Guide to sight loss support

DO YOU know someone living with sight loss? Would you like to be able to guide them safely and confidently?

Guide Dogs Cymru is running a free training session for friends and family members at the Evergreen Hall in Bridgend on Wednesday, March 4 from 2pm-4pm.

The interactive session is designed to give people a better awareness of sight loss, plus tips on the correct way to support a vision impaired person.

The training is tailored to each individual’s needs and covers the basics of sighted guiding.

Attendees are given time to practise their new skills on each other and discover how it feels to have sight loss.

Karen Nicholas of Bridgend attended a friends and family training session while her husband Malcolm was waiting to be matched with a guide dog.

She said: “Attendees did exercises in pairs, with one person wearing a blindfold and the other guiding them. I never realised before how scary it was to be unable to see and having to depend on someone else.

“You get lots of useful advice, and you are shown techniques to help you guide in a busy or narrow space.

“It was also good to meet the partners of other vision impaired people, and try on special spectacles that simulate different eye conditions.”

Malcolm, who is now the proud owner of guide dog Marcus, said: “I found that Karen’s guiding skills improved and she became much more aware.

“Undergoing a blindfold walk really brought home to her how it feels to lose your sight.

“As a blind person I get mobility training, but that’s not the case for friends and family. They need to know what to do, because we could be giving them the wrong advice.”

■ To take part, go along on March 4 or, to find out more, contact Steve Kersley on

07785 907728 or steve. kersley@guidedogs.org.uk