My Guide

Lead service provider/commissioner

Name:

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association

Type of knowledge

Type of knowledge:

Project evaluation

Type of evaluation:

Outcome evaluation

Prevention service description

A typical My Guide partnership meets on a regular basis and agrees on the scope and timing of activities based on the needs and motivations of the person with sight loss. This could involve simply getting out of the house and into the local community or working towards specific mobility goals such as route learning or improving fitness. Because volunteers are vetted and appropriately trained in sighted guiding techniques, service users are able to get out and about safely and on their own terms.

The My Guide service complements Guide Dogs’ other adult services. Some people may not want a guide dog, for example more elderly individuals without the energy to walk and take care of a dog, and in these instances the My Guide service can be an appropriate solution to supporting individuals to learn strategies to improve their mobility independently. For individuals who already have a guide dog, the service can help both the individual with sight loss and the guide dog to become familiar with new routes or routines. Having a sighted volunteer guide can give people the confidence to explore new areas with the volunteer giving them information about their surroundings.

Intervention/service type:

Befriending, mentoring and peer support; Community services; Low-level support

Target client group(s):

Older people; Adults with long-term health conditions; Vulnerable adults