My Sighted Guide

“I really care about making a difference – it is brilliant to be a part of watching someone else go on to achieve something with encouragement” - Joe, My Sighted Guide volunteer

What you’ll be doing

We rely on volunteers like you to help us improve the lives of people with sight loss. In this role your support will include:

·     Delivering sighted guide assistance, using skills provided in our training, on a regular basis to someone with a visual or vision impairment to help increase their confidence, varying from 3 months to 12+ months.

·     Meeting at agreed times/location based on the mutually agreed activity plan.

·     Maintaining professional boundaries and adhering to safeguarding procedures.

·     Providing regular feedback on partnership progress and highlighting any issues that may arise in the partnership to your key contact.

You’ll have

Ideally you will:

·     Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to use them when support is required.

·     Be patient and flexible.

·     Act in a non-judgemental way, without discrimination.

·     Have the physical ability to guide someone with a visual impairment.

If you don’t feel you tick every box but are sure this role is the one for you, please drop us a message and tell us why. We’re open to suggestions and happy to chat with you to find out what’s possible!

You’ll get

Volunteering is a two-way street, so in return for your time you will get a dedicated key contact who will help you settle in and support you during your time with us. You’ll also get to:

·     Make a life-changing difference to someone in need in your community.

·     Gain skills and experience whilst doing an activity that you enjoy.

·     Meet new people within your community and across Guide Dogs.

·     Increase the independence, dignity and wellbeing of people living with sight loss through the delivery of the My Sighted Guide service.

Training and support

This role has the equivalent of 2 days of training, which can be flexible around your requirements, and then you’ll be ready to go! These modules include:

·     Sighted Guide training.

·     Guide Dogs safeguarding training

If you have questions about the training requirements, we can answer these at your interview along with any other support or accessibility needs you may have.

Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any expenses related to your volunteering with us in line with our policy.

What we need from you

Criminal Disclosure check necessary? Yes, this role requires that you have an Enhanced Disclosure check (PVG in Scotland).

We are working hard to make sure anyone who wants to can volunteer for Guide Dogs, but at the moment we have a minimum age of 18 for this particular role.