Thomas Pocklington Trust

What Thomas Pocklington Trust does

Thomas Pocklington Trust is a UK registered charity (Charity Number 1113729, Company Number 5359336) founded in 1960 from the bequest of jeweller-turned-property developer Thomas Pocklington. The organisation operates from its Pocklington Hub headquarters in London and serves blind and partially sighted people across the United Kingdom, with a staff of 101-250 (more than half of whom are blind or partially sighted) supported by over 200 volunteers who share lived experience of sight loss. Its mission is to champion the needs and aspirations of blind and partially sighted people across education, employment, health and fitness, and broader access and inclusion.

The organisation delivers a portfolio of approximately ten core programmes. Education is supported through an Information Advice and Guidance Service plus volunteer-led Student Voices (ages 17+) and Young Voices (ages 13-16) groups. Employment is supported through the Works For Me programme and the flagship Get Set Progress internship programme, which has placed over 100 paid interns with UK employers since 2015. Approximately 20-25 regional Sight Loss Councils across England and Scotland deliver advocacy and Vision Awareness Training to employers and public venues. Supporting programmes include Skill Share (corporate partner training), the Eye Care Support Pathway, and access and inclusion campaigns spanning transport, built environment, and health. The underlying technology stack is described as not applicable, as the charity focuses on advocacy, support services, and education rather than technology development.

The business model is that of a non-commercial charity: services to beneficiaries are provided free of charge, and income is generated through charitable grants, donations, and corporate partnerships rather than traditional pricing. Named corporate partners and employer hosts span at least ten sectors, including media (Channel 4), healthcare (NHS, Moorfields Eye Charity, General Optical Council), retail (Five Guys, John Lewis), pharmaceuticals (Bayer), insurance (Liberty Insurance Group), professional services (Michael Page / PageGroup), and assistive technology providers (Dolphin Computer Access, Zappar, Bristol Braille Technology). Revenue and audited financial figures are not disclosed in the available input.

Name

Thomas Pocklington Trust

Legal name

Thomas Pocklington Trust

Website

https://pocklington-trust.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Thomas Pocklington Trust is a UK registered charity, founded in 1960 and headquartered in London, that provides education, employment, health and accessibility services to blind and partially sighted people across the United Kingdom through community-led programmes, employer partnerships, and approximately 25 regional Sight Loss Councils.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and Sight Loss Charity Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA)

Keywords

• Sight loss services
• Disability advocacy
• Employment support programmes
• Vision impairment support
• Inclusive education services

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable Grants and Donations: Thomas Pocklington Trust is a charitable organisation that raises funds through grants and donations to fund its programs supporting blind and partially sighted people. The organisation provides direct grants targeting systemic change and improvements to the lives of blind and partially sighted people.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Thomas Pocklington Trust is a UK-based charitable company limited by guarantee (Charity Number 1113729) that delivers services, advocacy and research for blind and partially sighted people. Founded in 1958, the charity runs direct service programmes (employment support, student participation, internships), operates a network of Sight Loss Councils that campaign on local accessibility issues, and funds research into the lived experience of sight loss.

Product overview

Thomas Pocklington Trust is a charitable organisation offering a portfolio of services and programmes supporting blind and partially sighted people across major life stages. The core offerings include the Education Information Advice and Guidance Service for students, the Get Set Progress Internship Programme for employment, and Vision Awareness Training for organisations. The volunteer programmes (Sight Loss Councils, Young Voices, and Student Voices) engage people with lived experience of sight loss to drive advocacy and accessibility improvements. The Skill Share programme facilitates knowledge transfer from corporate partners to beneficiaries. Services span education, employment, health, transport, and built environment accessibility, with Sight Loss Councils serving as the primary regional delivery mechanism across approximately 25 locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Employment Support Programme
• Sight Loss Councils
• Internship Programme
• Student Participation Service
• Sight Loss Research Programme
• Corporate Engagement and Partnerships Service

