18/09/2026
It’s been a week since we joined colleagues and organisations from across the charity sector at the @[2834Third Sector Awards, and we’ve been thinking about what the evening meant to us.
Being named a finalist for Charity Partnership of the Year was recognition of something that goes far beyond an awards ceremony. It was recognition of the people behind our Education, Information, Advice and Guidance Service and the difference they’re making every day.
Nicole Bassett, our Education Services Manager, was there on the night and shared what she’s most proud of:
“Being nominated for the Third Sector Partnership of the Year Award was a fantastic achievement and a reflection of the dedication, passion, and hard work of the team. Through the partnership we have been able to support over 650 children and young people since it began in 2025 and I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve accomplished together so far.”
Since launching in April 2025, our Education, Information, Advice and Guidance Service has supported more than 650 children and young people who are blind or partially sighted, alongside their parents, families and the professionals supporting them.
But numbers only tell part of the story. We’ve heard from parents, professionals and students about how the service has supported them and helped them navigate what can sometimes feel like a complicated education system.
Those testimonies, and knowing that our Education Advisers are making a real difference to the lives of the people they support, are what keep the team motivated.
The service provides information, advice and guidance to help blind and partially sighted children, young people and students navigate their education and access the support they need. To find out more or get in touch, email [email protected].
A big thank you to Third Sector for recognising the partnership with this nomination, and to everyone at TPT and Guide Dogs UK who works so hard to make sure the service continues to deliver on its purpose.
We may have left the awards without the trophy, but we left feeling incredibly proud of the work behind the nomination.
Image descriptions;
Image 1: Nicole Bassett, TPT Education Services Manager, Louise Neuchterlien, Habilitation & Education Service Manager at Guide Dogs, Kerry Kernan, CYPF Operations Lead at Guide Dogs, and Tara Chattaway, TPT Head of Education, posing for a photograph in front of a Third Sector Awards sponsor backdrop. The group is dressed in formal evening attire and standing in the event reception area.
Image 2: Attendees seated at round tables in a large ballroom during the Third Sector Awards ceremony. A brightly lit stage with large screens and colourful lighting is visible beneath crystal chandeliers.
Image 3: Audience members watch a presentation on a large screen at the Third Sector Awards. The screen displays information about Guide Dogs and Thomas Pocklington Trust Education Support Service, with stage lighting and chandeliers visible overhead.
