Edesiri: King’s College Hospital’s first-ever blind volunteer

Edesiri is 23 years old and lives in Streatham, South London. He’s currently studying IT at RSBC’s Dorton College in Orpington.

As someone who’ll be looking to enter the workplace in summer 2026, Edesiri was keen to gain some work experience this year to help him achieve his goal of finding a full-time admin job when he leaves college.

The Dorton College team supported Edesiri in his search, and RSBC Futures Tutor, Tricia, found that King's College Hospital offered volunteering opportunities. After an initial approach from her, Edesiri was invited for a video call interview at the hospital in March 2025. With accessibility in mind, he was offered several adjustments by the hospital to ensure that he could perform at his best on the day, including a copy of the PowerPoint presentation they’d be using so that he was able to prepare. 

Edisiri proved just what he was capable of at his interview. As Christian Rafael, Volunteer Services Recruitment and Training Coordinator at King's College Hospital, recalls, “Edesiri is an amazing and very capable young man! Immediately after hearing his answers during his recruitment interview, I saw potential in him. We agreed to take him on because his performance was exceptional. We didn’t see why having a visual impairment should be a hindrance to anyone, especially someone who answered the scenarios in the way he did.”

Following his fantastic performance at his interview, Edesiri became the first volunteer with vision impairment that King's College Hospital had ever had. Once his position had been confirmed, the hospital was keen to ensure that his needs were accommodated within his new admin volunteering role, and Tricia was able to help them understand the adjustments that would have to be in place before he could start. 

And so, even before his first day, Edesiri had already made a significant impact on the Trust and how it works with any blind or partially sighted volunteers or employees. That’s because he uses specific read-aloud software and a Q-Braille to read braille and make out the content as presented on a computer screen. His Q-Braille hardware also allows him to reply to emails or create word documents from scratch.

Thanks to collaboration between the hospital’s teams, his technology was approved – meaning that anyone who is vision impaired can now use the same software as Edesiri, creating a much more inclusive environment within the hospital trust.

“While I had to wait for all the specialist equipment to be approved by the IT managers, I still visited the office after my interview, just to say hello to the staff. I also did a few scavenger hunts, where I navigated around the hospital to find different areas from clues,” he says.

A few months later, everything was in place and Edesiri was thrilled to complete Day 1 at the hospital. He said, “I’m so excited to have started my work experience. I’m ready to show others that blind people can do more!”

Now that Edesiri has several weeks of work experience under his belt, what are his initial thoughts?

“During my work experience, I’ve been given a job around the attendances and the start dates of the volunteers, which I think is interesting. I’m so grateful that the hospital has entrusted me with the responsibility of handling the attendance, as it involves a lot of memory skills and knowledge of the whole process of the NHS system. They’ve also given me other jobs that I’ll be doing later in my work placement.

“I’ve enjoyed talking to and meeting new staff within the NHS and other volunteers. They are nice, and interested in my technology and what I can do as a blind person.”

Edesiri has also found fame within the King's College Hospital volunteer newsletter, where he was featured in November 2025 as part of its Disabled History Month celebrations. 

“When I was mentioned in the hospital newsletter, I was happy and surprised at the same time. I didn't even think they’d mention me, because it’s such a big hospital and a busy environment. But it’s also part of my goal to show others what blind people can actually do. I want other blind people to be given opportunities and live their best life!” 

Edesiri’s been supported at Dorton College by RSBC Learning Support Assistant, Ify, for around a year. During his hospital work experience, she’s been helping him to navigate his surroundings and establish what he’s expected to do. “The Volunteer Office can be noisy and busy, with lots of people going in and out, and conversations taking place with Edesiri and other volunteers at the same time,” she explains. “I help to filter these conversations and clarify to Edesiri when he needs to respond.”

She continues, “He began the work optimistic, positive and excited. The first week of induction was quite complex, with lots of information to dissect, but Edesiri took it all in his stride and soldiered on with calm professionalism. That made me very proud.”

“Edesiri’s top strengths are his resilience and his willingness to complete a task,” agrees Christian. “He’s very eager to understand new tasks presented to him, no matter how complex they may seem, through using a Q-Braille.

“I’d say to other organisations, be open to opportunities. You’ll never know what an impact a student can make with a bit of time and dedication. It only takes one to open the door for many others!”

King's College Hospital has shown how flexibility in processes, as well as in using available technology, can allow blind employees to fully contribute to organisational success. 

Edesiri believes that people with vision impairments are often overlooked and don’t get given a chance to show their skills and abilities, and he’s been determined to grasp this opportunity to show his skills.

Let’s leave the last words to Edesiri himself.

“As a blind person, I’ve been given the chance to have different placements within the NHS. It’s helped me gain knowledge and given me a better understanding of what it’s like to work in an office environment. I will use these skills in the future, hopefully in a permanent admin role.

“I just want to say a massive thank you to the staff at King's College Hospital, including Christian and Amber. Also, thank you to Tricia for believing in me and never giving up on me, and thank you, Ify, for always helping me with the travel part of my work experience.”

Amazing Edesiri’s helped make it possible for other blind or partially sighted young people to gain vital work experience at King's College Hospital – experience that will be crucial if they're to gain employment in the spheres they’re passionate about.

And finally…

Edesiri would love to hear from any organisation which might want to speak to him about an admin role when he leaves Dorton College in July 2026! Find him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/edesiri-eyeregba-82965a23b/