! It was brilliant to see and hear all the presentations, knowing full well they will add tremendous value to the work of the project sponsors. I’m so proud to be part of this year’s group of interns who have inspired me from the very beginning!” – Laura, TPT

“I found the whole event very inspiring and really enjoyed celebrating our achievements with the other interns. I have gained so much from my internship with Southampton Sight. The amazing people I have met and valuable skills I’ve learned have given me more confidence in myself and my ability to take on new challenges. I have made new friends and I am excited about the rewarding new career ahead of me.” – Kimberley, Southampton Sight

As we left the venue, we carried ourselves differently. We walked more confidently with our long canes, spoke with greater conviction and looked forward to the adventures ahead.

Nine months earlier, we arrived as strangers.

Now, we left as a community.

Apply for the next internship programme

This summer, the GSP Programme are recruiting for the next round of interns who will start in October. If you are interested in taking the first steps in employment or looking to return to work after sight loss, I highly recommend applying for one of the exciting roles on offer on our dedicated web page.

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