VOLUNTEERCORNER

DO you love dogs? Do you have spare time? Would you like to make a difference to someone’s life?

If you answered yes, this role with Guide Dogs could be perfect.

As a Puppy Raiser, you’ll provide a puppy with the vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog.

You’ll be looking after a puppy for 12-16 months and will guide him or her through training, socialisation, the introduction of new environments and experiences whilst providing a loving home.

There might be the odd chewed slipper along the way, but nothing beats the feeling of loving and raising a puppy who will go on to make an enormous difference to someone living with sight loss.

This role includes engaging with their world-class Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP) training programme to prepare your puppy for the next stages of becoming a guide dog; providing care and support for your puppy at home e.g. loving, grooming and feeding him or her; socialising your puppy and introducing him or her to a variety of environments to increase confidence – this can be as simple as taking your puppy with you to the shops, office or park as you go about your everyday life.

You will meet with your volunteer manager as frequently as needed to discuss any changes or issues with your puppy and be required to complete short questionnaires about your puppy’s development.

Guide Dogs cover all associated costs, such as food, vets and insurance.

■ If you have financial experience two further roles with Guide Dogs may be of interest as they are also looking for a new Treasurer and a Community Fundraiser. As a fundraising volunteer, you’ll be part of a team in your area that shares stories about what we do and raises funds to help people with sight loss.

From planning events and helping at collections, to placing our 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. If you’re good with numbers and want to use your skills, the role of Treasurer could be the perfect opportunity for you.

In this leadership position you’ll help your Guide Dogs fundraising group manage their finances and keep accurate records of all the vital funds raised.

■ Support U is looking for a new Chair of Trustees to help revitalise and lead their Board.

This is a Reading-based charity set up in 2010 to provide support to LGBTQ people in the Thames Valley.

Their small team runs social, emotional and wellbeing support and social groups and provides some counselling services. Responsibilities include the usual statutory responsibilities of being a charity Trustee and using a range of relevant skills, knowledge and experience to ensure effective governance, as well as leading discussion, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives and key issues.

The successful candidate will advocate for the charity and its work, act as a spokesperson and represent the organisation at functions and meetings as appropriate.

■ If you are interested in any of these roles or would like to discuss volunteering in general, please get in touch with our Volunteer Services Manager, Helena Badger on 0118 977 0749 or email volunteer@wokvol.org.uk. To see all of volunteering roles, please visit www.volunteerwokinghamborough.org.uk