Michael Page Breaks Down Barriers to Employability

Since August 2022, the partnership between Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) and leading recruitment consultancy Michael Page (part of PageGroup) has gone from strength to strength.   

As well as providing an ongoing referral service to our employment team to support blind and partially sighted individuals to find meaningful employment, the team also support our TPT Skill Share calendar of events.  Skill Share provides additional learning and development to our ‘Get Set Progress’ interns, employment seekers, Sight Loss Council volunteers and TPT employees, and enables organisations to share their skill set through volunteering, sessions are delivered both online and in-person.   

In April 2024, Consultant Kim Bowler, DE&I division of Michael Page, delivered a ‘Breaking Barriers’ session.  Back by popular demand, this thought-provoking Skill Share was delivered through Kim’s lived experience of an acquired disability following a serious road traffic incident.  Kim provides hints and tips about physical and emotional steps of recovery, alongside returning to the workplace.  

In May 2024, a further session was delivered by Kim and Bolu, providing guidance on making the most of a recruitment consultancy.  During the event, Michael Page consultants provided 121 online mock interviews for interns, tips on interview techniques and CV writing skills were also shared.  

Kim Bowler, Consultant at Michael Page said: 

“It has been a pleasure for us in the DE&I division to support the interns at Thomas Pocklington Trust, specifically with the “How To Get The Most From A Recruitment Consultancy” module. I was delighted to see how well attended the session was, and to have been the launch pad towards mock interviews with the PageGroup Consultants. I hope everyone who attended moves confidently into full time positions and if I can assist further, I welcome the opportunity.” 

George Plumridge, Information Support Officer at Nystagmus Network said: 

 “The 1:1 mock interview with an experienced Michael Page consultant was an excellent opportunity to practice interview situations. It highlighted my strengths and provided invaluable feedback to help me develop crucial lifelong skills. I really enjoyed the session and found it incredibly beneficial.” 

 Jen Sweeney, Corporate Engagement Manager at TPT said: 

“I very much enjoy the ongoing working relationship we have with Kim and the team at Michael Page, the partnership brings so much to different groups of blind and partially sighted people we support, and at the same time enables Michael Page employees to contribute their skills on a voluntary basis.” 

  For more information about partnerships at TPT, and to find out more about the TPT Skill Share calendar of events, please contact jen.sweeney@pocklington.org.uk