Guide Dogs seeks new volunteers in Glasgow: Make a difference in your community!

Guide Dogs is calling on the caring, community-minded people of Glasgow to join their mission in helping people living with sight loss to live the life they choose.

Article Source: Guide Dogs
Last Updated: 20 September 2024 13:07

They are actively seeking more volunteers for three crucial roles: Puppy Raisers, a Fundraising Group Coordinator and new members for the Glasgow Fundraising Group.

Become a Volunteer Puppy Raiser
Puppy Raisers provide a puppy with the vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog. You'll be looking after a puppy for 12-16 months and will guide him or her through training, socialisation, the introduction of new environments and experiences whilst providing a loving home.

Glasgow’s Nimmi Whitelaw (pictured) has volunteered with Guide Dogs since 2015, and has to date, raised 8 guide dog puppies for the charity, as well as being part of her local fundraising group.

Nimmi said: “I’m happiest around dogs so raising puppies for Guide Dogs is totally up my street. I absolutely love it. All the pups we’ve raised have their quirks and are all very different individuals. We’ve fallen in love with every puppy who has come through our home.

“Our current puppy, Malik, is a German Shepherd dog and at 16 months he’s nearly come to the end of his time with me. He’s a big boy and most folks who see him hold back, although they all agree that he’s very handsome. He’s been very quick to learn things and has done extremely well at classes.

“People often ask me two questions: How can we go through toilet training and sleepless nights every year? And how can you give them back? I’m sure every Puppy Raiser will back me up that both things are very difficult. It takes a certain someone to raise puppies, but we do it because we love what we do, and we love the dogs.

“You also only need to speak to someone who has a guide dog to understand how important they are and the difference they make. To have a fully trained guide dog you need people to volunteer to raise the puppies – that’s enough motivation for me.

“In India, where I’m from, people with a vision impairment mainly have to rely on their families for support as there isn’t anything definitive in place so they can often live very limited or lonely lives. I’ve met so many people in the UK living full, happy, confident lives. I hope that people all over the world can one day experience the wonderful work, support and resources like Guide Dogs provides here in the UK.”

If you’d rather raise pounds than puppies, consider helping to fund life-changing services for people with sight loss by volunteering with a Guide Dogs fundraising group - a fantastic way to spend your free time, sharing your unique skills, experience, perspective, and personality.

Nimmi said: “I’ve been involved for all my time with Guide Dogs with the local fundraising group too. We are the ones you see popping up at various places with buckets and sometimes with trade stalls too. Guide Dogs are a charity so very dependent on the generosity of the public to run their services.”

Being part of a fundraising group is flexible, participate as much or as little as works for you. As well as members, the role of Glasgow Fundraising Group Coordinator is available.

This role involves:
• Leadership Opportunities: Motivate and lead a team of passionate volunteers.
• Event Organisation: Plan and execute fun and impactful fundraising events.
• Networking: Build connections with local businesses and community groups.

Guide Dogs offers training, support and expenses, and seeks to work around volunteers’ schedules.

Ready to make a difference? Find the role that suits you at www.guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer or call Guide Dogs on 0800 781 1444.

Guide Dogs provides services for adults and children with a vision impairment.

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