My Sighted Guide Volunteer
Guide Dogs UK
| Name: | My Sighted Guide Volunteer |
| Organisation: | Guide Dogs UK |
| Location: | Upper Bristol Road, Milton, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, BS22 8DP |
| Type: |
Part Time
Any volunteer will be matched with a blind or partially sighted partner based on their joint availability.
|
Description
In this role you will support a person with sight loss to get out and about in their local community, building self-confidence, increasing social interaction, and promoting independence.
“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.
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.
Not sure this is the role for you?
Pop over to www.guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer and find
out what else we have available.
Request Organisation Contact Details
Organisation Description
Guide Dogs is a charity which provide a wide range of services to support blind and partially sighted people.
Our ambition is for a future where every person with sight loss has the confidence and support to live their lives to the full and we will not rest until people who are blind and partially sighted can enjoy the same freedom of movement as everyone else.
Every hour, another person in the UK loses their sight, if this was to happen to you, Guide Dogs is there to make sure you receive the help and support you need.
On a daily basis our work transforms the lives of many people, helping them to lead lives of independence and freedom and we wouldn’t be able to do this without the support and dedication of our incredible volunteers.
When
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thurs | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | |||||||
| Afternoon | |||||||
| Evening |
Cause / Interests
- Animals
Types of Activity
- Befriending and Buddying
- Local Events
Skills and Qualifications
Requirements
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-judgmental 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!
Benefits
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:
• Gain skills and experience whilst doing an activity that you enjoy.
• The opportunity to network with a variety of individuals at Guide Dogs.
• Increase the independence, dignity and well-being of people living with sight loss through the delivery of the My Sighted Guide service.
Additional/Specific Suitabilities
| Minimum Age: | 18 | |
| Maximum Age: | NA | |
| Disabled Access: | No | |
| Wheelchair Access: | No | |
| Expenses: | Will be reimbursed | |
| Restrictions: | No age limit however volunteer must be able to guide another person physically | |
| Induction: | Yes | |
| Insurance Cover: | Yes | |
| Special Needs: | NA | |
| Offer: | Yes | |
| Training: | Yes | |
| Other: | NA |
Recruitment Method
Application form, DBS Check, Interview, References