Sensory Impairment Assistant Intern
Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) and RNIB are collaborating with organisations from both the sight loss and wider charity sector as well as corporate organisations to create new opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to find employment through the Get Set Progress (GSP) Internship programme. Sensory Matters Worcestershire is delighted to be offering an internship as part of the Get Set Progress scheme.
About Sensory Matters Worcester
We are a charity providing information, advice and practical support to people living with sensory impairment across Worcestershire. Our Information and Advice team works directly with clients to help them understand what support is available, access the services they need, and develop the confidence and skills to live more independently.
Our vision:
A world where sensory impaired people have the confidence to lead fulfilling lives.
Our purpose:
We will give sensory impaired people the support they need to make choices about their own lives.
Our values:
- Individual- our services are person centred and the people we support are at the heart of everything we do
- Accessible- our services are accessible and are communicated in the person’s preferred language and in the method most accessible to the
- Empowering- we will support people to gain independence and confidence to make choices about their lives, making sure they have access to the information they need to do so
- For the journey- we will support people at all the different stages of their sensory impairment and when new challenges appear.
Job description
Role: Sensory Impairment Assistant Intern
Department: Information and Advice
Reporting to: Information and Advice Lead
Location: The Bradbury Centre, 2 Sansome Walk, Worcester WR1 1LH
Salary: Based on National Minimum Wage
Contract type: Fixed Term, 9-month contract Part time, 2 a week (Monday to Thursday, 1030 to 16300 – excluding 4 hrs for development activities on Friday)
Purpose of the role:
To initially provide administrative support to the information and advice team and other services as required but to develop over time to be able to give basic information and advice to the people we support.
Main responsibilities:
- Administration
- Updating CRM with client details
- Making and answering telephone calls and emails
- Providing basic information and advice
- Demonstrating low vision aids and equipment
Person specification
Essential criteria
Important information:
- This role has a Genuine Occupational Requirement that the successful applicant be a person who is blind or partially sighted, in line with The Equality Act 2010.
- Interns need to be able to travel to the TPT Hub in London for development events throughout the course of the internship programme (costs covered by TPT).
- Having not previously undertaken the Get Set Progress internship programme.
- Successful applicants must have the Right to Work in the UK for the duration of the Internship. Sponsorship will not be provided.
Essential personal specifications
It is essential that you can demonstrate;
- Some experience or examples of working with other people to achieve a shared purpose. This might be from previous employment, voluntary work or day-to-day life
- An understanding, beyond your own lived experience, of the barriers and challenges which sensory impaired people may face.
- A commitment to working in a person-centred, non-judgmental way.
- An understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Awareness of the importance of confidentiality and data protection.
It is essential that you; - Are a confident communicator and understand the importance of adapting your approach for different audiences.
- Are able to manage your time and workload, with support.
- Have good basic IT skills, including use of Microsoft Office.
- Have the ability to work as part of a team and develop positive working relationships.
- Understand the need to use your initiative to work independently
- Are willing to travel across the county, with assistance of Access to Work if required.
It is essential that you have:
- A genuine interest in supporting people with sensory impairment to make choices about their lives.
- A willingness to learn, take on new challenges and develop.
- A professional attitude, including being reliable and punctual.
- A willingness to be flexible and support wider team activities
Desirable personal specifications
We would like to know if you have;
- Experience of working with people who have disabilities or health conditions, including as a peer, volunteer, or carer.
- Experience of supporting others to access information or services.
- Experience of volunteering or community activities.
- We would like to know if you have some awareness of the principles of safeguarding adults.
- We would like to know if you have experience of using a client record system and/or database.
Closing date:
Tuesday the 14th of July at 17:00
How to apply
To apply, send your CV and a cover letter to k.wakefield@sensory-matters.org.uk
What are the benefits of a Get Set Progress internship for me?
As part of your 9-month internship, you will be part of a large cohort of fellow interns and gain the following:
- Obtain valuable work experience within the charity sector
- Technology support (Including Microsoft Office) and upskilling opportunities
- Online and in-person Training and development opportunities
- Opportunity to present and network with Senior leaders within the Sight Loss Sector
- Opportunities to build relationships with fellow interns
- A personal mentor offering support, advice and guidance throughout your internship
- Help deliver positive changes for people with sight loss
As part of the GSP Internship programme, you will also be enrolled on the TPT Works For Me Employment Programme, where you will gain bespoke employment support, guidance and advice from the TPT Employment Team, some of the skills that you will receive support and guidance around include:
- CV writing
- Job searching
- Cover letter and speculative letter writing
- Application form writing
- Interview techniques
Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) is a charity established to provide services for visually impaired people: our mission is to improve the lives of people living with sight loss.
TPT is registered with the Disability Confident Scheme as a Disability Confident employer. Therefore, we believe in treating all employees fairly and we are committed to recruiting equally. TPT’s charitable objective and aim is to support visually impaired individuals back into work. For this reason, we are actively seeking applications from all backgrounds including disabled/visually impaired individuals and people who have lived experience of sight loss. We also guarantee all disabled applicants that reach the minimum appointment criteria an interview. We are happy to accept applications from all suitably qualified people who have the appropriate skills and talent regardless of their age, gender, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or marital status.
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[GD1] As 20% of the interns time is spent with TPT activities on a Friday, 4,5 hours will need to be allocated for this and therefor reflected in their weekday hours
