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One of my best friends once said to me that “there is no point getting old if you don’t get clever”, and she was right. But I think what she was really trying to say was, as you get older and things become difficult to do, you find other solutions or coping strategies. Here are my tips for somebody who may have had a recent diagnosis of a visual impairment, and some easy strategies and suggestions to deal with everyday barriers. Most of these strategies involve technology, but of course, some are just simple tips.

Guide Dogs is encouraging Fosterers to come forward as new research reveals nearly half (45%) of non-dog owners would like to own a dog, but only 4% could commit to full-time care due to work commitments.

The Guide Dogs Cymru team decided it would be a fitting tribute to name a guide dog puppy in memory of Cardiff volunteer Mike, by climbing Pen y Fan, the highest mountain in South Wales.

Global Accessibility Awareness Day (18 May 2023) launched in 2012 to shine a spotlight on digital accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. The GAAD Foundation was formed in 2021, celebrating a decade of GAAD. Their mission is to ensure everyone has the same access to and experience of web-based services, content, and other digital products.

The International Guide Dog Federation (IDGF) comprises of 95 organisations from all around the globe, all working to uphold standards of excellence in the breeding, raising, training and partnering of guide dogs. The IGDF’s biennial conference gives different guide dog schools the chance to come together in one place for a week of communication and collaboration. This year, I and other members of Guide Dogs staff were able to join our international colleagues in Vancouver, Canada.

Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh joined volunteers at a Guide Dogs puppy class as part of The Big Help Out.

We are hosting welcome events all around the UK to give those new to volunteering a taster of what it’s like to be a member of the Guide Dogs family, from Fosterers to Fundraisers and more. You, your family, and friends are all welcome to join us.

We want to increase awareness of the impact sight loss has and give people a new, exciting way to support us and get involved in Guide Dogs life-changing work. Our team has been working behind the scenes to create Stream250, a week-long streaming festival with the aim of raising £14,000 – enough money to support 250 guide dog partnerships for one week!