Volunteering

Volunteering with Guide Dogs is life-changing – and not just for the people we support. Join one of our amazing roles and be part of the pack and you’ll quickly see how the time you give benefits people with sight loss, our four-legged friends and you!

Whether you’re interested in a volunteering opportunity with our dogs, helping people with a vision impairment in your community or getting involved with a group where you live, you’ll be making a massive difference to the lives of children and adults with sight loss. And you’ll also get to have amazing experiences that you genuinely couldn’t find anywhere else.

We simply couldn’t deliver our vital services without our incredible volunteers. Every person is an individual at Guide Dogs, so whether it’s raising a puppy or making a difference in your community, you can make a change that matters.

Guide Dogs Puppy Raiser holding two puppies in her lap

Explore the role of a Puppy Raiser

Open your home to a puppy and help them learn the basic skills they need for guide dog training.

Volunteer as a Puppy Raiser

Find volunteer opportunities near you

Search for volunteering opportunities near you in the box below.

Volunteering with our dogs

Nurture and care for our amazing dogs. Our young puppies, guide dog mums and dads, and dogs in training need loving homes with volunteers.

A volunteer fundraiser smiles with another volunteer whilst helping at an event

Volunteer with your local fundraising group

Get involved by volunteering with your local Guide Dogs group for fun, fundraising and four-legged friends.

Volunteer speaks to people whilst three dog looks up at her

Volunteer to support your local community

Help share our story in your local community and champion people with sight loss or help at your local Guide Dogs centre.

Two yellow labrador puppies sit before a sign that reads thank you in colourful letters

Why volunteer with us?

Find out more

Uncover the powerful stories of our volunteers and why they volunteer with Guide Dogs on our YouTube playlist.

Go to our volunteering playlist

I’ve made so many friends through Guide Dogs over the years. I meet new people, I go places that I wouldn’t normally go to. It’s a good excuse to get out and try different things too. I just love it. The guide dog owners I’ve met have made me realise just how important volunteering is.

Iris, volunteer Puppy Raiser

Volunteering FAQs

We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and experiences.

You need to be over 18 for most of our volunteer roles, however, we also have some roles which are suitable for people aged over 16. Please check the role description for the minimum age requirements.

For roles that directly support our service users, we will carry out a DBS check. For roles that involve guiding a service user or handling our dogs, we may also ask questions about your physical health to ensure everyone’s safety.
Use the postcode search box above to check out roles currently available near you. Not all roles may be available in your local area but you can give us a call on 0345 143 0191 or email volunteer@guidedogs.org.uk and we can help you find the perfect role or check back later to see if something different pops up.

Once you find the right role for you, click apply!

We’ll then ask you to fill in an application form with the information required for the role. Once received, we may need to email you for further information. After this, or if your role doesn’t require further information, your volunteer manager will contact you to arrange an interview. If you’re both happy to go ahead, then the relevant training for the role will be organised before you start volunteering.