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My Guide volunteer training

The My Guide training programme has been developed by Guide Dogs, in collaboration with its partners. However, the delivery of the training is the responsibility of the trainer or organisation providing the training.

Developed in partnership

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Course objectives

To practise and improve sighted guide skills To develop the communication skills needed to

be a My Guide volunteer To understand the risks and benefits of delivering

the My Guide service as a volunteer To learn how to support service users and create

activity plans

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Programme

Introductions and welcome Recap of basic sighted guide

techniques Eye conditions Communication awareness and training Boundaries and safeguarding Creating independence, not supporting

dependence Arranging your practice

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What is a My Guide volunteer?

A volunteer who provides a sighted guide service for an agreed period to enhance the service user’s independence through getting out and about

Requires learning, assessment and practice at Levels 1 and 2

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Other modules and roles

Community Sighted Guide

Requires learning at Level 1

A Community Sighted Guide confidently and effectively provides safe sighted guide assistance in public

My Guide Practitioner Requires learning,

assessment and practice at Levels 1, 2 and 3

Provides training and support to Community Sighted Guide and My Guide volunteers

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Guidelines to help the course run smoothly

Mobile phones off or on silent please We all agree for only one person to speak at a

time Relax! Say what you think Be respectful at all times

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Introductions

Tell us: Your name The experience you have of sighted guiding What you want to achieve today

Approaching someone and setting off

Introduce yourself and offer help

Ask where the person wants to go

Stand by their side and let them hold your arm above the elbow

You start walking and they will follow about half a step behind

If they have a guide dog, approach from the opposite side 8

In a narrow space or busy area

Walk in single file Straighten your arm and move

it to the middle of your back The person will step in

behind you Slow your pace a little

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Crossing a road

Say if the kerb is a step up or step down

Pause before you take the step so that the person can get ready

Describe to the person where they are

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Going up or down stairs or steps

Say if the steps go up or down The person’s free hand should be on

the side of the handrail Going up – pause for the person to find

the bottom step then move off. They will follow one step below you

Going down - let them find the handrail and first step down before moving off. They will follow one step behind

Say when you have reached the top or the bottom and pause

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Getting through doorways

Say whether the door opens towards or away from you and to the left or the right

Open the door with your guiding arm

As you walk through, the person you’re guiding should hold it open before following you through

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Taking a seat

Describe the type of seat, whether it has arms, and if there’s a table in front

Put your guiding hand on the back of the chair, and allow the person to slide their arm down to find it

In a row of seats, side step along the row until the person is in front of their seat with the backs of their knees touching it. They will then sit down 13

Getting into a car

Say if the car is facing left or right

Open the car door and place your guiding hand on it. The person you’re guiding can slide their hand down your arm to hold the door

Then place your guiding hand on the top of the door frame. The person you’re guiding will slide their other hand down your arm and get in the car 14

Leaving or finishing assistance

Always check with the person you’re guiding that they know where they are before you leave them

Tell the person clearly that you will be leaving them now

Leave them in a safe place, away from danger

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Tips for other situations

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How to guide a person with a guide dog

A guide dog owner will show they need help by laying the handle of the harness on the dog’s back

Approach from the opposite side to the dog

Talk to the person, not the dog Never take the lead or harness

handle Guide the person as you would

anyone else17

Toilets

Use your guiding hand on the handle of the door to the toilet

The person you are guiding will slide their hand down your arm to find the door handle

Agree with the person whether you will wait for them outside or if you are leaving

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Getting on or off a bus or train

Tell the person you are guiding how high any steps are and if there is a gap between the train and the platform

Guide the person as you step on or off, walking in front

Walk down aisles in single file

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Being person-centred

These tips are the best practice for sighted guides

Always use these techniques as a starting point, but be prepared to alter them depending on the particular requirements of the person you support

As long as you and the person you guide are safe, it’s ok to vary these tips

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Safety TipsThings to consider:

The person may have a medical condition Try to avoid unfamiliar or unknown surroundings

that could cause either of you to feel uncomfortable, threatened or concerned

Be aware of other people coming into contact with either of you, causing a collision or being aggressive or violent

Make sure you’re aware of what to do in the event of a fire, incident or other emergency situation

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Safety TipsFurther things to consider:

