Guide Dogs

Charity registered in Scotland SC038979

Our ambition is a future where every person with sight loss has the confidence and support they need to live their lives to the full.


Current opportunities

How would you like to be part of the Guide Dogs family and help people with sight loss live the life they choose? We would love to have you onboard to help with our ambition of a future where every person with sight loss has the confidence and support they need to live their lives to the full. Did you know that we don’t just provide life-changing guide dogs, we also provide advice, skills, emotional and practical support for children, adults and their families living with sight loss to help them live actively, independently and well? To do all this we need the support of amazing volunteers like you! If you would like more information, are unsure or need flexibility around the role then chat to us first by emailing VolunteerScotNI@Guidedogs.org.uk and someone will be in touch. What does the role involve? Assisting your local fundraising group in organising, promoting and taking part in a variety of activities to raise money for Guide Dogs. It costs £58,000 to support one single guide dog throughout it's life, so without our amazing Fundraisers raising money for us, we wouldn't be able to provide our life changing services! Main responsibilities: * Organise and facilitate fundraising events such as street collections, stalls at local fairs, tea parties, garden sales, sponsored events and anything else you can think of! * Attend group meetings * Take collection boxes to local businesses * Keeping track of what we sell on our stalls at events (including the cuddly toys!) * Count donations Please contact VolunteerScotNI@guidedogs.org.uk for more information.

How would you like to be part of the Guide Dogs family and help people with sight loss live the life they choose? We would love to have you onboard to help with our ambition of a future where every person with sight loss has the confidence and support they need to live their lives to the full. Did you know that we don’t just provide life-changing guide dogs, we also provide advice, skills, emotional and practical support for children, adults and their families living with sight loss to help them live actively, independently and well? To do all this we need the support of amazing volunteers like you! If you would like more information, are unsure or need flexibility around the role then chat to us first by emailing VolunteerScotNI@Guidedogs.org.uk and someone will be in touch. What does the role involve? Identifying suitable places and placing our iconic dog-shaped collection boxes locally in shops and businesses and counting up the funds every few months before paying them in to Guide Dogs. Key responsibilities: * Identifying and placing collecting boxes in suitable locations * Talking to the shop owner, receptionist etc at the location about how the boxes will help Guide Dogs and what we do * Emptying boxes every 3-6 months (as they get full) and banking the income through the paying in book provided. Give a receipt and letter of thanks to the hosts * Keeping a written record of the location of all boxes for your supervisor, the dates they are emptied and the dates/ amounts banked * If boxes aren’t collecting much, you’ll decide to move them to a better location. Your supervisor may also ask you to remove boxes * Reporting any stolen boxes to the local mobility team Please contact VolunteerScotNI@guidedogs.org.uk for more information.

You will be providing a puppy with a vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog. This is a full-time volunteering opportunity as a puppy will live with you in your home for around 12-16 months. It should be noted that although it is possible for another Puppy Raiser to look after a dog on your behalf for short periods of time that this may not always be possible. Consideration should be given to your future plans such as holidays abroad. “It’s so rewarding to know that the dog will go on to help people with sight loss gain independence and freedom.” – Chris, Puppy Raiser We rely on volunteers like you to help us improve the lives of people with sight loss. In this role your support will include:- • Developing, caring and providing for the needs of one of our puppies using Positive Reinforcement Techniques and following Guide Dogs Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP) programme • Familiarising a puppy to a wide range of environments including shops and outdoor off lead exercise areas in all climates and seasons. • Teaching a puppy it’s ok to be left alone by gradually building up from a few minutes to a maximum of 4 hours • Attending regular puppy classes • Regularly meeting with Guide Dogs representatives to discuss your pup’s development • Completing regular on-line questionnaires to help us monitor puppy progress Ideally you will: • Be able to handle large breed dogs (around 25-40kg) • Have access to a car on a weekly basis for training and vet visits • Have your own home or written permission to have a dog in the home • Have access to a secure area where the puppy could go to the toilet during the day, especially first thing in the morning and last thing at night • Be able to access online content and training materials (you will need your own email address) If you don’t feel you tick every box but are sure this role is the one for you, please drop us a message and tell us why. We’re open to suggestions and happy to chat with you to find out what’s possible! Volunteering is a two-way street, so in return for your time you will get; • A dedicated volunteer manager/key contact who will help you settle in and support you during your time with us. • The challenge and reward of seeing a puppy develop in your home. • The opportunity to learn and develop your understanding in dog body language, learning theory, the human animal bond and the life of a Guide Dog. Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any expenses related to your volunteering with us in line with our policy. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the role further before applying please email VolunteerScotNi@guidedogs.org.uk Thank you.

We rely on volunteers like you to help us improve the lives of people with sight loss. We have dogs at various ages and stages of their career who may need temporary accommodation and the need will be dependent on your location and circumstances. In this role your support will include: • Providing a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for a dog or puppy. • Ensuring the dog or puppy is fed, exercised, and cared for to maintain excellent health. • Using positive reinforcement training techniques to teach or maintain behaviours. • Ensuring the dog is not left alone for more than 4 hours in a 24-hour period. Foster volunteers who care for dogs in training need to drop off and collect their dog from a local regional centre. Times are normally Monday to Friday between 8 - 9am and 5 - 6pm however there are allowances. Dogs will stay with our staff in the centre during the day to complete training. In the evenings and at weekends volunteer dog fosterers will keep the dog at home. If you require any more information or would like to chat to someone about this role then please email VolunteerScotNI@Guidedogs.org.uk