The Evening Times ran an article about figures in a new report showing that women from Lanarkshire experience higher-than-average rates of stillbirth and neonatal deaths than other parts of Scotland. The region recorded the second-highest rate in Scotland with 6.42 deaths per 1,000 births. However it is worth noting that the figure of 7,096 Lanarkshire resident […]
Become A ‘My Guide’ Volunteer and Venture Out
Airdrie Locality Support Services in partnership with Guide Dogs are involved in a Test for Change to encourage blind and partially sighted people resident in the Airdrie area to get out and about, engage in their local community and increase their activity levels with the help of sighted volunteers.
Airdrie Locality Rehabilitation Officer, Alex Campbell, said
“For some visually impaired people the notion of getting around outdoors independently can be daunting. ‘My Guide’ volunteers will provide sighted assistance to enable blind and partially sighted people to walk to and participate in, leisure or community activities once per week. My role in the Test for Change is to assist participants to gain skills to promote independent travel, increase confidence and self-esteem”.
The Test for Change aims to:
- Link blind and partially sighted individuals with ‘My Guide’ volunteers as a first step towards getting out and about independently.
- Enable blind and partially sighted people to participate in leisure or community activities once per week, for 12 weeks, with assistance from a ‘My Guide’ volunteer.
- Encourage uptake of Mobility Training by blind and partially sighted people to enhance self-confidence and independent travel.
We are seeking ‘My Guide’ Volunteers to:
- Provide Sighted Guide assistance to a blind or partially-sighted person to walk from and to their home and a local leisure or community activity, once per week for 12 weeks
- Once at the leisure or community venue, if required, accompany the person and participate with them in their chosen activity
Volunteers will be offered:
- Sighted Guide and safeguarding awareness training
- A free NL Leisure Pass enabling 12 weeks unlimited access to your local Leisure Centre
- Travel and out of pocket expenses
John who has been matched with a ‘My Guide’ volunteer elsewhere said:
“’My Guide’ is such a great idea it would be great to have more volunteers to help other local people waiting for support.”
For more information please contact
Sheena MacKinnon, My Guide Ambassador at: sheena.mackinnon@guidedogs.org.uk or Tel: 07785 433227 or 0118 983 8123
Comments are closed.