Thomas Pocklington Trust

04/09/2026

Smart glasses designed with blind and partially sighted people in mind. Come and see what they can do next Friday.

There’s just one week to go until our Tech Friday session, and only a few places are left.

Mavis Technology will be at Pocklington Hub on Friday 11 September, giving you the chance to get hands-on with their smart glasses and explore how features such as AI assistance, object and text recognition, navigation and audio information could support blind and partially sighted people.

You’ll also be able to catch up with the latest features on Meta glasses, including Oorion and Be My Eyes, with technology experts available to answer your questions.

Come along, try the technology for yourself, get advice based on your needs and share your views.

Friday 11 September

11am–1pm

Pocklington Hub, 3 Queen Square, London, WC1N 3AR

Need help getting there? We can meet you at 10:30am at Russell Square station on the Piccadilly line. Please let us know when registering.

Only a few slots remain. Register now:�https://tinyurl.com/yuvkyps5

For questions, [email protected].



Image description: Title reads: “Don’t miss Tech Friday.” Smaller text below reads: “‪Come along and try smart glasses designed for blind and partially sighted people, 11 September, 11am- 1pm, TPT London Hub, Sign up today”. The Mavis Tech logo is on the bottom right, while the TPT logo is on the top right. Below the TPT logo is an image of a hand holding a pair of black smart glasses.

03/09/2026

Your LinkedIn profile could be opening doors. Is it telling people what you want them to know?

Join us for our next Let’s Talk Jobs webinar, where Nive from our Employment team will share practical tips to help blind and partially sighted people build a stronger LinkedIn profile and get more from the platform.

📅 Monday 14 September

🕑 2–3pm

💻 Online

If you’re job hunting or building your professional presence, come along, ask questions and make your LinkedIn profile work harder for you.

Register your place:
https://tinyurl.com/y4h654hx

Got any questions? Contact the Employment team [email protected]



Image description: The words “Live Webinar” are highlighted in red at the top left. Below this, the title reads: “Let’s Talk Jobs!” Smaller text below reads: “Join our Employment team to learn the basics of creating a strong Linkedin profile, 14 September, 2-3pm, Register now!” With a right pointing arrow. The TPT logo is on the bottom left. On the bottom right, is an image of two professionals. The female is sitting at a desk, typing on a laptop, while the male is standing, looking at the laptop.

02/09/2026

Have you been involved in an accident caused by untrimmed hedges?

For blind and partially sighted people, overgrown hedges and bushes on our streets can be a real hazard. But did you know that you can report them to your local authority?

Local authorities are legally obliged to act on reports of overgrown foliage, helping to keep streets accessible and safe from injury.

Let’s and make our streets safer, more accessible, and less stressful for blind and partially sighted people to navigate.

Learn how to report it: https://bit.ly/3A1JXwm


Video transcript:
Blind and partially sighted people navigate the streets safely by following the building line and hedge side of the pavement. This helps us to walk in a straight line, find our way using landmarks, and not get disoriented. Overgrown bushes and foliage are a real danger. “Oops!” They cause injuries, pain and confusion, and are often unavoidable due to narrow pavements and other obstacles. Blind and partially sighted people, wheelchair users, buggiesand prams, often risk going into the road. Why it’s important to
Learn more at: https://www.sightlosscouncils.org.uk/CutItBack . Thomas Pocklington Trust and Sight Loss Councils logos.

Video description: A video shows Dave, a blind man using a long cane, walking along a residential pavement beside a neatly trimmed hedge. It then cuts to Iris, a blind woman, who walks into an overhanging bush while using her cane. A yellow and black warning sign appears on screen. Next, Clinton, a blind man, navigates a narrow pavement obstructed by a large bush, using his shoulder for protection as he sweeps his cane to find a way through. The video ends with a white information screen explaining why it’s important to , along with the website www.sightlosscouncils.org.uk/CutItBack and the logos of Thomas Pocklington Trust and Sight Loss Councils

01/09/2026

On Tuesday 25 August, 10 of our Student and Young Voices spent the day at the Financial Times offices in London, taking part in an inspiring workshop focused on oracy, confidence and communicating their strengths.

Led by former international journalist Laurence Lee FRSA and spoken word poet and performer Sonny Green, students were challenged to think differently about how they talk about themselves, their experiences and what they have to offer.

After a day of activities, discussions and confidence-building exercises, every student took to the stage for a live interview with Sonny, putting their new skills into practice.

It was fantastic to see their confidence grow throughout the day, and they left with valuable skills they can take into future interviews and opportunities.

A huge thank you to Financial Times , Jacqui Dobson, Laurence Lee FRSA and Sonny Green for creating such an engaging and empowering experience, and a massive well done to all 10 students for embracing the challenge and supporting one another along the way.

