My Guide. Changing Lives

180,000 blind and partially sighted people find it hard to go out alone. We want to change that.

The new My Guide scheme is a partnership between Guide Dogs and local blind societies, which helps people with sight loss get out of their homes and back into the community. My Guide aims to reduce the isolation that many people with sight loss experience, helping to rebuild their confidence and regain their independence.

How does it work?

  • Guide Dogs works in partnership with local organisations to engage with blind and partially sighted people
  • Guide Dogs supports local organisations to recruit and deliver VISION 2020 endorsed training for volunteers
  • Service users and CRB-checked My Guide volunteers are then matched
  • Service users and My Guide volunteers work in partnership for three to six months, setting clear goals together
  • During the partnership, My Guide volunteers regularly guide service users to social and leisure activities, e.g. the shops, a café, or even the local bingo
  • My Guide volunteers then train up members of the service user's community (e.g. family, friends, members of local clubs) to support their ongoing independence

Enjoying her hobby again: Lesley’s story


Lesley, 49, has been blind since birth. She had recently moved to a new area and had no knowledge of her local town, so was unable to get out and about. Lesley had previously been a keen rambler but now felt isolated and missed the independence she used to have.

Lesley heard about My Guide and got in touch. She was matched with Michael, a 36-year old volunteer, who guided her once a week for three months.  Michael helped Lesley get to know her local area and find out about the leisure and social groups available.

Both Lesley and Michael gained a huge amount from My Guide. As she became more familiar with her new location, Lesley’s confidence increased enormously, and, with the support of community sighted guides, she was able to enjoy her hobby again by joining in her local walking group.

Michael received training endorsed by VISION 2020 and learned new skills to enhance his CV. He also knows that by volunteering for My Guide he is helping to change the lives of blind and partially sighted people.