FLEETWOOD Hall, part of Sandstone Care Group, recently enjoyed a special visit from Unity, a trained guide dog from the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, along with her owner.
The visit included an informative talk from Graham, a Guide Dogs charity speaker, who shared fascinating insights into the world of guide dogs and the vital role they play in the lives of people with sight loss.
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is a UK charity that helps thousands of people with visual impairments live independently and confidently. Its work goes far beyond providing dogs; they offer mobility training, emotional support, and practical advice for people of all ages affected by sight loss.
Graham shared that it costs around £50,000 to breed, train and support a guide dog throughout its working life and the charity relies almost entirely on donations to continue this life-changing work. Each dog undergoes rigorous training to safely guide their owner, respond to hazards, and give them the freedom to move around their community with confidence.
For Fleetwood Hall, this day was especially meaningful, as two of the residents are blind. Graham’s blindness awareness session, which included an introduction to braille, was not only informative but practical and useful for the staff and helped further their understanding of how to assist residents with sight loss.
Following the session, the home acquired a braille bible for one resident, enabling her to continue enjoying weekly communion with her congregation and maintain that important part of her life.