Community and Corporate Sighted Guide Training

Are you part of a group who could benefit from sighted guide training, delivered by Guide Dogs’ expert staff? We offer free training to businesses, community groups, universities and charities that provide services to the public.

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What training sessions do you offer groups?

We offer three different options for groups. From basic awareness, to practising sighted guiding techniques, 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 deliver our Introduction to Sighted Guide Training virtually just for your organisation, for a maximum of 24 participants. 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.

The emotional consequences of sight loss.

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. This two-hour session is delivered face-to-face, for a maximum of 24 participants. 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

To book this training, email partners@guidedogs.org.uk.
If you would like hands-on experience of practicing sighted guiding techniques yourself, our face-to-face, practical session is for you. This three-hour sessions covers:

Eye conditions

Challenges of vision impairment

Barriers to independence

Emotional consequences

Access rights

Customer story

Myth busting quiz

Sighted guiding techniques

Tips for helping people with a vision impairment

Guide Dog’s blindfold walk/challenge

Suggestions on guiding a person with a guide dog

Maximum 16 attendees per session, although we can accommodate larger numbers upon request.

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.

Corporate training session with Guide Dogs

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.

Ben Ward, Chief Executive of Winchester Science Centre

Sighted guide demonstration by two Guide Dog staff members

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.