Guide Dogs UK

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Guide Dogs UK Guide Dogs is the UK's leading sight loss charity. We couldn’t continue our vital work without your help. Children and adults. Friends and family. Live well.

Our expert staff, volunteers and life-changing guide dogs help people with sight loss live the life they choose. We’re here to help people with sight loss live the life they choose. Whoever you are, our expert staff, volunteers and life-changing dogs are here to help you:

Live actively. Our people and dogs can help you get out and about with confidence, going wherever school, work, or play takes you – and knowing that your sight loss won’t hold you back. Live independently. The advice and skills we provide will give you the freedom to live life on your own terms, in your own way, so that you can achieve your hopes and ambitions, and do all the things that make you… you. Our experience and understanding can help you through the emotional challenges of sight loss as well as the practical ones, introducing you to an inspiring community of people with similar experiences and giving you the support you need to be your best self. We have an amazing community of more than 17,000 volunteers across the UK. We’re also almost entirely reliant on donations to continue our life-changing work. There are many different ways you can support us, find out more at guidedogs.org.uk. Please read our Privacy Policy here: guidedogs.org.uk/privacy-policy

Small actions can make a big difference to someone’s journey. 💛For many blind and partially sighted people, a white cane...
15/10/2026

Small actions can make a big difference to someone’s journey. 💛

For many blind and partially sighted people, a white cane is an essential mobility aid, helping them get around safely, confidently and independently. But obstacles like overhanging hedges, cluttered pavements and chairs left out can make everyday journeys more difficult.

This White Cane Awareness Day, we’re sharing a few simple ways we can all help make public spaces safer and more accessible.

[Visual Description: A dark blue and yellow graphic with the heading “See the cane? Make some space.” Below are four dark blue illustrations with text next to each one. A person with a white cane with the text “Give white cane users room”. An A-board sign with the text “Keep pavements clear”. A chair and table with the text “Tuck chairs in”. A pair of secateurs with the text “Trim overhanging hedges”. At the bottom, text reads “Be mindful, be considerate – make space for everyone to move with confidence.”]

Every partnership has a story 💛Thanks to the incredible support of Postcode Lottery UK players, who have raised an amazi...
14/10/2026

Every partnership has a story 💛

Thanks to the incredible support of Postcode Lottery UK players, who have raised an amazing £12.9 million for Guide Dogs since 2018, we’re helping more people with sight loss experience greater confidence, independence and freedom!

Meet Charlotte and Percy, one of the life-changing partnerships made possible by this support.

Together, we’re changing lives, one partnership at a time. Find out more: https://bit.ly/4zrGfW7

[Image description: two images: Image one shows guide dog owner, Charlotte, walking along a pavement towards the camera with her guide dog, Percy, in harness walking beside her. Image two shows guide dog owner, Charlotte, crouched down on a pavement, stroking her guide dog, Percy, who is sat down next to her in his harness.]

Did you know? The UK's first guide dog partnership qualified 95 years ago this October. Since then, we have helped trans...
13/10/2026

Did you know? The UK's first guide dog partnership qualified 95 years ago this October. Since then, we have helped transform the lives of thousands of people, through a range of services.

From early intervention for children with sight loss, to helping adults with life skills and getting back to the lives they love, our services are life changing. We’re a partner for life - providing joined-up, personalised, practical and emotional support for people with sight loss, at every age and stage of their lives.

Every day, 250 people in the UK start to lose their sight. With the number of people living with sight loss in the UK set to double by 2050 the need for our services is growing. By leaving a gift in your Will to Guide Dogs, you can help us provide vital support for generations to come 💛

Visit our website to find out more about gifts in Wills 👉 https://bit.ly/3TVpHH6

[Visual description: a black and white photo of the first four guide dog owners standing outside with their German shepherd guide dogs].

12/10/2026

You don't have to see the catwalk to walk it!

First times can be nerve-wracking, but they can also be unforgettable. And having a vision impairment doesn't mean missing out on trying something new, taking on a challenge or stepping into the spotlight.

Tilly Dowler recently walked the catwalk at Manchester Fashion Week with her long cane, and showed the world that people with sight loss can do anything!

