Volunteer Driver - Dogs & People

If you love being behind the wheel and want to use your driving skills to help a charity, then join Guide Dogs today!

As a volunteer driver, you will be helping us make a difference to people with sight loss, through supporting us with any transport requirements.

We have two roles:

• Dog Driver - In this role, you will transport puppies and adult dogs between Guide Dogs sites and specialist vet visits.
• People Driver - As a People Driver volunteer, you’ll be helping people with sight loss to live the life they choose by providing safe and friendly transport that enables service users, staff or fellow volunteers to engage in Guide Dogs activities.

You can choose to one or both. Each has different training requirements and the People Driver role requires a DBS check.

Benefits

Volunteering is a two-way street, so in return for your time you will get a dedicated volunteer manager/key contact who will help you settle in and support you during your time with us. You’ll also get:

• The satisfaction in knowing you are supporting people with sight loss to live actively, independently, and well.
• A flexible role which fits in with your existing commitments.
• Support to develop your dog handling skills 
• 1:1 contact with our dogs and puppies.
• We’ll reimburse any pre-agreed reasonable expenses to cover the actual mileage of the journeys you undertake using your own vehicle, and any other expenses related to your volunteering with us, in line with our policy, so you’re never out of pocket.
• We’ll provide you with a named volunteer manager to be your main point of contact and support which includes catch up conversations every 3 months.
• We’ll give you a thorough induction to the role and a warm welcome to Guide Dogs’ volunteer community.
• We’ll provide initial training before you get started which will take around 10 – 12 hours and will be delivered through a blend of in person and e-learning. This training will include skills and knowledge in guiding and supporting someone with sight loss. Some refresher training will be required.
• An opportunity to interact with others, including people within Guide Dogs and members of the public.

What skills do I need?

Requirements:

• Have a valid driving licence and insurance (minor driving convictions may not preclude you from volunteering).
• Be a confident and conscientious driver.
• Ideally have access to a car or other vehicle, which is roadworthy and legal.
• Be willing to drive a range of distances which may be out of your local area.
• Be willing and able to handle and manage our dogs and puppies using positive reinforcement methods.
• Need to be 18 or over.

We will provide you with equipment for transporting any dogs such as a car harness or dog guard, as required. 

Interests

• Disability
• Wildlife and Animals

Activities

• Driving

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