Work for Us

Community Support Intern

Join us at Essex Sight

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.  Essex Sight is delighted to be offering an internship as part of this scheme.

About Essex Sight

Essex Sight is a charity dedicated to supporting people living with sight loss in Essex. From our base in Colchester, we operate on an outreach basis covering the eastern half of the county, working closely with eye clinics, the Essex Vision sight loss charities, Essex County Council and other sensory providers to co-ordinate a range of support services.

Job description

Role: Community Support Intern

Reporting to: Jonathan Dixon

Location: 40, North Hill, Colchester with some outreach (transport provided)

Salary: Based on the Real Living Wage

Contract type: Fixed Term, 9-month contract, full or part-time hours to be agreed with the successful candidate

Purpose of the role:

We are seeking a motivated and compassionate intern to support our team across a range of activities. This role offers valuable experience in the charity sector, particularly in services supporting people with visual impairments.

Main responsibilities:

• Assist in the delivery of services for individuals with sight loss
• Support outreach and community engagement initiatives
• Help organise events, workshops, and awareness campaigns
• Assist with administrative tasks (data entry, emails, scheduling)
• Contribute to social media and communications content
• Provide general support to staff and volunteers

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

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Empathy and interest in supporting people with disabilities
• Good organisational and time-management abilities
• Basic IT skills (Microsoft Office, email, social media)
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Desirable personal specifications

• Interest in the charity or non-profit sector
• Knowledge of accessibility or disability issues
• Experience in volunteering or community work 

Closing date:

20^th July 2026

How to apply

Please email your CV and a covering letter indicating your suitability for the role by clearly stating how you meet the criteria in the person specification. You may use evidence from work, volunteering, and your personal life.

Email to recruitment@essexsight.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.