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 blind and partially sighted people placed in paid internships through Get Set Progress programme since 2015
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• The Royal ParksminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2025The Royal Parks charity received Introduction to Vision Awareness training from TPT. Sessions were held at Hyde Park Learning Centre for staff from learning & development, recruitment, volunteering, branding, horticulture, and HR departments. Training was led by Martin Symcox (Head of Partnerships) and Charlie Rashbrook (Internship Coordinator).
• Luto ResearchminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Luto Research, a healthcare communications company, delivered a Skill Share session on project management skills. Emma, Rachel, and Gill from Luto shared insights into project management processes and transferable skills.
• Nick ElstonminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 April 2024Motivational speaker Nick Elston delivered a Skill Share session 'Finding Your Voice' on public speaking to GSP interns, students, employment seekers, volunteers and employees. Nick shared experiences of mental illness and taught participants how to use lived experience to overcome anxiety about public speaking.
• Channel 4coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Channel 4, a UK public service broadcaster, has partnered with TPT to deliver Skill Share sessions on presentation and public speaking skills to Get Set Progress interns. Channel 4 also hosts an intern from the GSP programme. Jamie Ward (Head of Learning and Development) and Mollie Foskett (Learning and Development Advisor) delivered training sessions.
• Leonard CheshireminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Leonard Cheshire, a pan-disability charity, partnered with TPT for a Skill Share session on project management skills. Dave Hursthouse (Project Manager for Assistive Technology) delivered the session to GSP interns, employment seekers, students and volunteers.
• MüllerminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Müller, a dairy and yogurt company, delivered a workshop on branding and marketing for Young Voices volunteers. Markéta Kristlová (Brand Equity Lead) provided career insights and marketing skills training to help young volunteers develop their project work.
• Mace GroupminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Mace Group, a global leader in shaping the built environment, delivered two Skill Share episodes on social media in the workplace and empowering careers through social media. Evgeniya Vyaltseva (Social Media Manager) and JJ de Swardt (Associate Director of Marketing) led the sessions.
• Ethos FarmminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Ethos Farm, an employee and customer experience specialist, partnered with Bedfordshire Sight Loss Council to deliver vision awareness sessions for frontline teams at Luton DART. Ethos Farm provides pro-bono training and consultancy support for TPT staff and blind and partially sighted customers.
• College of PolicingminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023The College of Policing received an introduction to vision impairment session from TPT. Employees from HR, Training Delivery, DEI Team and Estates attended the training to better support visually impaired individuals.
• Michael Page / PageGroupcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Leading recruitment consultancy Michael Page (part of PageGroup) has been actively supporting TPT's Skill Share Programme since August 2022, providing expertise on recruitment and employability for blind and partially sighted candidates.
• Five GuysminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Following a guide dog refusal incident, Five Guys partnered with TPT to develop mandatory VI awareness training for all 4,000 staff across 136 UK restaurants. TPT provided guidelines and Sight Loss Council members participated in training video 'How can I help?'.
• Sight Loss Councils (regional organisations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSight Loss Councils are regional groups led by blind and partially sighted people, funded by Thomas Pocklington Trust. They work with organisations to ensure accessibility and inclusivity using lived experience of sight loss. There are approximately 20 Sight Loss Councils across England, with expansion to Scotland and Wales planned.
• UK CoachingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK Coaching created a toolkit 'Inclusive facilities: Supporting people with a visual impairment' in partnership with Thomas Pocklington Trust. The toolkit contains resources for sport, physical activity and leisure operators to train front-line staff on supporting visually impaired individuals.
• Liberty Insurance GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner hosting Get Set Progress internship placements for blind and partially sighted candidates.
• General Optical CouncilminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare regulator that has hosted Get Set Progress interns. CEO Leonie Milliner stated the programme has been transformative for their ability to employ blind or partially sighted colleagues.
• Dolphin Computer AccessminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology partner in the assistive technology sector that has hosted Get Set Progress internship placements.
• ZapparminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology company that has hosted Get Set Progress interns. Product Director Chris Holton praised the quality and experience of candidates from the programme.
• Bristol Braille TechnologyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology company focused on accessibility solutions that has hosted Get Set Progress internship placements.
• Nicholson & Co AccountancyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAccountancy firm that has hosted Get Set Progress interns including Bilaal Ali who completed a placement as Junior Accountant.
• Leeds PlayhouseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTheatre in the creative industry sector that has hosted Get Set Progress internship placements.
• Extant Theatre CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTheatre company focused on accessible performances that has hosted Get Set Progress internship placements.
• Macular SocietyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSight loss charity in the not-for-profit sector that has hosted Get Set Progress internship placements.
• Retina UKminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSight loss charity in the not-for-profit sector that has hosted Get Set Progress internship placements.
• Sight For SurreyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal sight loss charity that has hosted Get Set Progress internship placements.
• Sight Scotland VeteransminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSight loss charity serving veterans that has hosted Get Set Progress internship placements, including Assistive Technology intern Amy McAinsh.
• Sight Loss Councils (Wales)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTPT is establishing Sight Loss Councils in Wales with delivery partner organisations. Funding available for pilot of two SLCs over two years starting April 2025. Applications were invited by January 2025.
• Network RailminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork Rail collaborated with TPT and Sight Loss Councils on the Bristol Temple Meads audio guide launch to improve station accessibility for blind and partially sighted passengers.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Retina UK: UK charity supporting people affected by inherited sight loss. Listed as a TPT partner hosting GSP interns; comparable mission and overlapping beneficiary pool of blind and partially sighted people.
• Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB): UK's largest sight-loss charity offering information, advice, employment support and campaigning. Direct competitor to Thomas Pocklington Trust for donor funds, government grants and employer partnerships in the blind and partially sighted space.
• Macular Society: UK charity specifically focused on macular disease, providing information, research funding and peer support. TPT's own data lists them as a partner hosting Get Set Progress interns; they overlap in the sight-loss beneficiary base and grant-making space.
• Action for Blind People / RNIB Group: Part of the RNIB group providing practical support, employment and learning services for blind and partially sighted people. Directly comparable employment and education programme portfolio to TPT.
• Guide Dogs for the Blind Association: Major UK sight-loss charity providing mobility services, including guide dog training, and advocacy. Comparable as a large incumbent sight-loss nonprofit competing for similar donor and corporate-partnership funding.

Broad incumbents

• Mencap: UK's leading learning disability charity with employment and education programmes. Comparable as a large incumbent in the disability employment and education space competing for Access to Work and corporate funding.
• Leonard Cheshire: UK pan-disability charity supporting disabled people into employment, education and independent living. Listed as a TPT Skill Share partner; comparable as a broader disability nonprofit with overlapping employment and skills programmes.
• Sense UK: Large UK disability charity supporting people with complex disabilities including visual impairment. Comparable as a broader incumbent offering overlapping employment, education and community programmes.

Regional players

• Sight Scotland: Scottish sight-loss charity providing education, residential and family support. Comparable as a regionally focused sight-loss organisation; relevant as TPT plans Scotland Sight Loss Council expansion.

Others

• Disability Rights UK: UK disability rights and advocacy organisation. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem player focused on policy, rights and inclusion affecting visually impaired people, but not a direct service-delivery competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TPTgeneral
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UChEcHBANJwZoRBaEcD9LEjA
• Facebookfacebook.com/Thomas-Pocklington-Trust-141381932556445
• LinkedInuk.linkedin.com/company/pocklington-trust
• Instagraminstagram.com/thomas_pocklington_trust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Thomas Pocklington Trust