Image descriptions:

Image 1: Young Voices Young Leader Tom and Student Voices Khadija sat at table talking

Image 2: Student Voice Ahmed, Young Voices Young Leader Phoebe and journalist Laurence sat at table talking

Image 3: Student Voice Zehra and Spoken Word Artist Sonny sat opposite each other on stage conducting an interview, laughing holding mics.

01/09/2026

It’s September, which means it’s Catch The Bus Month.

Buses are an essential part of public transport, and everyone should be able to use them confidently and independently.

Throughout the month, we’ll be highlighting TPT’s work to improve bus accessibility for blind and partially sighted passengers. To kick things off, here’s a myth-busting fact about buses from Bus Users UK



Image description: Catch the Bus Month graphic featuring the message “Get on Board”. The graphic presents a myth: “Buses aren’t accessible”. The reality text reads: “Buses give all of us the freedom to travel independently and with dignity.” A photo shows a wheelchair user entering a bus using a ramp. Bus Users UK logo appears in the bottom right corner.

28/08/2026

The summer bank holiday is almost here!

We hope you have a brilliant long weekend, however you choose to spend it. Take some time to relax, enjoy yourself and make the most of the extra day.

A quick reminder that our office and services will be closed on Monday 31 August and reopen at 9am on Tuesday 1 September.

Have a lovely bank holiday weekend!

Image description: Black, bold text reads: “Wishing you a happy Summer Bank Holiday”. Smaller, blue text below reads: “Whatever your plans, enjoy the long weekend.” The TPT logo is on the top left.

28/08/2026

Why are we expanding our education advice service?

Nicole Bassett, TPT’s Education Advice Service Manager, discussed the expansion with RNIB Connect Radio.

We announced the expansion last week, extending our Education Information, Advice and Guidance Service to support children at the start of their primary education.

Listen to Nicole’s interview here:
https://tinyurl.com/bdfpytpe

for any questions about the service, email [email protected].

David Hogg learns more about Thomas Pocklington Trust’s Education Advice Service…

27/08/2026

Heading to university after receiving your exam results? Our Education Advice Service Manager, Nicole Bassett, recently joined a BBC Radio 4 In Touch panel to share advice for blind and partially sighted students.

It’s that time of year when secondary school students receive their exam results and start thinking about what comes next. For some, that means attending university for the first time. For blind and partially sighted young people, there are added dimensions to consider.

Nicole took part in a panel discussion on BBC Radio 4’s In Touch programme, providing practical tips on what to consider when preparing for university and how to make the most of the experience.

If you’re heading to university, or supporting a blind or partially sighted young person who is, you can listen to Nicole’s interview here:

https://tinyurl.com/76kbv6da

In Touch provides advice for visually impaired youngsters starting university this year.

26/08/2026

Two internships close this Friday.

If you’re blind or partially sighted and looking to get your foot on the career ladder, or you’re ready to get back into work after sight loss, this is your final call.

There are just two days left to apply for:

Marketing Executive Intern, Liberty Specialty Markets

London | Hybrid

Get valuable marketing experience in a corporate environment, with most of the role based in the office.
Apply: https://www.pocklington.org.uk/about-us/workattpt/

Customer Support Intern, Mavis Technologies

Northampton/ with opportunity for home working
Apply: https://tinyurl.com/3797waea

Both roles close Friday 28 August.

Don’t leave it until the deadline. Take a look, get your application in and take that next step towards your career.

Image descriptions:

Image 1: Mavis Technology logo. The logo features a navy and blue geometric “M” symbol above the words “Mavis Tech”, with “Mavis” in navy blue and “Tech” in bright blue, all set against a white background.

Image 2: Liberty Specialty Markets logo. The logo features a navy blue illustration of the Statue of Liberty, showing the figure holding a torch and wearing a crown, set against a white background.

25/08/2026

We want to hear from as many blind and partially sighted people as possible.

As part of Listening Month, we're asking you to take around 10 minutes to complete our survey and tell us about your experiences, the barriers you face and the changes that would make the biggest difference to your everyday life.

Your responses will help us understand where we should focus our campaigning and influencing work, whether that's transport, accessibility, employment, health, the built environment or other issues that matter to you.

Sight Loss Councils have also been out listening to blind and partially sighted people in communities across England, helping us build a clearer picture of what needs to change.

If you haven't completed the survey yet, please take 10 minutes to have your say. The survey closes soon, so we'd encourage you to complete it as soon as you can.

🔗 https://bit.ly/4v2MRaU



Image description: Members of Greater Manchester Sight Loss Council and Oldham Blind Veterans sit around joined tables during a Listening Month discussion in a community venue. Hot drinks, notebooks and mobility aids are visible as participants share their experiences.