Former Get Set Progress Interns Share Their Stories on BBC News

Date posted: 10th November 2026

Last Tuesday 3 November, the TPT Hub hosted a BBC News crew to interview former Get Set Progress interns about their experiences of looking for work.

Former interns Willow Horner and Bradley Tomsett, who completed the Get Set Progress internship programme in July this year, returned to the TPT Hub to share their experiences of seeking employment as blind and partially sighted people, and the difference that paid workplace experience and specialist support can make.

Challenges in the recruitment process

Speaking with the BBC’s Thomas Magill, the pair discussed the challenges they faced when applying for jobs, including deciding whether to disclose their visual impairment and the large number of applications they submitted, often without speaking to a person or receiving a response.

Willow also spoke of employers’ preconceptions in the recruitment process:

“The main thing you come up against is that someone just doesn’t know enough about visually impaired people in the workplace and what that actually looks like.

“They [employers] can’t get over their preconceived notions of what visually impaired people in the workplace might look like and the effort they might have to put in.”

For Bradley, the use of his cane was a concern when meeting employers:

“Using my cane to get out and about to give me stability when going to interviews, it can put an employer off or they could make an unconscious judgement.”

Out of Sight, Out of Work

Their stories were an all-too-familiar reminder of the reality for many blind and partially sighted (BPS) people looking for work. In July, Lord Holmes’Out of Sight, Out of Work reporton the BPS employment gap found that the employment rate for BPS people is 27%, compared with 83% for the non-disabled population.

TPT’s Head of Internships, Joshua Feehan, emphasised the importance of the Get Set Progress programme in addressing these inequalities.

“To date, we have supported over 150 interns from around the country… Demand is high: lots of blind and partially sighted people want to get into work.”

When asked about the biggest barriers that BPS people faced, Josh noted the frequent lack of awareness among employers about what BPS people are capable of. TPT also provides employers with support, highlighting how barriers can be easily broken down.

“Most jobs can be performed by a person with a vision impairment… that’s why in our internship programme, we do a lot of work with the employers.

“We provide them with training… we look at their recruitment processes… advice and guidance around reasonable adjustments, promoting Access to Work and supporting their line manager during the nine months.”

Commenting on Lord Holmes’ report, Josh said he was hopeful it would bring about change:

“We need targeted support for blind and partially sighted people, because generalist support just isn’t working.

“…There’s 60,000 people waiting for Access to Work, it takes 100 days often for that support to kick in in employment.

“That’s critical… they need to make sure that support is given straight away so people can hit the ground running when they start their job…”

Get Set Progress internship programme

TPT’s successful Get Set Progress internship programme, delivered in partnership with RNIB, works with employers across the UK to create opportunities in the public, private and voluntary sectors for blind and partially sighted people looking to kickstart their careers or return to work.

The programme provides workplace experience, training and specialist support, helping participants build skills, confidence and experience while supporting employers to create more inclusive recruitment practices and workplaces. Three out of four Get Set Progress interns move into employment, education or training within six months of completing the programme.

Get Set Progress shows what can happen when talented blind and partially sighted people are given the opportunity to demonstrate their skills. Through the programme, employers gain practical experience of inclusive recruitment while accessing a skilled and motivated talent pool they might otherwise miss.

For more information on the Get Set Progress internship programme, visit the GSP internship page.

Would your organisation like to host a blind or partially sighted intern?

To discuss opportunities and find out more about becoming a Get Set Progress partner organisation, employers should contact the GSP team at internships@pocklington.org.uk