[Visual Description: Tilly Dowler, AKA The Blind Stylist, and Claire Sisk stand outside a boutique clothing shop called Rhubarb. Inside the shop, the two discuss Tilly walking the Manchester Fashion Week catwalk. As they talk, a clip of her in a green poncho made out of the sunflower lanyard and a cream skirt, walking down the catwalk with her cane, is shown. The video ends with Tilly and Claire laughing in the shop.]

11/10/2026

At the TechABreak conference, our Tech Champion Tommy takes a closer look at the MakeSense Vector.

Designed to help people with a vision impairment navigate their surroundings, the wearable device uses gentle pulses to guide the user to their destination.

Watch as Tommy explains how it works, and see it in action as our service users put the technology to the test.

[Visual Description: Tommy speaks to camera. As he talks, clips of service users interacting with the MakeSense Vector. The device is placed around a users neck, and then a close up shot of someone touching the inside of the device to feel the pulses on their fingertips is shown. A service user turns from left to right, to orientate themselves and use the Vector. The service user then tests the product whilst also using a long cane. He walks with the cane in his hand, and the Vector around his neck. The video ends with Tommy talking to the camera again.]

40 years of Guide Dogs in Wales! 🐾 Last month marked 40 years since the first guide dog training centre in Wales opened ...
09/10/2026

40 years of Guide Dogs in Wales! 🐾

Last month marked 40 years since the first guide dog training centre in Wales opened at Trevillian House in Cardiff, bringing training much closer to home for people across South and West Wales.

Since then, around 1,000 Welsh guide dog partnerships have been created, and the number of dogs in training in Cardiff has grown sixfold!

To celebrate, our fantastic fundraising groups have helped place 40 new life-sized collecting boxes across Wales, with support from HMP Swansea and Castell Howell.

We also gathered in Cardiff to celebrate four decades of achievements and look forward to many more Welsh successes ahead 💙

[Visual descriptions: Image one shows guide dog in training Rebel (golden retriever cross Labrador) at our Cardiff site, looking straight to camera with happy expression. Rebel is wearing a Guide Dogs branded navy blue bandana. Image two shows Puppy Development Supervisor Mel cutting a celebratory 40th anniversary cake at our celebratory event. Image three shows Swansea guide dog owner Izzy with guide dog Souly (white standard poodle cross Labrador) Image four shows guide dog in training Emily (golden retriever cross Labrador) outside Caerphilly Castle. Image five shows a group photo of staff, volunteers, and dogs at our Wales volunteer awards. Image six shows volunteers from our Wrexham fundraising group manning a Guide Dogs branded stand at a local event. Image seven shows volunteers from our Caerphilly fundraising group inside a supermarket next to a Guide Dogs branded information stand. Image eight shows Cardiff guide dog partnership Trish and Kizzy. Guide dog Kizzy is a black Labrador cross golden retriever.]

09/10/2026

“I never really understood how dogs can be companions until I was matched with Yarren. The confidence and reassurance he gives me is amazing." Lorna.

Head behind the scenes with us during the filming of our latest TV ad as we catch up with Lorna, who stars in our ad, and hear more about her story 💛

For most of her life, Lorna tried to ignore her sight loss. Growing up, she was determined not to be different, choosing to ‘muddle through’ rather than ask for support. But becoming a mum to two little boys, one of whom also has a vision impairment, changed everything. Lorna realised she didn’t want to hide her disability anymore. She wanted to feel confident and independent, and able to enjoy life with her children.

In 2020, Lorna was partnered with her first guide dog, Yarren. Today, Lorna says the support she received from Guide Dogs has helped her become the mum she always wanted to be - confident to get out and about, try new things and enjoy life with her family.

Nearly two out of three guide dogs are only here thanks to gifts in Wills. Leaving a gift in your Will to Guide Dogs helps create a future where more life-changing firsts are possible for people with sight loss. Visit our website to find out more about gifts in Wills 👉 https://bit.ly/4hr6aY7

[Visual description: video starts with behind the scenes clips of Lorna smiling and talking on set during the filming of our latest TV ad, and Lorna standing outside talking to the camera. The video then cuts to Sophie, a Guide Dogs Senior Vision Rehabilitation Specialist standing outside talking to the camera whilst behind the scenes clips from the filming are shown including Lorna sitting inside smiling and talking to a Guide Dogs member of staff, a clapperboard, and Lorna's scene in the TV ad showing her saying goodbye to her partner and leaving the house with her guide dog for work. Lorna then speaks to the camera whilst clips of Lorna are shown walking outside with her guide dog (yellow Labrador x golden retriever)].

