Inspiring People Page 2

Today (5 November) we are celebrating International Volunteer Managers Day 2024, a day dedicated to recognising the work volunteer managers do to support and mobilise the world’s volunteers.

Jon Attenborough and his guide dog Sam made history recently, with Sam becoming the first dog to visit all 42 Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) stadiums.

Following new research which found “DINKWADs” - dual income, no kids, with a dog - now make up 15% of dog owners in the UK, Guide Dogs is looking for volunteers to help raise future guide dogs and play a vital role in supporting people with sight loss.

Our volunteers are a vital part of what we do, and what better time to celebrate that than during Volunteers’ Week. Volunteer Tracy has been an active part of the Guide Dogs family since 2018, when she decided to get involved after the sudden passing of her husband. Recently, Tracy and her daughter Jess decided to take on a voyage that would link these aspects of her life together.

Jack aged 27, is living with an eye condition called Optic Atrophy. Jack describes his condition as like having tunnel vision through a small pin hole and he does not have any peripheral vision.

Guide Dogs provided support to Jack though their Vision Rehabilitation Service.

Being a Guide Dogs volunteer means being part of a community, no matter who you are, where you come from, or what you do. Guide Dogs volunteers are united in making a difference to people with sight loss, but that doesn’t mean volunteering is one size fits all. Our volunteers are a unique bunch with different interests, motivations, hobbies and inspirations – so here are just a few reasons to join our community.

We are extremely excited to share that Guide Dogs has been chosen to feature in the BBC’s first Lifeline Appeal of the year! Lifeline aims to provide an opportunity for raising money and awareness to a variety of charities via a televised appeal.

We’ve got a fantastic range of jobs - more than 400 roles - at Guide Dogs. So this week, asking Daniel Brant, CustomEyes Design Officer, all about his exciting role and how he helps connect children with the magic of reading.