Interested in providing work experience opportunities?

One of the biggest challenges facing people who are blind or partially sighted is overcoming the myths and breaking through the barriers that prevent them from gaining employment. Given the right opportunities and support blind and partially sighted people can add real value to your organisation.

Woman talking on phone

The Social Enterprise and Employment Development (SEED) Project has been developed to work with social enterprises in the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber and the West Midlands to provide work experience placements for blind and partially sighted people.

By their very nature, social enterprises are supportive environments for staff and by offering placements in this kind of setting, you can help blind and partially sighted people to boost their skills and self-confidence and move closer to securing meaningful employment.

But that’s not all... the SEED Project also exists to support the development of social enterprises. We want the placements to be just as valuable to you. There are over 62,000 social enterprises in the UK, all of whom could benefit from this skilled and dedicated workforce. Increasing diversity within the workforce can strengthen reputation both internally and externally.

What’s in it for you?

  • More customers! A diverse workforce is a reflection of your customer base. Disabled people spend money too so why not get a share of the market?
  • Helps to meet an organisation's corporate social responsibility.
  • Supporting disabled or disadvantaged people can attract potential funding streams or funders.

And of course, the SEED team will support social enterprises throughout the work experience placements. This support could include:

  • Specialist equipment advice.
  • Equipment loan.
  • Health and safety monitoring.
  • Visual awareness training.
  • Recruitment, training and retention advice.
  • Referrals to additional support available from Action for Blind People.

Alistair Ponton the Managing Director of Viewpoint CIC said: 'The team we have recruited through Action have been enormously beneficial to Viewpoint. Their customer service and IT skills have pushed the boundaries of what services our business can offer and their attitude to helping Viewpoint succeed has reinvigorated our entire staff team.'

If you would like to find out more about offering work experience placements please contact us.

Contact the SEED team

The team are always looking to work with mainstream employers to provide much needed opportunities. So if you would be interested in finding out more about employing someone with a visual impairment, offering work experience placements or just making your business more accessible please get in touch.