Thomas Pocklington Trust

21/02/2026

For years, blind and partially sighted people have had to adapt to workplaces designed with sight in mind.

What if AI helps turn that on its head?

During a recent Skill Share session for our Get Set Progress interns, AI specialist Steven Gates explored how generative AI and large language models are acting as genuine equalisers. Tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and Copilot are enabling blind and partially sighted professionals to access information faster, work more independently, and focus on insight and decision making rather than purely visual tasks.

At Thomas Pocklington Trust, we are not watching this shift from the sidelines. Through our nine month paid Get Set Progress internship, we are building AI awareness, confidence and ethical understanding directly into our professional development offer.

This session was interactive, practical and honest about the risks too, covering bias, data protection and the importance of human oversight. Exactly the kind of conversation the workplace needs.

A huge thanks to Jen Sweeney for making this partnership happen.

If you are an employer wondering what blind and partially sighted talent can bring to your organisation, or someone considering applying to Get Set Progress, take a few minutes to read the full article. You might see the future of work a little differently 👇

https://tinyurl.com/56rbt256

A series of videos demonstrating the accessible technology blind and partially sighted people use to perform tasks in the workplace as well as their fully sighted colleagues.

20/02/2026

There’s still time to nominate for the Rodney Powell Awards 2026, but not much.



In just a few days, nominations will close, and we don’t want any brilliant volunteer or team to miss out on the recognition they deserve.



These awards shine a light on the incredible contribution of Thomas Pocklington Trust volunteers, including Sight Loss Council members, Student Voices and Young Voices. They celebrate the people whose dedication creates real change in the sight loss community.



We know so many volunteers quietly go above and beyond without expecting recognition. That’s why your nomination matters. If someone has made you think, “They’ve really made a difference,” this is your moment to put their name forward.



Nominations close on 28 February 2026, and winners will be announced at the Sight Loss Council Conference in June 2026.



Submit your nomination here: https://tinyurl.com/29wxke4e



If you have any questions, get in touch at volunteering@pocklington.org.uk



Let’s make sure the people powering our campaigns and communities get the spotlight they deserve.







Image Description: ‘2026 Rodney Powell Awards. Nominations for this year’s awards are now open! Closing date: 28th February 2026’ The TPT logo is positioned at the top of the post. The text is decoratively positioned on a sparkly navy background.

20/02/2026

Employers, this is your chance to lead on inclusion.

Expressions of interest are now open for the 2026/27 Get Set Progress Internship cohort. This nine-month paid internship connects employers with talented visually impaired candidates who are ready to build their careers.

Many organisations assume hosting a visually impaired intern will require major structural change. In reality, as Leonie, CEO of the General Optical Council, has shared, the adjustments were far less significant than expected and the experience became a valuable learning opportunity for the whole team.

We know time and capacity matter. That is why we handle the heavy lifting. From recruitment and funding support to accessibility training and ongoing guidance, we ensure the experience is structured, supported and impactful.

All you need to do is offer the role. We will work alongside you every step of the way.

The first step is easy. Submit your expression of interest and find out how your organisation can get involved:
https://tinyurl.com/693svrb9



Image description: Quote from Leonie Milliner. Text reads: “By hosting a GSP Intern, the benefits that we’ve accrued as an organisation have been huge.
The scale of the adjustments that we’ve had to make as an employer weren’t as significant as we anticipated, that’s been a really interesting learning point for us as an organisation”. Below this reads: “Leonie Milliner, Chief Executive and Registrar, General Optical Council”. At the top, the words “Get Set Progress Internship” are in a box.

19/02/2026

“I’m not blind. I just have the wrong kind of vision.”

That is how Liam O’Carroll, Interim Engagement Manager for London Sight Loss Councils, describes his experience of living with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), a progressive inherited eye condition that affects the retina and gradually changes how a person sees the world.

This February, for Retinitis Pigmentosa Awareness Month, we are highlighting RP and the realities of living with inherited retinal conditions. Thousands of people across the UK are affected, often without obvious outward signs of sight loss.

RP typically begins with difficulty seeing in low light and a gradual loss of peripheral vision. Over time, this can lead to tunnel vision and, for some, significant sight loss. Many people with RP may appear to see well, yet navigate daily life with shrinking visual fields and constant adjustments to changing light and environments.

In his essay, Liam reflects on how RP has shaped his sense of identity and creativity. Rather than defining himself by what he cannot see, he challenges us to think differently about vision itself. His words offer a powerful reminder that awareness is not just about symptoms and statistics, but about how people understand themselves and move through the world.

