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Date posted: 10th November 2020
Blind and partially sighted people who are facing redundancy or have been made redundant can get support through a new professional coaching service launched by Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) and the Centre for Resolution.
Martin Sigsworth, Senior Employment Manager at TPT, said: “Citizens Advice research has revealed that disabled people are at least twice as likely to face redundancy*. And the hard truth is that right now securing a job is likely to be even harder for blind and partially sighted people due to increased competition for fewer roles.”
The new professional coaching service, delivered by the Centre for Resolution, an established mediation and coaching company, will help people who have been made redundant work through what steps they need to take to secure their next role.
Ryan Compton, Director of the Centre for Resolution, said: “As a visually impaired person myself, I know the challenges blind and partially sighted people face both securing employment and progressing in their careers. So, we are delighted to partner with TPT to provide this service specifically to visually impaired people.
“TPT is funding the service so it is free for blind and partially sighted people who need it. Our coaches will help them identify career goals, develop a strategy with action steps to reach those goals, and provide accountability to achieve them. The career coach will use proven listening and querying techniques to support them as they find their own answers to problems they are facing.”
Martin added: “We know that assistive technology allows blind and partially sighted people to perform roles in the workplace as well as their fully sighted colleagues. But many employers as still oblivious to this and ‘won’t take the chance’ with blind and partially sighted candidates. The new coaching service aims to try to level the playing field, to give people confidence and help them to find direction.”
More information is available on the TPT website:
pocklington-trust.org.uk/what-we-do/employment/professional-coaching/
ENDS
For further information or images please contact:
Penny Wilkinson, Thomas Pocklington Trust, penny.wilkinson@pocklington-trust.org.uk, or on 07974 578 637.
Editors’ Notes
Thomas Pocklington Trust is a national charity dedicated to enabling and empowering blind and partially sighted people of all ages to live the life they want to lead. We are committed to increasing awareness and understanding of their needs and aspirations, to working with partners and to developing and implementing services which meet these needs to increase independence and improve lives.
The Centre for Resolution provides a range of services to individuals, families and organisations including civil, workplace, disability and family mediation, mediation skills and disability awareness training.
The aim of Centre for Resolution is to increase effective communication between colleagues and employers, family members and ex partners, service providers and service users. It is a Disabled Confident employer and proud member of the College of Mediators.