Meet our community: Joe Maguire
Joe lives with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). After completing his GCSEs and A-levels, he studied History at the University of Liverpool, graduating with a 2:1. He went on to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Management at Bournemouth University, which included a semester in Cologne.
He said: “University was a hugely important time for me. As well as gaining qualifications, I developed vital independent living skills such as cooking, cleaning and managing daily life. I also accessed support through the Disabled Students’ Allowance, which helped me engage fully with my course.”
After graduating, Joe faced a three-year gap before securing employment. He describes it as “an extremely challenging period”. He applied for a wide range of roles but said he “struggled with confidence, often convincing myself not to apply because I assumed I wouldn’t succeed or that employers wouldn’t look past my sight loss”. This lack of self-belief proved to be one of his biggest barriers.
In late 2022, he applied for a role at Blind in Business through the TPT Get Set Progress Internship Scheme. He said “I started as an Employment Coordinator in January 2023. The nine-month paid internship combined hands-on work with structured training, helping me develop professional skills and confidence. In September 2023, I was delighted to be offered a permanent role.
“In 2025, I moved into my current role as a Pathways Coordinator, working with young people aged 13–18. I deliver workshops in mainstream and specialist schools, support students to access work experience, and help them build confidence and employability skills for the future.
“I’m proud of how far I’ve come and passionate about helping other blind and partially sighted people believe in their potential and take confident steps towards employment.”