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  1. Home >
  2. How you can help >
  3. Volunteering for Guide Dogs >
  4. Volunteer role descriptions >
  5. Driver >

    • Transporting our clients, dogs and equipment in your own vehicle or Guide Dogs’ vehicles
    • Ensuring you and your vehicle are safe and legally roadworthy
    • Following Guide Dogs' guidelines for transporting dogs
    • Ensuring that you have any additional equipment necessary to fulfil your role and that it is in working order
    • When driving Guide Dogs’ vehicles:
      • Ensuring on collection and when you return it, that it is clean, tidy, fully fuelled and roadworthy; if it is not, report this immediately to your supervisor
      • Reporting any visible damage before or after journey
      • Complete any necessary paperworkDepending on your experience, at some locations you may have the opportunity to drive trailers or train to drive our large exhibition units
    • A lot of driving is within 30 minutes of your home. Journeys may be longer depending on what or who you are accompanying - for example some journeys with dogs can go across the country
    • Good communications and interpersonal skills
    • Like working with dogs
    • A clean driving licence is preferred, although minor driving convictions may not necessarily preclude a person from volunteering. Each case will be taken on its merits - please contact Guide Dogs for more information
    • All drivers, whether using Guide Dogs’ vehicles or their own for volunteering, will be expected to comply with the charity’s driver license check process
    • You will need to make your motor insurer aware you are volunteering as a driver for Guide Dogs, if using your own vehicle. Guide Dogs can provide insurers with further details upon request 
    • Driving the exhibition unit will need confidence in driving large vehicles
    • Directly and indirectly enable blind and partially-sighted people to enjoy the same freedom of movement as everyone else
    • Basic induction to Guide Dogs and to the role
    • Sighted Guide training
    • Equipment training if required e.g. Exhibition unit (0.5 day course)
    • Manual handling training
    • Regular and ongoing advice and support from Guide Dogs
    • Payment of out of pocket expenses agreed in advance
    • Yes, this role requires that you have an Enhanced Disclosure. You will also need to attend a safeguarding induction and awareness day
    • 18 years
In this section
How you can help
Volunteering for Guide Dogs
Volunteer role descriptions
  • Puppy Raiser (formerly called a Puppy Walker)
  • Sighted guide
  • Fundraiser
  • Fosterer (formerly called a Boarder)
  • Breeding Dog Holder - Brood (formerly called a Brood Bitch Holder)
  • Breeding Dog Holder - Stud (formerly called a Stud Dog Holder)
  • Admin support
  • Reception support
  • Fundraising Group Treasurer
  • Collection Box Coordinator
  • Speaker
  • Driver
  • Events day assistant
  • Student volunteers
  • Fundraising Co-ordinator

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