Communications Intern

Join us at MertonVision

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. MertonVision is delighted to be offering an internship as part of the Get Set Progress scheme.

About MertonVision

MertonVision was established to grant assistance to all blind and partially sighted persons ordinarily resident in the London Borough of Merton. We visit blind and partially sighted persons in their own homes, hospitals or elsewhere with a view to affording them comfort and encouragement and assistance in the solution of domestic and other problems. We provide every other service and assistance necessary for the benefit, health and comfort of blind and partially sighted persons in relation to their visual impairment and any other impairment they may have.

MertonVision offers both professional and volunteer services to blind and partially sighted adults and children and organises a variety of social and leisure activities. All our activities and centre-based services are now available to all people living with hearing loss.

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. The skills that you will receive support and guidance around include CV writing, job searching, writing cover letters and speculative letters, completing application forms, and interview techniques.

Job Description

Role: Communications Intern

Department: Outreach Team

Reporting to: Nina Mitchell, Office Manager

Location: Office based at the Guardian Centre, 67 Clarendon Road, Colliers Wood, SW19 2DX

Salary: Based on the Real Living Wage

Contract type: Fixed-term, 9-month full-time (35 hours per week) contract.

Job Specification Information

Overview of the Role:

The chosen candidate will showcase the work of MertonVision and communicate the stories of change in people’s lives through a variety of channels, including our print newsletter, website, and social media channels.

Social Media

• Manage and provide engaging content for all our social media platforms
• Seek out new social media opportunities for MertonVision to engage with new audiences

Website

• Manage and update our website, keeping it fresh and relevant
• Provide regular updates via our news and blog pages
• Ensure calendars are kept up to date
• Provide regular e-news bulletins and increase engagement

Print Communications

• Manage our quarterly newsletter
• Provide interesting and meaningful content
• Support our digital fundraising through our website, JustGiving and other digital platforms
• Support our community fundraising, ensuring events and campaigns are widely advertised

Other duties:

• Attend all meetings associated with your internship with Thomas Pocklington Trust
• Attend and contribute to team meetings.
• Attend relevant training and networking events.
• Be an ambassador for MertonVision and help us to reach out, grow, and continue to support visually impaired people across Merton and southwest London.
• Other reasonable duties set out by your line manager and the Chief Executive.
• There may, on occasion, be a need to work outside normal hours, e.g. weekends and evenings.

Personal Specification – Essential Criteria:

This post has a Genuine Occupational Requirement that the successful applicant must be a person who is blind or partially sighted, in line with the Equality Act 2010.

• Lived experience of visual impairment
• High level of literacy and IT skills
• Knowledge of accessibility relating to web content and social media.
• Willingness to travel to and work at MertonVision’s premises.
• Willingness to travel to the TPT Hub in London for intern development events throughout the course of the internship programme (costs covered by TPT).
• Having not previously undertaken the Get Set Progress internship programme.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience in digital communications.
• Experience of web content management systems (CMS), for example WordPress.
• Experience of promoting activities and events through digital and print communications.
• Knowledge of using Canva, InDesign and or other digital media platforms.

Personal Qualities:

• The ability to work under own initiative.
• High level of organisation
• A passion for communicating.
• A supportive team player.
• Empathy and willingness to understand different people’s needs.
• The ability to communicate with staff, volunteers, clients, and supporters of MertonVision.

What To Do Next – How To Apply

To apply, please email your CV with a covering letter to Kevin Gregory, the CEO, at kevin.gregory@mertonvision.org.uk

Closing Date: 1^st September 2025.

Interview Date: Week commencing 8^th September 2025.

MertonVision, The Guardian Centre, 67 Clarendon Road, Colliers Wood, SW19 2DX.

Telephone: 020 8540 5446.

Email: info@mertonvision.org.uk

Please note, an enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) and reference check will be obtained for the successful candidate.