My Guide volunteer role description
Main purpose of the role
To support, for a discrete period of time, a blind or partially sighted person, supporting safe negotiation of the environment, building confidence and developing links to the local community, whilst maintaining dignity and promoting independence.
Promoting social inclusion, and helping people become more involved in their local community, volunteers can encourage and support someone in a wide range of planned everyday activities. Theseinclude going for a coffee, visiting the shops, going to the leisure centre, joining a club or group, attending a sporting event or art and cultural activities. It also includes demonstrating the sighted guiding technique to friends and colleagues.
In this way, the volunteer will help blind or partially sighted people develop confidence and provide them with greater participation and inclusion opportunities.
Please note that this role requires that you undergo a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Enhanced Disclosure (or equivalent for devolved countries).
Main tasks
- Undertake training to become a My Guide volunteer
- Set a time-limited set of goals with a blind or partially-sighted person based on the aims of My Guide Dogs
- Develop a good relationship with a blind or partially sighted person, their friends and family and other volunteers that promotes independence and knowledge sharing
- Establish and adhere to appropriate social contact and personal boundaries
- Provide sighted guide support for set activities to meet the goals of the blind or partially sighted person
- Support referral or access to local services and facilities for blind and partially sighted people
- Demonstrate the sighted guiding technique to friends, colleagues and other interested people
- Provide feedback on progress and any issues that arise to the volunteer manager
What we ask of you
- To observe our policies and procedures, including confidentiality
- To work as part of a team with other volunteers and staff and to make new people welcome
- To undertake your role safely and effectively
- To undergo relevant training including My Guide training
- Honour dates and times committed to My Guide volunteering
- Act in a non-judgemental way, without discrimination
Our responsibility to you
- To provide training, advice, support, information and resources to enable you to undertake your role safely and effectively
- To observe our policies and procedures
- To work as a team with volunteers and staff and to make new people welcome
- To reimburse agreed out of pocket volunteer expenses