Guide Dogs Services
My Guide
My Guide is one of the services provided by Guide Dogs to support people with sight loss as they get out and about. There are three strands of the service:
My Guide Partnership
A My Guide Partnership matches a person who is blind or partially sighted with a trained volunteer. The volunteer guides the person who is blind or partially sighted so that they can reach their mobility goals - these could be things like being able to go to the gym, joining a local coffee group or just walking in the local park.
My Guide Assist
My Guide Assist provides basic training in safely guiding a person with sight loss. This training can be applied in a range of ways for example, in supporting a friend or family member with sight loss, guiding people you meet in the street who need assistance or helping at a specific event such as the Commonwealth Games.
Additionally, Guide Dogs work collaboratively with other organisations around the United Kingdom to provide the My Guide service. For more information on working with Guide Dogs see your organisation.
For more information:
Phone 0845 372 7499
email myguide@guidedogs.org.uk
My Guide Open for Business
My Guide Open for Business is a developing service working with businesses and not for profit organisations to provide specifically tailored accessibility training for their staff. This training enables staff to effectively and efficiently serve blind or partially sighted customers. My Guide Open for Business has already improved service in a range of organisations such as hospitals, transport companies, local authorities and supermarkets.
For more information on My Guide training for businesses contact Kerry Tweed by phone on 0118 983 0169 or email kerry.tweed@guidedogs.org.uk
A guide dog
If you are blind or partially sighted, a guide dog could change your life, and there's no need to think you'll never get one; because we're committed to providing this amazing opportunity to as many people as possible.
Age is no barrier
There's no upper age limit apply now. People in their seventies, eighties and nineties have become successful guide dog owners. They've recently removed the lower age limit for guide dog ownership and are now working with children and young people under the age of 16.
Guide dogs aren't just for the blind
You don't need to have lost all your sight, most people who own a guide dog still have some vision. You don't have to be officially registered as blind or partially-sighted either.
You don't need to worry about the cost of keeping a dog
Guide Dogs recognise that the costs of owning a guide dog may not be easy for everyone to manage. They provide all the essential equipment free of charge and they will provide you with financial assistance if needed, for things like food or veterinary costs.
All training is provided
No previous experience of keeping or caring for a dog is necessary. If you are committed and able enough to support and care for a guide dog, their training will teach you all you need to know.
- More on getting a guide dog (PDF download - 250kb)
- Listen to our audio guide (MP3 download - 3.9MB)