My Guide is a volunteer led project within Guide Dogs that aims to support communities in different ways. The localised model aims to support blind and vision impaired people to get out and about in their local community through support delivered by fully trained and vetted volunteers. And a real focus of working in such a local setting is to enable the service to support volunteers with varying profiles through training, supervision and support.
We recognise the need to provide a stewardship programme for volunteers that gives them an opportunity to gain experience, knowledge, skills and confidence whilst increasing the independence, dignity and wellbeing of people living with sight loss through the delivery of the My Guide service.
The hub and spoke model operates with small groups of volunteers in a specific geographical area that are supported by staff within the local team. The benefits of this are that volunteers and recipients of the service can access their local community and build networks through peer support.
At Guide Dogs we believe that independent mobility doesn’t just give you the ability to get from A to B. It opens up a world of possibility to the 70% of people who are blind and partially sighted that lack the confidence to join in everyday activities.
Lacking confidence and having to rely on the support of family and friends makes it harder to enter employment, to access healthcare and to enjoy a social life.
At Guide Dogs we’re here to make sure that, when someone loses their sight, they don’t lose their freedom as well.
Guide Dogs achieve this with a range of services:
Campaigning alongside people who are blind or partially sighted for the rights that most sighted people take for granted.
