Could you help a blind or partially sighted adult?
The charity Guide Dogs in London is currently looking for life changing volunteers in Wandsworth and the surrounding area to help people with sight loss get out of their homes, reducing their isolation and enabling them to become more mobile and confident.
The initiative is part of Guide Dogs ‘My Guide’ scheme, which matches blind and partially sighted people with a volunteer to get out and about two-three hours per week. There are eleven adults currently waiting for volunteer guides in the Wandsworth area to enable them to get out and about, and to get more out of life.
Rebecca Harper, My Guide Volunteering Officer, said, “Our volunteers spend a few hours a week guiding their vision impaired partner on trips in their local area to achieve their agreed goals. Journeys could be to the shops, to a café or maybe a sports event or any other activity that their partner wants to achieve. The volunteer will also help them to establish lasting relationships with community members who can, in turn, help them get out more. Becoming a sighted guide really allows a volunteer to see the life changing impact they are making week to week.”
A My Guide recipient in London said, “This service has given me the confidence that I can get out of my home, maybe not straight away, but in time it has given me the confidence to face my other problems. Interestingly, I used to be in hospital every three months but I just haven’t been recently - thanks to getting out and a very positive attitude. The confidence that I can get out of my home has just transformed my life.”
Anyone can become a My Guide volunteer, as long as they are over eighteen and able to commit to a minimum of two-three hours per week. Guide Dogs will provide all of the training necessary, and volunteers will need to agree to a Disclosure and Barring service check.
For further information on volunteering or to find out more about the scheme, please contact Rebecca Harper at Rebecca.Harper@guidedogs.org.uk or call 01189838750.
May 8, 2016