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1
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