The Thomas Pocklngton Trust’s strategic priorities are to increase awareness and understanding of the needs and aspirations of blind and partially sighted people. These include:

o Acting as an advocate and positive change agent for blind and partially sighted people.
o Being an effective partner and grant funder based on our knowledge of the sector.
o Creating opportunities for blind and partially sighted people seeking employment.
o Enabling opportunities and supporting blind and partially sighted people in and entering education, and
o Facilitating the voice and encouraging self-determination of blind and partially sighted people.

The Trust is currently inviting applications for grants of up to £10,000 from UK registered charities for new and innovative projects in at least one of the following areas:

o Infrastructure and impact – including developing technological capabilities, restructuring reviews, Theory of Change, feasibility studies, partnership working (including resource sharing) and integrations and mergers, and
o Insights and research – gaps in data and evidence that can improve knowledge across the sector
o Innovation Seed Fund – initial funding for ideas and projects which can have a transformative benefit to the lives of blind and partially sighted people.

Grants can be used for:

o Capital equipment where the capital items form part of the total cost of the project submitted. 
o New staff posts. 
o Paid training. 
o Professional fees, such as consultants, and
o Resource development, including printing, marketing, website design etc.

Further information, guidance and details about how to apply can be found on the Trust’s website.

The programme is scheduled to remain open until Sunday 5th February 2023. However, the Trust has stated that it may close early if the available budget has been fully committed.