Guide Dogs North West

Guide Dogs North West Guide Dogs NW covering the Regional Centre, Atherton and Community Centres, Liverpool and Shrewsbury.

Covering Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Cheshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire and Isle of Man

Are you interested in learning how to guide someone with sight loss? Our training can teach you how to guide adults safe...
02/09/2026

Are you interested in learning how to guide someone with sight loss? Our training can teach you how to guide adults safely, with confidence, skill and empathy.

We offer a range of sighted guide training options, depending on whether you want to learn a new skill, support a family or friend, or support someone through work or in the community.

Nearly 50% of people with a vision impairment say they can feel isolated and cut off from the people and places around them. You can help change that by learning a simple skill.

Find out more 👉 www.guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/sighted-guide-training/

[Image description: a woman is taking part in a sighted guiding training session, and is wearing a Guide Dogs branded eye mask, listening to headphone in a museum. Another woman is smiling behind her.]

We’re hiring! 📣We’re looking for a qualified Vision Rehabilitation Specialist to join our team in Atherton, supporting p...
30/08/2026

We’re hiring! 📣

We’re looking for a qualified Vision Rehabilitation Specialist to join our team in Atherton, supporting people with sight loss across Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria.

In this rewarding role, you’ll build trusted relationships with people living with sight loss and work with them to understand their individual goals and support needs. You’ll carry out holistic assessments and deliver tailored rehabilitation and training programmes, helping people develop their mobility, confidence, independence and everyday living skills.

You’ll also support people to use assistive technology and specialist equipment, and work closely with colleagues, partner organisations and local services to help each person achieve the outcomes that matter to them.

We’re looking for someone who is qualified as a Mobility Instructor or Rehabilitation Worker and has experience of working with people who are blind or partially sighted.

The role is:

• Permanent
• 35 hours per week
• £34,805–£38,388 per year, plus excellent benefits
• Based in Atherton, with regular travel across the region

Applications close on 13 September.

Find out more and apply: https://bit.ly/4qEXSih

Please share with anyone who might be interested 💛

[Visual description: Two people are walking side by side in a hallway at a Guide Dogs office, smiling. One person is using a long cane. A wall features a large, circular image of a person with a quote about meaningful work.]

Thank you for volunteering with us for 21 years, Tom 💛 Tom has been an exceptional and dedicated volunteer, making a las...
28/08/2026

Thank you for volunteering with us for 21 years, Tom 💛

Tom has been an exceptional and dedicated volunteer, making a lasting contribution to Guide Dogs through his roles as both a Volunteer Driver and Equipment Coordinator.

Tom is one of those unsung heroes whose impact is felt across the organisation. His dedication, generosity, and positive attitude have made an immeasurable difference over the past 21 years.

Thank you, Tom, for everything you have done; your contribution is truly appreciated 🌟

[Image description: Tom is stood in front of a Guide Dogs pull up banner, holding his Royal Patron Award during the 2025 Volunteer Awards.]

Congratulations to RL Hughes Primary School and Nursery, Ashton-In-Makerfield in Wigan, who have won a national Guide Do...
26/08/2026

Congratulations to RL Hughes Primary School and Nursery, Ashton-In-Makerfield in Wigan, who have won a national Guide Dogs prize draw 🥳

The school earned entry into the exclusive draw after raising £530 through the Guide Dogs Puppy Appeal, and get a visit from the Guide Dogs Demonstration Team this coming academic year.

The Demonstration Team showcases the skills of guide dogs through engaging live demonstrations, helping audiences learn more about the journey from puppy to guide dog and the life-changing support Guide Dogs provides for people with sight loss.

Thank you to the school and pupils for supporting Guide Dogs!

[Image description: a yellow Labrador x Golden Retriever is lying on the floor wearing a Guide Dogs 'Demonstration Dog' bib.]

Huge good luck to Steven, who is running the Great North Run next month!Steven, from Carlisle, was partnered with his fi...
24/08/2026

Huge good luck to Steven, who is running the Great North Run next month!

Steven, from Carlisle, was partnered with his first guide dog Mason in June after suddenly and unexpectedly losing his sight three years ago.

Steven, who has recently celebrated his 40th birthday, said: "Mason has already transformed my independence, boosted my confidence, and brightened every day. He has also fitted straight in with my family life, especially with my 7-year old daughter. I'm so grateful to Guide Dogs".

Steven will be running the 13.1 mile distance with a sighted guide, Craig, who is the Dad to one of Steven's little girls' friends. We wish them both the best of luck!

