My Guide volunteers needed

My Guide volunteers will be asked to spend a few hours a week with service users in the Leeds area for three to six months. The scheme aims to help service users rebuild their confidence, become part of the community and regain an independent lifestyle.
Debbani Ghosh, Manager of Association of Blind Asians Leeds, said "My Guide volunteers will make a very real difference to the lives of blind and partially sighted people, learn new skills and give something back to the community."
Initially the service user and volunteer will work in partnership by agreeing on clear goals and taking part in social and leisure activities including shopping, sport events or going on day trips. The volunteer will then train family and friends of the service user to help them continue to build in confidence and live independently.
Volunteers are required to enrol in a nationally recognised training course developed by Guide Dogs and endorsed by VISION 2020, the umbrella body for visual impairment. All volunteers will contribute to an independent lifestyle for their blind and partially sighted partners and will be able to add valuable skills to their CV.  All volunteers will be subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check.
More information on how to become a My Guide is available from:
Sonal Parmar, Association of Blind Asians Leeds, Touchstone SupportCentre, 53-55 Harehills Avenue, Leeds  LS8 4EX, sonalp@abaleeds.org.uk,0113 210 3347