New Scheme Launched By Guide Dogs To Help People With Sight Loss

A new service, East Riding My Guide Service being offered by the charity Guide Dogs For The Blind was launched at a special event.

Organised by the Health Trust, Local Government Staff and representatives from community based partner organisations, it help people understand the value that My Guide can bring to those from our community living with sight loss resulting social isolation.

Suzanne Allott, My Guide Ambassador for Guide Dogs said;

“The scheme will help to change the lives of people who have become isolated because of their sight loss.”

“Volunteering to become a sighted guide is a valuable skill for individuals and it’s a tangible way of making a difference to a blind or partially sighted person’s life today.”

“Guide Dogs recognises that dogs are not the solution for everyone. My Guide is a life changing scheme for the visually impaired. Losing your sight is an extremely difficult experience that leaves many people feeling isolated and alone.”

“If you or a family member need help taking the first steps back on the road to independence, then please do get in touch.”

Nationally there are over 180,000 visually impaired people socially isolated due to their disability, our new service will bring independence to blind and partially sighted people in the East Riding.

The pilot My Guide service, which is supported by East Riding of Yorkshire Council through a Connecting Communities grant, will help people with sight loss get out of their homes and regain their confidence and independence.

The scheme matches blind and partially sighted people with a trained volunteer who will spend a few hours a week, guiding their partner on trips out to activities that the pair will agree at the start of their relationship.

Journeys could be to the shops, to a café or maybe a sports event or any other activity the blind or partially sighted person wants to take part in.

Guide Dogs is actively recruiting volunteers who want to make a real difference to the lives of visually impaired people in Hull and East Riding, by spending a few hours a week helping blind or partially sighted people get back into the community.

Anybody who feels that they could benefit from this scheme or have friends or family that might be interested should contact Guide Dogs to find out more about taking those first vital steps to changing their life.

To find out more about the scheme or becoming a volunteer please contact Guide Dogs on 0118 983 8753.