Avoid lifting or restraining the person so you don’t get hurt

Look out for objects/people and avoid tripping or slipping

Think about the weather conditions e.g. ice, snow, extreme heat, and how this could affect your journey

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Eye conditions 1

Age-related Macular Degeneration – a problem with cells in the part of the eye called the macular, causing a loss of central vision

Diabetic Retinopathy – damage to the blood vessels in the eye. The blood vessels bleed and can cause blurred vision or patches of obscured vision

Cataracts – Many different causes. Clouding of the lens occurs that can cause blurred or misty vision. The person may be dazzled by light 23

Eye conditions 2

Glaucoma – blockages cause pressure in the eye to increase, damaging the optic nerve. It can develop slowly and left untreated can cause a loss of peripheral vision.

Retinitis Pigmentosa – hereditary disorder making it difficult to see in poor light. It can cause a reduction of the visual field (tunnel vision)

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Communication awareness

Barriers to communication Are there any barriers which blind and partially

sighted people may experience? Visual cues

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Easy communication

Ask for understanding if you’re nervous Be honest and respectful in your questions Immediacy is best. Say right away when you

think there is a problem It’s ok to ask for advice Don’t be overly descriptive If in doubt, ask Be specific and clear

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Problem solving by being person-centred

Ask the person you are supporting if they mind explaining how much vision they have. This will help you respond appropriately

Tailor your communication so you are able to meet the individual’s needs – everyone is different

Learn to recognise signs of anxiety. If in doubt, ask for feedback, so that you can best support the service user

Always communicate with honesty and respect

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Entering a room

When you enter a room, tell the person you are there

Either sit where you can be seen, let the person know where you are sitting or ask where to sit

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Safeguarding and Boundaries

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Setting boundaries as a

My Guide volunteer Always agree the boundaries of your relationship

at the first meeting Agree the length of time you will be involved Agree the goals the person wants to achieve Decide how you will both know when the goals

have been met

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‘It’s my role to...’

Be your sighted guide for “x” number of weeks Increase your independence Help you feel confident about getting out and

about Direct you to other organisations that might be

able to help you To identify people who could be trained to help

you continue your journey to independence

Creating independence

Volunteer recruited for the My Guide programme:

•Induction, •CRB check •My Guide training

Service user signs up for the My Guide programme:

•Completes Matching form

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Volunteer is matched to service user

Volunteer is matched to service user

Activity plan created and carried out over an agreed period of time

Service user increases independence and confidence. Volunteer starts looking at next steps, including identifying potential sighted guides amongst family, friends, etc

On completion of activity plan, a co-ordinator helps serviceuser and volunteer review their My Guide partnership.

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Service user moves on with the support of local services, family and friends

Volunteer is available for their next match

Volunteer matching

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Summary points from discussion

The person you support might have been isolated and alone for some time

The volunteer might be the first helpful person in their life for a long time

Do you want to do for or with? You must believe in the person’s potential

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Activity plans

Are clear about roles and boundaries Help people set goals and identify what they want

to achieve Need creative and imaginative planners (i.e.

you!) to help the person you support set goals Describe how you will both meet the goals Help you think about what’s worked and what

hasn’t worked

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Tips for activity planning

Listen without judgement The goals must be relevant You may need short and long term goals “I don’t...” is not the same as “I can’t...” Plan an exit strategy, e.g. who will be the people

that you organise to have sighted guide training, to support the person in the long term?

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Goals

What do you (the service user) want to achieve using

your My Guide volunteer ? For example:

Independently travel to a particular place? Improved confidence in independent travel? Discover more about your local community? Meet more people?

Finishing the service

It should never come as a surprise to the person you support that this is your last session

A good finish relies on a good beginning Encourage the person to see how far they have

come Organise for their family, friends and community

members to have sighted guide training

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Finishing the service

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Make sure you have been able to refer them to helpful services where appropriate. This is more than just leaving phone numbers with people. It might be making sure that a person in the local sight loss organisation has called as they’d promised or that social services have followed up an enquiry

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Next steps

To become a My Guide volunteer you must complete the online assessed learning – available to download once you are registered (there is optional information on this site if you want to know more about this subject)

Please let your trainer know if you are interested in becoming a My Guide Practitioner

Your host organisation is responsible for supporting you in your volunteering role

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Online learning

You will find the learning space online at:www.myguide.org.uk

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Please complete your feedback forms before you go

Thank you