Partnering with College of Policing

On 18^th October 2023 Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) delivered an introduction to vision impairment session at the College of Policing.  Employees attended from several college departments, including HR Business Partner and Employee Relations Teams, Training Delivery, DEI Team and Estates.

Jonathan Ward, Employment Manager at TPT hosted the session, where he talked about his own sight loss journey, accompanied by Jen Sweeney, Corporate Engagement Manager at TPT.   The session was organised to provide confidence to participants in providing services to blind and partially sighted people and to give them information on how they help to lessen the impact of sight loss.

The team each introduced themselves wearing simulation specs, which enable the wearer to get a better understanding of some of the most common eye conditions.  Topics covered on the day included eye care health, preventing sight loss, exploration of the different types of sight loss, and how to communicate with a person who is blind or partially sighted.  An opportunity to learn some practical skills followed where participants took a walk around the training centre and outdoor space in simulation specs and blindfolds.  Here Jonathan and Jen gave some practical tips on sighted guiding ranging from opening doors, recognising tactile flooring, to using chairs and stairs.

The session continued with some guidance on ensuring an accessible workplace, before breaking out into groups to explore potential challenges blind and partially sighted people might face at the college of policing alongside ways to overcome them.  The workshop culminated in the sharing of some fabulous ideas about how we can improve the experience for visually impaired colleagues and staff.

Feedback From the Session

“The practical nature of it and was really easy to understand the different issues that people may encounter.” 

Jo Smith

Moving forward Lucy, Jo and the DEI team are working to complete RNIB’s ‘Visibly Better Standard’ at the College of Policing.  We will be using our learning from the day to support ongoing work as a Disability Confident Leader.

“Lovely people and really opened my eyes up to what we can do to support anyone attending our site.”

said Murdoch MacRury MBE CIWFM, Facilities Manager.

TPT run an annual internship programme ‘Get Set Progress’ enabling people who are blind or partially sighted to have the opportunity to showcase their talents across multiple sectors.  We are hoping to introduce an intern to the college in due course, in the meantime we are grateful for the support of Lynn Dunleavy, PMO and Assurance Manager, who has committed to delivering a project management session on our Skill Share programme to our interns in the new year!

For more information on how to partner with us, contact jen.sweeney@pocklington.org.uk.