Newcastle Mobility Team Newsletter

GUIDE DOGS

Pawprint 35th Edition

Summer 2015

Mobility Team

Welcome to this edition of Pawprint. I hope you enjoy it. They do say that things never stand still. I can vouch for that!

Already in 2015 we have undergone a number of staffing changes within the team, which have included GDMI Paul Corner leaving the team to work in his family’s business; Anna Lindsay our Community Fundraiser in Cumbria going on maternity leave at the beginning of May; and Claire Devine the Volunteer Consultant taking on a promotional secondment to work as a Regional Business Partner for one and a half days a week. At the time of writing we are working on bringing in replacements for Paul, Anna and part of Claire’s role.

Eve Bateman is a new recruit to the team as the local Rehoming Officer. We are also in the process of recruiting to a number of specialist posts, which are based in the Newcastle Mobility Team, for Blind Children UK. All our current opportunities are advertised on the Guide Dogs website: http://www.guidedogs.org.uk

2015 is proving to be another challenging year as we try to expand the work that we do to help and support people with sight loss.

Our aim is to train 47 guide dog partnerships, establish 30 new My Guide partnerships, and recruit and train 103 new volunteers. Through Blind Children UK we aim to support 97 young people with their mobility and independence as well as supporting 83 children and their families in other ways. We are doing well at the time of writing; however, successfully finding replacement staff for those who have left or who are unavailable will be important if we are to continue to meet our targets.

Our £289,000 fundraising aim for 2015 is a major undertaking which requires everyone to do their bit if we are to be successful. Any support or help to the team or to the local fundraising groups would be appreciated. If all you can offer to support us in our task is an hour, we would love to hear from you. An hour of your time can make a big difference to the money we can raise and the services we can provide.

Mark Burnett Mobility Team Manager

Volunteering

First of all congratulations to the winners of our local volunteer awards who will have been to the regional finals in Edinburgh by the time you receive this. Many thanks too to those of you who took the time to nominate a fellow volunteer. We had 28 nominations for brilliant volunteers so it was very tough to choose the final winners who were:

Inclusive and embracing - Louise Thompson Dedicated to superior quality - John Hopper Maximising impact - Durham Fundraising Group Passionate and determined - Jean Coates Customer focused - Paula Holliday Trustworthy - Sheila Tyrrell

I’d also like to introduce our Volunteer Voices group who are here as your representatives. Please feel free to use the e-mail addresses below or chat to them at events and training. Your reps are: John Goldfinch - fundraiser and speaker Catch up with John at events Alan Stothart - driving Jan Harker - puppy walking Catch up with Jan at puppy class Colin Wilson - Cumbrian rep, all roles: [email protected] Jo Gardner - Cumbrian rep, all roles: [email protected] Karen Chetwynd - speaking and fundraising, Cumbria: [email protected] Sheila Tyrrell – guide dog owner volunteers, North East and Cumbria Catch up with Sheila at events Val Hydes – guide dog owner volunteers in Teesside and fundraising: Catch up with Val at events Craig Blackbird - fundraising group volunteers: [email protected] Charlotte Stephenson - volunteers under 25: [email protected] Liz McAlpine - speaker concerns: [email protected] Gill Blythe - speaker concerns: [email protected] Alan Gibb - boarders and dog exercisers: [email protected] Ann Gibb - My Guide: [email protected]

Claire Devine

My Guide

After a great year in 2014, creating 42 My Guide partnerships, the Newcastle Mobility Team are continuing to work closely with our associate organisations (Sight Service, Pearey House and Teesside and District Society for the Blind) to create even more partnerships this year. In the first quarter of 2015, we had already created 13 new partnerships. The demand for the My Guide service means we have waiting lists in some areas. For My Guide to be a success in the North East and Cumbria, volunteers are essential.

Recruitment of volunteers is continuing in key areas. We’re always looking for volunteers, so if you could spare a few hours per week to support somebody with sight loss to get out and about in their community, please get in touch. We need more My Guide volunteers in County Durham, Cumbria, Sunderland and Northumberland. Whether you’re an existing volunteer in another role or brand new to the organisation, I’d love to hear from you.

For more information about the My Guide service, please contact me on 0845 3727423 or e-mail [email protected]

My Guide – friends and family training Are you interested in some of your friends and family learning or developing their sighted guiding skills to help you better? We are offering sighted guide training to friends and family of blind and partially sighted service users within the North East and Cumbria. These sessions can be organised and bespoke for your family and friends, even in your home. If you’re interested in organising a family and friends sighted guiding course, please contact me on 0845 3727423 or e-mail [email protected]

Mike Dooley

Summer Picnic 2015

At long last, winter is behind us. About time too!

