Guide Dogs UK

Supporting guide dog owners in the workplace starts with understanding. 💼

Here are three simple things every employer and colleague should know:

1. If a guide dog is wearing its white guiding harness, it's working. Avoid distracting the dog by talking to, petting or feeding it while it's on duty.

2. Always ask the guide dog owner before interacting with their dog. They'll let you know when it's okay to say hello or make a fuss.

3. Make sure there's a comfortable place for the guide dog to settle. A quiet space to lie down with access to fresh water can help them relax throughout the working day.

To learn more, read our full Guidance on guide dogs in the workplace page by following this link 👉 https://bit.ly/4yWZQ0Y

[Visual description: Two images: Image one shows guide dog owner Chloe sitting at a table using a tablet, with a cup of coffee beside her. The white guide dog harness with a fluorescent yellow handle is hanging from the back of her chair. Image two shows Dezzie, a golden Labrador guide dog, lying calmly on the floor beside her chair, with the white guide dog harness and fluorescent yellow handle resting nearby.]

Every kilometre can help change a life. 💛

When Sha began losing his sight, he lost more than his vision. His confidence, independence and mental wellbeing were all deeply affected.

Today, with guide dog Moby by his side, Sha is back doing what he loves. From everyday journeys to taking on marathons and 100K trail runs, Moby has helped him rediscover his independence.

"My life has changed for the better... Every walk we go on is an adventure." 🦮

This August, you can help create more life-changing partnerships like Sha and Moby's by taking on the Long Distance Raiser challenge.

Simply log 30km of activity on Strava between 8–28 August, choose Guide Dogs as your charity, and you unlock a £200 donation from Postcode Lottery – no fundraising required!

Whether you walk, run, wheel or hike, every kilometre counts.

Sign up today: https://bit.ly/44TgReS

[Image Description: Three Images: Image one shows a person walking towards the camera with a guide dog (yellow Labrador) in harness next to them. They are walking across a bridge with green space behind them. Image two shows a person walking with a guide dog (yellow Labrador) in harness, with family (one other adult and two children), they are walking along a gravel path. Image three shows a person sitting on a log in green space, stroking guide dog (yellow Labrador) in a harness - the dog is stood on the log.]

Are you ready to go the distance? 👟

Complete 30km your way this August and unlock a £200 donation for Guide Dogs through Crowns for Causes, funded by Postcode Lottery UK

Walk it. Run it. Cycle it. Break it up over days. Every kilometre helps transform lives. 💛

Sign up and log your KMs on Strava: https://bit.ly/44TgReS

[Visual description: Image shows white text on a red background. The text reads 'Long Distance Raiser in August in August for Guide Dogs'. The Guide Dogs logo is in the top left corner in yellow on a navy background. The Postcode Lottery logo is in white in the bottom left of the image, the Strava logo is in white in the bottom right of the image, and the Crowns for Causes logo is in the centre of the image. There are green lines running through the image.]

“The practical training gives me confidence in guiding, and also a lot of empathy for the day-to-day challenges that visually impaired people encounter which sighted people don't often consider." - Sighted Guide Training Participant

Knowing how to guide someone with sight loss safely and confidently can make everyday places feel more welcoming and inclusive.

Whether you're supporting a colleague, a friend, or a family member, our Sighted Guide Training can help you build the skills and confidence to offer the right support.

Follow this link to find out more 👉 https://bit.ly/4bdgPlz

[Visual Description: Image one shows a man in a high vis jacket guiding a Guide Dogs staff member up some stairs. Image two shows a woman guiding a man around an airport check-in area. Image three shows a woman in a high vis long sleeve jacket, guiding a man up the stairs. They are both smiling.]

Guide running allows people with sight loss to run safely and keep fit with confidence.

Whether it's a weekly jog, a parkrun, or training for a marathon, guide runners make it possible for more people with sight loss to enjoy the physical and mental benefits of running.

Together, guides and runners are proving that sight loss doesn't have to be a barrier to enjoying the sport you love. 💛

[Visual Description: The image show two men running together. The man on the left is a guide runner, and is wearing a Guide Dogs branded t-shirt, with the words 'guide runner' on it. The two men are using a tether to run together.]

Access to everyday places can make all the difference to someone with sight loss.

Long before a guide dog is matched with their owner, our Puppy Raisers are helping make this possible.

By introducing puppies to a variety of environments, they're building the confidence and skills the dogs will need to support someone with sight loss wherever life takes them.

From pubs to the garden centre, and cafes to libraries, puppy socialisation sessions help build a more inclusive future for guide dog owners. 💛

To help create a more accessible world, learn more about our volunteer Puppy Raiser role by following this link 👉 https://bit.ly/4vKAwZf

[Visual Description: Image one shows a couple at a pub drinking beer. A black Labrador sits at their feet. The couple are smiling at each other. Image two shows a Puppy Raiser in a library with a yellow Labrador. The dog is wearing a puppy-in-training jacket. The Puppy Raiser is smiling at the dog and stroking it. Image three shows a group of Puppy Raisers at a cafe having coffee together. Three dogs are sat by their feet. Image four shows a Puppy Raiser and her puppy-in-training at the garden centre. The dog wears a puppy-in-training jacket.]

Have you ever been refused access to a business or service because you were with your guide dog?

Access refusals are almost always illegal, but they continue to affect guide dog owners who are simply trying to go about their daily lives.

This November, we're taking the issue to Parliament, where we’ll be meeting MPs face to face and calling for stronger laws on access rights. Will you join us on the day and help us make the case for change?

If you’re a guide dog owner based in the UK, register your interest at the following link: https://bit.ly/4frqCFS

[Visual Description: Image shows a guide dog owner walking up to the door of a cafe with her guide dog. Text on the image reads 'Open Doors for guide dogs. It's the law'.]

What's not to love about puppy, Stanley? 💛

This handsome Labrador cross golden retriever loves soaking up fuss and attention - and one day, he could make a life-changing difference to someone with sight loss.

When you sponsor Stanley, you'll follow his incredible journey from playful puppy to future guide dog through regular Pupdates, exclusive photos, videos and behind-the-scenes moments, all while helping support the incredible work of Guide Dogs.

Could you be part of Stanley's story? https://bit.ly/4yBujS4

[Image Description: Two images: Image one: black Labrador cross golden retriever is laying down on a blanket, he is looking at the camera with a soft toy in his mouth. Image two: black Labrador cross golden retriever is walking towards the camera, through a blue tunnel.]

Running a Parkrun is impressive. Running one while juggling? That's a whole different challenge!🤹

A huge congratulations to Guide Dogs volunteer, Ali, who completed 21 Parkruns while joggling (that's jogging + juggling!) to raise an incredible £1,000 for Guide Dogs. 💛

Inspired by the £102,000 it takes to breed, raise, train, and support a guide dog for their working life, Ali set herself the challenge of joggling 102km – cheered on by fellow runners, Guide Dogs volunteers and even guide dog puppy, Selwyn. 🐶

From encouragement along the route to donations from complete strangers, Ali's story is a wonderful reminder of what people can achieve when a community comes together.

[Image Description: image shows one person on the left in Guide Dogs technical t-shirt, they are juggling with navy juggling balls, next to them are three volunteers in Guide Dogs polo shirts. In between them is the parkrun banner for Porthcawl. With them they have two dogs, sat in front, one is wearing an ambassador dog jacket. In the background is the sea.]