Shape your future: paid internships for blind and partially sighted people now open

Date posted: 24th June 2026

A new nationwide cohort of paid internships for blind and partially sighted people launches on 24 June, offering candidates across the UK the chance to build skills, confidence and careers through the Get Set Progress programme.  

Delivered by Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) in collaboration withRNIB, the programme has supported more than 150 blind and partially sighted interns since 2015. In total, three in four interns move into employment, education or training within six months. 

View new intern roles (further roles being released on rolling basis throughout the summer)

In contrast, RNIB research reflects that almost three in four working-age blind and partially sighted people are out of work (RNIB, 2022). 

About Get Set Progress intern roles

This year’s programme will see around 41 paid internship opportunities released on a rolling basis throughout the summer, across a wide range of sectors and professions. The roles are designed for people aged 18 and over who are entering the workforce for the first time, or returning to work following sight loss. 

Blind and partially sighted people continue to face significant barriers to employment despite having the skills and talent employers need, making programmes such as Get Set Progress more important than ever.  

Structured support

Alongside paid roles with inclusive employers, participants receive structured support, including training, mentoring and access to assistive technology, helping them succeed in the workplace and progress into long-term employment. 

For employers, the programme offers access to a highly motivated and often overlooked talent pool, as well as practical support to create accessible, inclusive workplaces. 

Joshua Feehan, Head of Internships at Thomas Pocklington Trust, said: 

“Get Set Progress is much more than an internship programme – it’s a launchpad for talented blind and partially sighted people to build lasting, meaningful careers. 

“Our team understands first-hand the barriers people can face when entering or returning to work, which is why we’ve designed a programme that doesn’t just open doors, but actively supports people to walk through them with confidence. 

“The success of our interns shows what happens when employers focus on talent rather than disability. These opportunities change lives while helping employers access an exceptional pool of skills they might otherwise miss.” 

The programme connects candidates with employers committed to inclusive workplaces and recognising the skills and potential of blind and partially sighted people. 100 per cent of host employers recommend the programme, and it is also recommended by former interns. 

One example is Ben Wright, from Chorley near Preston in Lancashire. 

Interns share their own stories

Despite graduating in software engineering, Ben struggled to find work because of the barriers many blind and partially sighted people face in the job market. Born with Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis, which causes severe visual impairment, Ben joined the Get Set Progress Internship Programme. His placement was a resounding success, and he went on to secure a permanent technology role in the Civil Service as a result. 

Ben explains how support from the Get Set Progress programme and his internship with Bristol Braille Technology gave him the practical experience, confidence and skills he needed to break into the competitive tech sector and build his career. He said: 

“The Get Set Progress Internship Programme isn’t just about giving visually impaired individuals a foot in the door; it also strives to equip interns with the tools to conquer any potentially challenging workplace scenario they may encounter. From self-advocacy, time management, teamwork and public speaking skills, to finally giving me the courage to travel 200 miles via train independently, the internship programme has transformed my transferable skillset!” 

“The experience has been nothing short of incredible, giving me valuable hands-on experience of how the technical concepts I learnt about in academia are applied in the real world. All of this has ultimately led to me landing a permanent tech role within the Civil Service.” 

Laura Siekapen, another former Get Set Progress intern and from Bristol, secured a permanent  Software Testing role at Dolphin Computer Access following her Get Set Progress internship there. Before this, she had made 171 unsuccessful job applications, which she explained became extremely demotivating and took a huge toll on her mental health. Laura said the programme and the support it offered helped her to develop and begin her career. 

“The Get Set Progress internship has genuinely been life-changing for me in a myriad of ways. For instance, I have cultivated a number of soft skills, such as public speaking, something in which I previously lacked confidence.

“I have also improved my networking ability and refined my technological skills, and feel much more confident operating complex programs with screen readers.” 

London-based Yessica Lerma shared how her Get Set Progress internship at Liberty Specialty Markets gave her valuable experience in reinsurance claims, strengthened her skills, and put her on a clear pathway towards a long-term career in the insurance industry. She spoke about the importance of being able to connect with other blind and partially sighted people as part of the programme. She said:

“Sometimes the most powerful support comes from speaking to people who understand what it feels like to navigate the workplace with sight loss.

“Thomas Pocklington Trust helped me feel that I was not alone, and that the barriers I was facing were real – but also possible to overcome with the right support.”

Another former intern who wanted to share their story is Leeds-based Carys, who is originally from the West Midlands. In 2021, Carys, who is registered blind, began studying Classical Vocal Performance at the University of Chichester. She graduated in 2025 with a First-Class Honours degree and soon after applied for the Get Set Progress Internship Programme, securing an internship at Channel 4. The experience enabled her to develop professional skills, grow in confidence and begin building a career in the media industry. She said: 

“Thomas Pocklington Trust has been a huge support throughout the internship and have helped me grow both my career and employability skills. They have offered support with CV writing, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, job searching and many other areas. They are always willing to answer questions, and the bespoke, in-depth training sessions they have offered over the nine-month period have been utterly invaluable. 

“Through the scheme, I have been able to grow, explore my own abilities and develop my skill set, all while being part of a hugely supportive group of fellow interns. Having that peer network has made such a difference, because it has meant going through the experience alongside other people who understand the challenges, nerves and excitement that come with starting out in the workplace.” 

Are you ready to build your career with the Get Set Progress Intern Programme? Opportunities will be advertised from 23 June, with new roles added throughout the summer, so do keep checking our pages.

View our latest jobs and intern roles