You can support Steven by donating to his fundraising page: https://ajbellgreatnorthrun2026.enthuse.com/pf/steven-lawson

[Image description: Steven is stood in a sunny garden smiling with Mason, a yellow Labrador x Golden Retriever, sat at his side.]

Who is taking part in the 2027 London Marathon for Guide Dogs? We'd love to hear from you 👋 Tell us how you came to choo...
21/08/2026

Who is taking part in the 2027 London Marathon for Guide Dogs?

We'd love to hear from you 👋

Tell us how you came to choose Guide Dogs as your charity to support, and what you're doing to help reach your fundraising target. Comment below 👇

[Image description: A runner wearing a Guide Dogs vest is running away from the camera, with his arms in the air.]

Sam was just 10-years old when he was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa. While he and his family were figuring out how...
19/08/2026

Sam was just 10-years old when he was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa. While he and his family were figuring out how to navigate his sight loss, they reached out to Guide Dogs – and along came Georgie.

Georgie was Sam’s buddy dog – a companion, a source of confidence, comfort and friendship. She brought joy to the whole family and helped Sam feel more independent and connected to the world around him.

Sadly Georgie lost her battle to cancer in May. Sam’s brother, Louis, has decided to take on a six-peak hiking challenge in memory of Georgie, and to raise money for Guide Dogs.

Over three days Louis will cover 65km on foot and climb 5,500 metres - the equivalent of Everest Basecamp – tackling Ben Nevis, Aonach Mor, Scafell Pike, Helvellyn, Yr Wyddfa, and Tryfan.

Louis said: “Georgie has left a huge hole in our hearts and daily life, but we will always be grateful for the love, support and happiness she brought.

“In loving memory of Georgie – our loyal friend and much-loved family member. Every step I take on this challenge will be for Georgie”.

You can support Louis' efforts by donating to his Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/louis-schofield-1

[Image description: A boy is crouching next to Georgie, giving her a head scratch. Georgie (yellow Labrador x Golden Retriever) is sitting and enjoying the scratch.]

After a few years of being Guide Dog Trainers, Georgie and Emily from our Shrewsbury team are now Academy Guide Dog Mobi...
17/08/2026

After a few years of being Guide Dog Trainers, Georgie and Emily from our Shrewsbury team are now Academy Guide Dog Mobility Specialists, and recently celebrated their first partnerships!

They started their very first class in June, and created two partnerships each.

Congratulations for all your hard work. Georgie and Emily! And huge congrats to Colin, Yvonne, Gary and Nic with your new guide dogs - we're wishing you all the best on your new adventures together 🐾

[Image description: the group are stood together outside the Shrewsbury office. From Left to right is Georgia (AGDMS), Colin and guide dog Aaron, Yvonne and guide dog Manny, Gary and guide dog Spider, Emily (AGDMS), Nic and guide dog Blair. All the dogs are wearing their Guide Dogs harnesses.]

Our team in Liverpool recently took part in an insightful shadowing and knowledge-sharing exchange with our local NHS Na...
15/08/2026

Our team in Liverpool recently took part in an insightful shadowing and knowledge-sharing exchange with our local NHS National Artificial Eye Service.

Several team members visited the Liverpool artificial eye clinic, where they shadowed patient appointments and learned more about the fascinating work of the service.

In return, our team welcomed three Orbital Prosthetists to the Liverpool Guide Dogs centre, giving them an introduction to our services and teaching them sighted guiding techniques.

It was a thought-provoking and informative experience for everyone involved.

[Visual descriptions: Image one shows a group shot of Guide Dogs Vision Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS) Gemma, Orbital Prosthetist Melissa, Orbital Prosthetist Emma, Guide Dogs VRS Tony, Senior Orbital Prosthetist Stuart and trainee Guide Dogs VRS Olivia. The three Orbital Prosthetists are standing with long canes and the group are standing in front of a Guide Dogs branded vehicle. Image two shows Senior Orbital Prosthetist, Stuart sitting next to guide dog in training Blaze (yellow Labrador) whilst Blaze demonstrates a chin rest on a chair. Image three shows Orbital Prosthetist, Emma with Guide Dogs VRS Gemma standing in the artificial eye clinic surrounded by equipment. Image four shows the back of Gemma, Guide Dogs VRS, being shown the various artificial eyes by Orbital Prosthetist, Emma. Image five shows Orbital Prosthetist Emma learning how to guide Guide Dogs VRS Gemma.]

Address

Guide Dogs North West Regional Centre
Atherton
M460SU

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+448007811444

Website

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