Voluntary Action South West Surrey

Without our volunteers and especially our Fundraising Groups we wouldn’t be able to support people living with sight loss live their lives actively, independently, and well. We are looking to build up the Fundraising Group in Guildford and really need several Deputy Group coordinators, to help organise the groups fundraising activities.

In this lead volunteer role, you would be a key contact for fundraising in the area, the role would involve speaking with local businesses about fundraising opportunities for example, at local shopping centres, supermarkets, local events; organise fundraising activities for example quiz nights, bowling nights, sponsored walks, murder mysteries or anything else you can think of. You would build good working relationships with other volunteers in your group and make sure fundraising policies and procedures are followed and records are maintained.

Guide Dogs would provide specific training for this role which includes Data Protection – GDPR training; Volunteer Coordinating training; and a Welcome Induction Event. You will also have a dedicated volunteer manager who can provide ongoing support; as well as being able to connect with a good network of other volunteers. We have some experienced volunteer Fundraising Group Coordinators who are only too happy to help with advice and support.

In return, you’ll get the satisfaction of knowing you’re supporting people with sight loss by raising funds for our life-changing guide dogs and other vital services. You’ll also gain experiences, memories and friendships that last a lifetime.

To apply for this role, click 'fill in an application'.

As a fundraising volunteer for Guide Dogs, you’ll be part of a team in your local area that shares stories about what we do and raises vital funds to help people with sight loss live the life they choose. From planning events and helping at collections, to placing our iconic guide dog collection boxes with local businesses – you’ll get to hear inspiring stories, meet incredible people and dogs, and see the difference you’re making firsthand.

We’ve got volunteer roles to suit all passions, skillsets and schedules. You can make the role your own and you only need to take on as much as works for you.

You’ll have the full support of your team, a dedicated Guide Dogs volunteer manager, and you’ll also receive any training you might need to help you in your role. We also cover all reasonable expenses related to your volunteering.

In return, you’ll get the satisfaction of knowing you’re supporting people with sight loss by raising funds for our life-changing guide dogs and other vital services. You’ll also gain experiences, memories and friendships that last a lifetime.

The Puppy Raiser role is a full-on volunteering role, whereby you look after a future life-changing puppy for a year, from when they are about 9 weeks old until they are around 18 months. You will play a huge role in the social development of the puppy, guiding him or her through training, socialisation, introduction of new environments and experiences, whilst providing a loving home. They are young puppies when they first arrive so all the usual toilet training, chewing etc does occur; but if you can cope with that it is such a rewarding role.

You will take your puppy along to monthly puppy classes where you will be supported with their training, we use a programme called Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP) which is based on positive reinforcement. You will be supported by other puppy raisers as well as a dedicated volunteer manager.

Ideally you will have enough time to invest in raising a puppy and attending to their needs, have someone at home who is physically able to handle large breed dogs (around 25 – 40 kg), access to a car so that you can get your puppy used to travelling, the agreement of your landlord to have a dog in the property if you rent your home and a safe secure area outside for your puppy to go to the toilet.

You’ll get the rewarding feeling of watching a mischievous puppy learn new training techniques to help them develop into a guide dog. The opportunity to participate in our bespoke world-class training programme which can help you train your own dogs or advance a future career in dog handling.

Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any expenses related to volunteering with us, including veterinary costs, food costs for the puppy and other materials needed for the puppy’s training.

As a Puppy Fosterer you will be providing a puppy with a loving home for a short period of time, which can vary from a couple of days to a couple of months, all whilst giving them the care and support they need for their training. You will help reinforce their training by supporting their social development, introduce them to new environments and experiences and follow the training guidance provided by our Puppy Development Advisors and the training programme we use called Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP) which is based on positive reinforcement.

Ideally you will have enough time to invest in looking after the puppy when they come to stay with you; have someone at home who is physically able to handle large breed dogs (around 25 – 40 kg); access to a car so that you can get your puppy used to travelling; the agreement of your landlord to have a dog in the property if you rent your home; and a safe secure area outside on gravel or concrete, for your puppy to go to the toilet.

You will get the satisfaction in knowing you are directly supporting people with sight loss to live actively, independently and well by helping a puppy develop into a future life-changing guide dog. Our volunteers receive lots of support from their volunteer managers to help them implement the training modules with their puppy.

Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any expenses related to volunteering with us, including veterinary costs, food costs for the puppy and other materials needed for the puppy’s training.

Volunteers Needed !!

Could you spare a couple of hours a week to support others to Get More Active?

If so, become an Active Buddy Volunteer.

Active Buddies is a project to support people with disabilities and long term health conditions to take part in activities within the community.

The role of an Active Buddy involves being a companion at activities. Helping your buddy get to and from the activity, whilst encouraging and supporting them.

To find out more about Active Buddies please fill in the Application form.