👉 Read Liam’s story: https://bit.ly/3Zh6I90

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of RP or living with inherited sight loss, seeking advice and support can make a real difference. Retina UK offers specialist information and guidance for those affected.

For support with any inherited sight loss, contact Retina UK via their helpline on 0300 111 4000 or email helpline@retinauk.org.uk.



Image description: Text reads: “Retinitis Pigmentosa
Awareness Month. For support, contact Retina UK:
call: 0300 111 4000, email: helpline@retinauk.org”. The TPT logo is on the top left and Retina UK post is on the bottom right. Towards the top right is an image of a women with a neutral expression facing forward while two hands from behind cover her eyes against a dark background.

19/02/2026

“When assistive technology removes the small barriers, I can finally focus on my big goals.”

That’s how Aleks describes the turning point in his studies.

Before discovering assistive technology, Aleks, a severely sight-impaired student, spent his days squinting and straining just to access basic study materials. The effort took a toll on his motivation and limited what he felt able to achieve.

Everything changed when assistive technology entered the picture. With everyday obstacles reduced, Aleks stepped out of his comfort zone, regained confidence and began aiming higher in his academic journey.

Aleks has shared his experience in his own words, offering a powerful insight into how the right support can transform a student’s future. You can read his full story here: https://tinyurl.com/49t7xftj

Stories like Aleks’ show why assistive technology is essential to students’ self-development. The Access and Assistance for All (AAA) campaign is calling on colleges to make assistive technology a standard part of learning for students.

Aleks is now adding his voice to that call, encouraging colleges to sign up to the AAA campaign and help build a more inclusive education system.

Colleges can get in touch via EducationPolicy@pocklington.org.uk to sign up.



Image description: Medium close-up shot of Aleks. He stands in front of a white background and smiling. He has short brown hair and brown facial hair. He is wearing a dark grey and white jumper, a black and white stripped scarf, and a light grey jacket.

18/02/2026

What if the screen reader you need is completely free?

Our next Tech Friday takes a closer look at NVDA, a free screen reader for computers that has opened up digital access for thousands of blind and partially sighted people.

Join us on Friday 27 February at 11am in the Thomas Pocklington Hub, where Graham Page will introduce NVDA and explore a key question: can free software really meet all your screen reader needs at home and in the workplace?

We’ll cover what NVDA can do, how it compares with other options, and who it might be right for. Whether you are completely new to screen readers or already using one, this friendly and relaxed session is your chance to see it in action and ask honest, practical questions.

After the presentation, we’ll be on hand to answer any assistive technology queries you may have. Light refreshments will be available, and a meet and greet from Russell Square Underground station can be arranged for anyone who would like sighted support.

If you are curious about NVDA or wondering whether it could work for you, register now by clicking the link:
https://pocklington.tfaforms.net/5069021?event=701Pz00000tmGPS&tfa_168=6



Image description: Text reads: “Tech Friday is Back! NVDA Unpacked – a deep dive into the free screen reader. 27 February, 11am, Register now!” With a right pointing arrow. On the top right is an Image showing three partially sighted college students in a library. There are two men reading braille and a woman using a laptop with headphones around her neck. The TPT logo is on the bottom right.

17/02/2026

From 3–5pm tomorrow 18 February, Sarah Cobb will be bringing Cobbling Words Together to life.

Sarah, one of our team at TPT and our Employment Development Intern, is hosting this free creative writing session for blind and partially sighted people who want to build their writing skills with employability at the heart of it. Expect an interactive afternoon exploring genres such as memoir and poetry, and practical ways to shape your employment experiences into powerful pieces of writing.

She’s also a first-class Creative Writing graduate, although she’s far too modest to lead with that herself. 😉

If you’re ready to stretch your creativity and strengthen your skills, sign up now and join Sarah tomorrow: https://tinyurl.com/5c6uea5m



Image description: Sarah is sitting in a white chair smiling at the camera. She is wearing a black T-shirt and has two lanyards round her neck, one yellow and one leopard print. Behind her is some blurred greenery.

17/02/2026

As an education professional, if you meet a learner with vision impairment, will you feel ready to support them?

Starting the Conversation is our free, online training created to help education professionals understand vision impairment and confidently support learners who experience it.

The course is flexible, self-paced and packed with practical guidance. More than 100 professionals have already signed up, and one described it as “an essential resource for all staff working in any capacity with any individual who is visually impaired.”

