Case Study

Finding the right support started my countdown to success

1 Apr 2025

Deal or No Deal, The Weakest Link, The Chase, Countdown... listening to daytime TV programmes was part of Mohammed’s daily routine after early-onset blindness left his dream of being an accountant in tatters.

Diagnosed with glaucoma aged 16 and told it would lead to complete sight loss was “devastating” he says:

“My ambition was to work in finance and I didn’t give up on it. I started a degree in accountancy, did my exams, and completed my professional training in 2009. It was in that year that I was registered blind.”

Mohammed did some temporary work with accountancy firms before his failing eyesight saw him settle into life as a stay-at-home dad, caring for his three children. He says: “I spent my days watching TV. I was not only economically inactive I was also physically inactive and developed high blood pressure.”

So in 2021 he decided that it was time to try to get back into work. He was referred to Ingeus’ Central London Works (CLW) team which operates the Government’s Work and Health programme, offering personalised support for those who are unemployed, including people with a disability.

The 40-year-old says: “I was referred to caseworker Mary, who also is visually impaired and understood my needs. 

“She referred me to disability charity Scope and the Royal National Institute of Blind People, where I took courses on Living with Sight Loss and Technology for Life.”

Mary helped Mohammed compile his CV and put him in touch with the Thomas Pocklington Trust where he secured a finance intern position.

He learned to touch type and how to use text-to-speech software: “It was a game changer. Using a computer is a massive barrier for visually impaired people so it was a significant hurdle to overcome.”

When his job at the Trust came to an end, Ingeus saw an opportunity for him to join its CLW team to support participants overcome their own health issues and secure worthwhile jobs.

To enable him to work effectively Mohammed was given an iPhone, which is more user friendly to visually impaired people, with accessibility functions that convert documents into speech, and send and receive texts and emails. The Government’s Access to Work scheme finances a support worker and covers his travelling expenses, and Mary was assigned to help him settle into his new role.

He says: “It has been an entirely positive experience. I learned that change is possible. With determination and the right level of support I was able to rebuild my life. I came into the job with energy and passion but if Mary hadn’t given me that support I wouldn’t be where I am today. My lived experience means I can relate to participants because I’ve been in their shoes.”

Today Mohammed is one of the team’s highest performing caseworkers, although he says career success is not only about receiving a monthly pay packet.

“Financially, not needing Universal Credit was a milestone that still feels massive to me.

“I can afford things that seemed out of reach before—simple stuff like being able to treat my kids to a day out – and I don’t have that sinking feeling at the end of the month, wondering how the bills will be paid. My family can breathe easier, and that’s something I’ll never take for granted.

“Going back to work, however, has given me a sense of purpose again, a routine. You don’t realise how much you miss that structure until it’s gone. Waking up each day, knowing you’ve got somewhere to be, a team counting on you, goals to hit – it’s empowering.

“The change in my children has been amazing as well. They see me going to work every day and it’s setting an example for them. It shows them that no matter how tough things get, you can turn it around.

“People must want to be helped – the ambition has got to be there – but with support, BINGO, you are on the way.”