The Swiss Re Foundation
Our partnership with the Swiss Re Foundation supported us in funding a new service that provides dedicated hospital-based Guide Dogs Family Support Outreach Officers to support families at the critical point when their child is first diagnosed with sight loss.
A two-year partnership - funding support for when parents need it most
There are currently 41,000 children and young people in the UK living with sight loss and every year 1,460 parents receive news that their child is blind or losing their sight. This is a devastating time and often parents don't know where to turn. There is no immediate guidance or emotional support available. Families are frightened and have very limited access to practical support until their child reaches school age.
During this two-year partnership, the Swiss Re Foundation supported Guide Dogs in funding new hospital-based Guide Dogs Family Support Outreach Officers within specialist Paediatric Eye Hospitals in London. Following a successful pilot project at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in London, this service was proven to give invaluable dedicated support to families whose child receives a new sight loss diagnosis.
Family Support Outreach Officers provide families with:
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Emotional and practical support from the point of diagnosis
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Help in understanding their child's diagnosis with compassion and reassurance
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A tailored plan to support each family
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Information on how to gain access to wider support from Guide Dogs Children's Programmes
Find out more about our Family Support Outreach Officers and the work they do to support families whose child has been diagnosed with sight loss
If a Family Support Outreach Officer had been in place, I believe my experience of becoming a mother to a vision-impaired child would have been more positive. Having that essential emotional and practical support, and someone who is impartial when dealing with the medical team treating your child would take the immediate pressure off parents.
A lasting legacy of support
During the partnership period with the Swiss Re Foundation, families received the help and guidance they desperately needed from these new support officers. What's more, it has created a lasting legacy as this service grows, enabling us to reach even more families that need our help across the UK in the future.
Talking about the partnership, Jason Richards, CEO UK & Ireland at Swiss Re UK said, "The whole UK team was so energised by this partnership with Guide Dogs. We were motivated to help make a real difference to those affected by sight loss, and interested to learn more about the pioneering paediatric work being undertaken at Guys Hospital."
The whole UK team was so energised by this partnership with Guide Dogs. We were motivated to help make a real difference to those affected by sight loss, and interested to learn more about the pioneering paediatric work being undertaken at Guys Hospital.
Fundraising that inspires and engages the team while making a real difference
The Swiss Re UK employees further supported Guide Dogs through a variety of inspiring, fun and challenging fundraising and volunteering activities throughout the partnership.
The Thames Bridge Walk
The Swiss Re UK team participated in the Thames Bridge Walk as their flagship fundraising event in 2022. Around 200 team members from across the organisation came together for a great day of walking and fundraising.
The Guide Dogs Coronation Walk
Following the success of the Thames Bridge Walk, Swiss Re decided to go bigger and better by creating the Guide Dogs Coronation Walk! 247 staff members signed up to take on the fundraising challenge of walking the 17-mile route around the city past Buckingham Palace, through Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, along the Regents Canal and more. It wasn’t just the sun that came out – many of our guide dog owners, guide dogs and volunteers greeted the walkers on their return for a well-earned celebration.
Get in touch with our corporate partnerships team