Who are Guide Dogs?
Guide Dogs exists to provide life-changing services to children and adults who are blind or partially sighted using a person-centred approach. They work with individuals to identify what they want to achieve and promote their independence and to support their friends and families.
Through a network of local teams, Guide Dogs provide the following services:
- The guide dog service - provides the means to get out and about safely and confidently using one of their highly trained guide dogs. This service is potentially available to any adult, child or young person with a visual impairment who meets their criteria
- My Sighted Guide – connects people with a trained, local volunteer to get out and do more of the things they love. They can also provide sighted guiding training for family and friends
- My Life Skills (adults) - Guide Dogs' experts will work with adults with sight loss to develop a package of support that's just right for them. Helping them to navigate the wealth of information and advice that Guide Dogs offers and recommend other services and organisations
- My Life Skills (children and young people) - helps children and young people navigate the world around them, thereby building their confidence and independence
- My Time to Play - fun and supportive online and face-to-face sessions to help children aged 0 - 4 develop through play. The sessions also help parents to connect with other families
- Buddy dogs - friendly, well behaved dogs that have been given a career change as life as a guide dogs wasn't quite right for them. Buddy dogs help children and young people build confidence in themselves and trust in their surroundings and can have a hugely positive effect on the whole family’s wellbeing
- Custom Eyes books - a service for anyone aged 0 - 25 with a vision impairment, or dyslexia. The books are available at everyday prices, produced in large print and tailor made to suit an individuals eye condition
- Family events - enable children and their families to meet, share experiences and have fun in a relaxed environment, while accessing expert advice from their children's specialists
- Technology skills - ensure people who are blind or partially sighted have access to the information they need to help them live independent lives
- Influencing and campaigning - by working with public bodies to help shape a fully accessible and inclusive society
- Information and advice - including grants for sensory equipment and technology; family support and education support.
Further information can be found on Guide Dogs website.
