TPT Members Speak at the All Party Parliamentary Group on Eye Health

Date posted: 23rd February 2023

Yesterday’s All Party Parliamentary Group on Eye Health heard from Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) staff and a recent Get Set Progress intern from My Vision Oxfordshire on career opportunities for blind and partially sighted people.

Josh Feehan, TPT’s Head of Internships and Jeff Page, Head of Employment, outlined to Members of Parliament and sector colleagues how they are changing models of support for blind and partially sighted people seeking employment.

They were joined by Margaret Hart, who has recently completed an internship with My Vision Oxfordshire and has progressed to working for the charity as a Fundraiser.

Contributions from across the sector, included Roisin Jacklin from RNIB, who spoke to their recent report calling for urgent remedial action on the Access to Work scheme.

Josh Feehan said: “It was great to have the opportunity to raise awareness of our Get Set Progress internship programme, sharing on its success to date and our plans for the future. It offers a fantastic opportunity for  the intern to gain skills and meaningful work experience and helps build the confidence  of the  host organisation when employing a blind or partially sighted person. The next phase for the programme is to provide internships into other sectors including the private and wider voluntary sector.”

 

Margaret Hart said: “It was amazing to speak at the Eye Health and Visual Impairment APPG with Thomas Pocklington Trust, and share my experience as a visually impaired intern with MyVision Oxfordshire.  I’ve really enjoyed my journey. It is an amazing opportunity and I am excited to continue my role there after the internship ends.”

 

Jeff Page said: “It was a fantastic opportunity to speak to the APPG today. We brought the message that blind and partially sighted people are dedicated to finding work through our Works For Me programme. We are looking for their help in removing barriers to making this a reality.”

 

Watch below our Get Set Progress interns talking  about their career journeys and internship experience.