What training sessions do you offer groups?
We offer four different options for groups. From basic awareness, to practising sighted guiding techniques, to inhouse delivery there’s a range of sessions to meet your requirements. If they’re not quite what you’re looking for, please do get in touch with us.
We offer our Introduction to Sighted Guide Training exclusively to your organisation. In this one hour session, we'll cover:
- How to start a conversation when you meet someone who is blind or partially sighted, to ask if they need assistance.
- Basic guiding techniques for getting around obstacles, crossing roads and getting in and out of cars.
- An introduction to common eye conditions and their impact.
- Awareness of access rights and barriers to independence.
To book this training, email partners@guidedogs.org.uk. We can discuss face-to-face options upon request. If you are an individual looking to book this training, you can book a session using our online form.
If you’d like a bit more input, we can add on a demonstration of best practice techniques. As well as our Introduction to Sighted Guide Training content detailed above, the demonstration will cover:
- How to start and get going
- Walking along
- Narrow spaces or busy area
- Getting through doors
- Going up and down stairs
- Taking a seat
- Changing sides
- Guiding a person with a guide dog
Certificates will be provided on completion of this training. To book this training, email partners@guidedogs.org.uk.
If you would like hands-on experience of practicing sighted guiding techniques yourself, our in person practical session is for you. This three-hour session includes
- Myth busting
- Eye conditions
- Barriers to independence
- Emotional consequences
- Practical Sighted Guiding
- Access rights
This session will be tailored to the specific needs of your group or workplace. Certificates will be provided on completion of this training. Email our team to discuss which option best suits your group.
If you would like to deliver sighted guide training inhouse we also offer a ‘train-the-trainer’ model for organisations that are regularly onboarding large numbers of new volunteers or staff.
We’ll train your team to deliver our ‘Introduction to Sighted Guide Training’ and/ or our ‘Community and Sighted Guide Training’, to your own staff and volunteers.
This will enable you to become a certified Guide Dogs Sighted Guide Training Delivery Partner for two years, during which we’ll provide ongoing support and regular check-ins to ensure your approved trainers have everything they need to deliver the training.
Why is sighted guide training important?
Much like learning how to perform first aid, sighted guiding is a useful life skill. It will give your team confidence when they meet people who are blind or partially sighted, and the guiding techniques to help them if they need it. This is important for helping colleagues or members of the public when they're working or during their own time.
And you'll be helping us to transform public spaces in the UK so that they are welcoming for people with vision impairments.
We are on a mission to break down the barriers to science and that starts with our visitor experience at the Science Centre. We want to create an environment where everyone can join in and engage with our activities and the sighted guide training forms an integral part of this. Our staff really enjoyed learning the skills they need to become confident and empathetic sighted guides and they can’t wait to put it into practice.
Sign up for the Corporate and Community Sighted Guide Training
Let us know which training you'd like to sign your organisation up for by emailing our team, or if you’re not sure, please get in touch to discuss.
Frequently asked questions
Our sighted guiding courses don’t offer a formal qualification however, if you undertake our 2-hour or 3-hour in-person training you'll be issued with a certificate. Through our training you will gain the skills and confidence to guide a person with sight loss, whether that’s a friend or family member or a member of the public.
We have a range of sessions within our Community and Corporate Sighted Guide Training offering, including refresher training. Refresher training is not compulsory, but we do recommend you attend every two years to maintain your skills. Email our team to find out more.
