VOLUNTEERS are needed to help visually impaired and blind people in Stroud.

The Guide Dogs organisation is appealing for volunteers who could help people with sight loss get out and about for just a few hours a week.

The charity runs a service called ‘My Guide’ where it matches volunteer sighted guides with visually impaired people.

Each volunteer supports the person they are partnered with by guiding them in their local area, for a few hours a week or a fortnight.

A volunteer may help someone visit the local shops, go to a café or simply go for a walk.

Liz, from Stroud, is visually impaired and has been waiting for a My Guide volunteer since 2018.

She would like a volunteer to help her get out and about.

Liz said: “A My Guide volunteer would help me to meet new people and visit new places.

“A volunteer would open up new areas for me.”

Beth Wise, My Guide volunteering manager, said: “Living with sight loss can be extremely isolating, particularly if you do not have the confidence to leave your house on your own.

“The My Guide service helps combat this isolation and aims to help people with sight loss feel part of their community again.

“We have a number of people waiting for a My Guide volunteer in the Stroud area, and are desperately trying to encourage volunteers to come forward.

“If you could spare just a few hours a week to help a local person with sight loss get out and about, then please get in touch.”

Volunteers must be 18 or over. No experience is necessary and full accredited training is provided.

Guide Dogs is also required to carry out a full enhanced DBS check for each volunteer.

If you are interested in volunteering as a sighted guide in the Dursley area, contact Guide Dogs Birmingham on 0345 143 0194 or email beth.wise@guidedogs.org.uk