Free careers advice for blind and partially sighted young people impacted by Covid-19

Date posted: 6th July 2021

Blind and partially sighted children and young people who missed out on careers guidance because of Covid-19 can access free specialist advice for a limited time through a new service from Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT).

TPT is offering blind and partially sighted children and young people the opportunity to sign up to the Careers Advice COVID catch-up service. The service is designed to fill any gaps in local careers support because of the knock-on effect of Covid-19. It will provide a space to discuss and explore career options including further academic study, vocational training or employment.

Gareth Brydon, Children and Young People Manager at TPT, said: “We know from research published in May 2021 by Launch Your Career that with economic uncertainty many young people are worried about the future. There has been a shortfall in careers support available from schools and colleges across England; in the worst cases some have received no input since the first national lockdown in March 2020. Now more than ever we need to reach out to children and young people to help them make the right decisions”.

The service works by connecting young people in years 10 to 13 in mainstream school or college with a qualified careers adviser that has specialist knowledge of vision impairment. Sessions will take place via Zoom or over the telephone.

Those accessing the service will receive an initial one-hour session with guidance notes produced afterwards to help take any follow up actions.

Gareth Brydon added: “After a tough 16 months, TPT is keen to play its part in helping fill the gaps in essential careers support.”

Young people can find out more about the Careers Advice COVID catch-up service via the website.

 

Contact studentsupport@pocklington-trust.org.uk, or call the Student Support line on 0203 757 8040. The line is manned every Tuesday and Wednesday between 10am and 4pm. Outside of these hours you will be asked to leave your name, number and a short message and a member of our team will get back to you.

 

ENDS

 

Editors’ Notes

About Thomas Pocklington Trust

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. These include:

 

• Acting as an advocate and positive change agent for blind and partially sighted people.
• Creating opportunities for blind and partially sighted people seeking employment.
• Enabling opportunities and supporting blind and partially sighted people whilst in and entering education.
• Facilitating the voice and encouraging self-determination of blind and partially sighted people.
• Being an effective partner and grant funder based on our knowledge of the sector.

www.pocklington-trust.org.uk