Blindness doesn’t always mean complete darkness…Many people who are blind still have some vision. Sight loss is a spectr...
08/10/2026

Blindness doesn’t always mean complete darkness…

Many people who are blind still have some vision. Sight loss is a spectrum, and no two people will experience it in exactly the same way. Even people with the same eye condition can see the world differently.

This World Sight Day, we want to challenge assumptions about blindness and shine a light on the many ways people experience vision and sight loss.

Everyone’s sight is unique, and so is their story.💛

[Visual Description: Image 1: Graphic with a dark blue background. Text: ‘What do you picture when you think of blindness? Complete darkness?’ Image 2: Graphic showing three examples of how different eye conditions can affect vision, using a photo of a woman with her guide dog. Text: ‘Sight loss is unique to each person: Macular degeneration. Retinitis pigmentosa. Diabetic retinopathy.’ Image 3: Caroline standing with her golden retriever guide dog with a red bus behind her. Text: ‘I have retinitis pigmentosa, but everyone experiences it in their own way. What I see might not be the same as someone else with RP.’ ‘Caroline, guide dog owner.’ Image 4: Graphic with a dark blue and yellow background. Text: ‘Everyone sees the world differently. This World Sight Day, remember that everyone’s experience of sight loss is their own.’]

07/10/2026

There's a first time for everything, and recently we teamed up with Tilly and Claire to complete a colour analysis and styling challenge!

Can they style as well as the catwalk pros?

Thanks to Rubarb Boutique for hosting us!

[Visual Description: The video opens with Claire and Tilly standing outside a boutique clothing shop called Rhubarb. Claire wears a brown striped top with black jeans, and Tilly wears a bright pink hat, a blue cardigan, a light pink T-shirt, and a pink and blue midi skirt. They both hold their long canes. Inside the shop, Tilly speaks to the camera as clips of the coloured cloths are shown. During the colour analysis, Claire sits on a chair in the shop, and Tilly drapes a variety of colours around her shoulders to work out which season she is. Together, they then look through the clothes in the shop and pick out a pink and red striped mesh top and silver trousers. Tilly tries on the outfit in the changing room and steps out for Tilly's approval. The video ends with Claire and Tilly talking to the camera in the shop.]

It’s Free Wills Month!Guide Dogs takes part in Free Wills Month, which means if you’re aged 55 or over, you can write or...
06/10/2026

It’s Free Wills Month!

Guide Dogs takes part in Free Wills Month, which means if you’re aged 55 or over, you can write or update a simple Will for free this October with participating solicitors in selected UK areas.

Appointments are allocated on a first come, first served basis, so if there are no appointments left, or if Free Wills Month is not in your area, there are alternative free Will writing services you can use.

There is no obligation to leave a gift to Guide Dogs, but many people kindly do. Any gift left in a Will can help create a future where more life-changing firsts are possible for people with sight loss 💛

Visit our website to find out more about writing or updating your Will for free 👉 https://bit.ly/3UaZd4r

[Visual description: Image one shows a person smiling and crouching down next to their guide dog. They are both facing the camera. There is navy text on a yellow background in the top left of the image that reads 'Free Wills Month' and the Free Wills Month logo and the Fundraising Regulator logo are below. Image two shows navy text on a yellow background that reads 'What is Free Wills Month? Free Wills Month takes place every March and October. It allows people aged 55+ to create a simple Will for free'. The Fundraising Regulator logo is in the bottom right of the image. Image three shows navy text on a yellow background that reads 'How it works. 1. Enter your postcode online to find details of participating solicitors nearest to you, or call 0333 022 0396. The Fundraising Regulator logo is in the bottom right of the image. Image four shows navy text on a yellow background that reads 'How it works. 2. Choose a solicitor and make contact during October to book an appointment.' The Fundraising Regulator logo is in the bottom right of the image. Image five shows navy text on a yellow background that reads 'Why it matters. There's no obligation to leave a gift, but many people kindly do. Gifts in Wills help create a future where lives are transformed'. The Fundraising Regulator logo is in the bottom right of the image.]

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Guide Dogs
Reading
RG73YG

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Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm

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+441189835555

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