If you want to be better prepared and make learning more inclusive, this training is a great place to start.

Sign up now: https://tinyurl.com/mrx33jhs

And please share to help raise awareness across education.



Image description: Text reads: “Vision Impairment:
Starting the Conversation. A free, online course to help non-specialist staff support blind and partially sighted young people Sign up now”. With a right pointing arrow. The TPT logo is on the top left. On the bottom left is woman sitting beside a young girl at a table, guiding her hands as they work with a pink sheet of paper in a classroom setting.

16/02/2026

A little Monday resource from our Education Tech team to start the week strong…

Getting from A to B shouldn’t feel like a guessing game. And while GPS does a decent job, it doesn’t always cover the small but important details.

That’s where your phone’s camera comes in.

In our latest guide, we explore how combining camera features with AI tools and even live human support can give you that extra layer of confidence when navigating new places. You can use them to check a street sign, confirm a doorway or double-check you’re exactly where you think you are, giving you that extra bit of reassurance when you’re out and about.

Take your navigation skills up a level:
https://www.pocklington.org.uk/education/tech/taking-navigation-to-the-next-level/



Image description: Graphic features the TPT logo in the top left corner. To the right, an illustration shows a red haired person wearing a green jacket and trousers, holding a smartphone and carrying a backpack, set against a stylised map background. Bold green and white text reads: Blind or partially sighted? Find out how you can get around with tech. Beneath this, smaller text says: Check out our navigation page for our top app picks.

15/02/2026

As Student Volunteering Week wraps up, we’ve been reflecting on what makes our student volunteers at TPT so special.

It’s not just the hours they give. It’s the perspective they bring. The conversations they spark. The way they hold us to high standards and remind us why inclusion must be shaped by blind and partially sighted people themselves.

They question, inspire, and lead, helping build a future where blind and partially sighted students have the opportunities they deserve.

Now we’re looking ahead.

If you’re a blind or partially sighted student who cares about making life more inclusive, there’s a place for you here.

To join our student volunteers, emailvolunteering@pocklington.org.uk and be part of the change.

Student Volunteering Week may be ending, but the work continues and we’d love you to be part of it.



Image description: Text reads: As Student Volunteering Week comes to an end…Thank you to our amazing student volunteers for your commitment and for championing a more inclusive world for blind and partially sighted people. From all at TPT.” The image shows the TPT logo at the top and raised illustrated hands along the bottom.

14/02/2026

It’s Valentine’s Day, so it’s only right we talk about our true loves.

No, not candlelit dinners. Not grand gestures.

We’re talking about the good stuff.

We love clear, clutter-free pavements that let people move around safely.�We love bus drivers who wait that extra moment.�We love assistive tech in schools and universities.�We love employers who advertise roles inclusively and mean it.�We love interview panels who focus on ability, not assumptions.�We love government decisions that recognise blind and partially sighted people as equal citizens with equal potential.

And because it’s the one day of the year when bold declarations are encouraged, here’s ours:

We’re completely devoted to improving education and employment chances for blind and partially sighted people. And we won’t stop asking for better access, better awareness and better opportunities.

So to employers, road users, policymakers and partners, consider this our Valentine’s wish list.

Let’s make inclusion something we all fall a little bit in love with.

Wishing everyone a very Happy Valentine’s Day!

’sDay

Image Description: Text reads: “Happy Valentine’s Day! From Thomas Pocklington Trust”. The TPT logo is below this. The background is pink with illustrated red hearts in each corner.

13/02/2026

Big news! We’re pleased to be working alongside Guide Dogs UK to strengthen the delivery of our free vision impairment awareness training for bus and coach drivers.

The training was developed by Thomas Pocklington Trust and our volunteer-led Sight Loss Councils, in partnership with Confederation of Passenger Transport, Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency, and the Department for Transport, and supported by Brighton & Hove Buses and Bus Users Uk. It is already helping drivers better support blind and partially sighted passengers.

With Guide Dogs now supporting the delivery of the training to more operators nationwide, we can reach even more bus and coach companies and make everyday travel more accessible.

Read our joint statement with Guide Dogs below:

https://tinyurl.com/3fdrhnx2



Image description: A man, smiling and holding a mobile phone, is standing at a bus stop with his guide dog wearing a harness, waiting as a bus pulls up to the curb. The scene is outdoors on a residential street with greenery and houses in the background.