JOBLESS people with sight problems will have the chance to learn employable skills and show them off as part of the York800 celebrations.

The Wilberforce Trust is running a 12-week course at its headquarters in Huntington at which trainees will make and sell functional “art” objects or food products and get a grounding in marketing, event management and customer service.

They will finish the course with a water-borne exhibition and auction of their work on the River Ouse as part of the York800 Festival Of The Rivers in July.

Rachel Lintott, rehabilitation services manager for the trust, said: “This is a really exciting project for visually-impaired people which fully supports the Government’s agenda to get people with a disability into work which can use what skills and abilities they have.

“I’m delighted to be mounting this innovative project at a time when York will be celebrating the many innovations born in York over the past eight centuries.”

Registration for the course is on Monday, March 5, at 9.30am at the trust’s headquarters, and the course itself will run from April to July in its Living & Learning Zone.

There are places for 24 trainees, and if more than that apply, those unsuccessful will be placed on a waiting list for future courses. Applicants do not have to be registered blind, but they must have a significant visual impairment up to total sight loss, be currently unemployed and keen to get either paid employment or volunteer work.

Trainees will do half a day a week concentrating on practical skills for the first ten weeks.

The aim is to train them to make products to a high commercial standard and give them skills that will make it easier for them to find a job.

To book a place at the registration day, phone the Wilberforce Trust on 01904 760037, email enquiry@wilberforcetrust.org.uk, or write to Rachel Lintott, rehabilitation services manager, Wilberforce Trust, 49 North Moor Road, Huntington YO32 9QN.

The Wilberforce Trust is a leading provider of high quality care, support and training services for people with visual impairments and other disabilities.

• North Yorkshire and York blind and partially sighted children aged between eight and 16 will make a splash at Whitby Swimming Pool on March 3 and April 7 when they take part in Swim Into Action.

Specially-trained instructors will help the children develop their water skills, increase their pool confidence and meet other people with sight loss at the event organised by Action For Blind People working with the Amateur Swimming Association and the Swimming Trust.

For more details, email james.carey@actionforblindpeople.org.uk or phone 0113 386 2800.