Andrea's Story

Our teenage years can be incredibly exciting and full of adventure, but they can be daunting too. You’re standing on the brink of adulthood, keen to find your place in the world, hoping your dreams will come true.

Now imagine being blind or partially sighted

Andrea Cooper knows first-hand how distressing it is to feel isolated by a visual impairment. Andrea was one of the first young people to get involved in a pilot scheme we set up for children under 16. At just 15, she became one of the youngest guide dog owners ever.

There are 20,000 blind and partially sighted young people under 17 in the UK, who lack the crucial skills that would allow them to become more independent. A guide dog could transform their lives. But we have a huge undertaking ahead of us, and we’re going to need your help.