So it’s time to start making plans for summer and we’ve arranged with Bill Quay Community Farm to have another picnic get-together there on Saturday 11 July 2015.

We’ll be there from 11.00 until 3.00 in the afternoon with attractions such as a cake stall, tombola, sighted guiding around the farm, a Guide Dogs merchandise stall and a treasure hunt designed for children (but adults can help). Hope to see you there, at Bill Quay Farm, Hainingwood Terrace, Bill Quay, Gateshead, NE10 0UE.

Engagement

Parking on pavements: I don't know about other guide dog owners, but I am constantly faced with vehicles parked on pavements, blocking my way and in some cases forcing me and my guide dog Zoe to step out on to the road.

Guide Dogs is currently running a campaign about inconsiderate parking on pavements and are working to bring in a law which would ban drivers from doing this.

We have created a map highlighting which constituencies have problems with inconsiderate parking and this evidence will really help us to make an effective case to elected officials on why there needs to be a law to stop pavement parking.

We really need your help to get the North East and Cumbria “on the map”. If you, or anyone you know, come across a car parked on the pavement and causing an obstruction while out and about it would be a great help if you could take a quick snap and e-mail it to [email protected], along with the rough location (ideally the street name and town). If possible try to avoid showing the number plate.

Please do check the map: http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/pavementparkingmap and accompanying accessible location list and find out how we are doing in our mobility team.

In an effort to take this forward locally I am currently working with Durham and Northumbria Police to raise public awareness of the difficulties caused to people with sight loss faced with inconsiderate parking on pavements. If you live in the Durham area and you know of particular streets with a parking problem please let me know.

Dog attacks

Last year saw the introduction of the Anti Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Bill. This now means that an attack on a guide dog is considered as an attack on the person. Owners with dangerously out-of-control dogs could face up to three years’ imprisonment. It is essential that all such attacks are reported to the police.

Guide Dogs now has a service level agreement in place with both the Cumbria and Durham police forces; this lays out the procedure they must follow when an incident is reported to them.

Linda Oliver

Are you ready to be challenged again?

This year’s Guide Dogs Week 2015 runs from 3 to 11 October. As well as lots of fundraising that will be going on throughout the week, we’re planning to hold another Open Day in the office on Saturday 10 October.

Those of you who came last year will remember the series of sensory challenges that were set and attempted by dozens of visiting members of the public as well as lots of guide dog owners, their families and friends. A great day was had with lots of fun in addition to helping people understand better the challenges of visual impairment.

So I hope you will be able to come and tell your friends and family about it as all are welcome. We’ll be repeating some of last year’s challenges and are planning some new ones too. Make a date in your diary Saturday 10 October 2015, from 11.00 to 3.00 in the afternoon. We look forward to seeing you there.

Roger Matthewman

From your Service User Representative

Hello again

It’s said that everyone has a story to tell so now is your opportunity to tell your particular story about how having a guide dog has changed your life. You must be willing for your story to be used by Guide Dogs to illustrate how your life has changed since having a guide dog. Please send your contribution to the Newcastle office. All contributions will be greatly appreciated and put to good use.

Are you aware that anyone who is a customer of Northumbria Water and is visually impaired can register with them for a priority service? I have used this myself and found it very helpful. When my water supply was off they delivered bottled water to my home and that is only one of the services which they provide. I hope that this information is of use to you. I hope to meet up with some of you during the year but I can be contacted by e-mail at [email protected] or by telephone on 0191 2578142.

Kind regards, Sheila and Lara.

Meet the Team

Name – Lucy Prudhoe

Where do you live? - I live in Heaton, Tyne and Wear. Heaton is a residential suburb in the east end of Newcastle. One of Heaton’s well known residents was Chas Chandler, bassist for the Animals and the manager of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. It is said that Jimi Hendrix busked on Chillingham Road during his time living with Chas in Heaton at 35 Second Avenue!

How long have you been involved with Guide Dogs? - I’ve worked for Guide Dogs as a Mobility Services Support Worker since September 2014. I’ve recently passed my probation period so I am happy to say that I’m now officially a part of the Guide Dogs staff.

Where were you brought up? - I was brought up in Chapel House, Tyne and Wear. I lived there until I was 21/22 before moving to Heaton.

Family – I am the youngest of four daughters so, as you can imagine, our house was rarely quiet! I live with my partner who is a user experience designer. We would love to have a dog but working full time means that we can’t at the moment. I’m quite happy to get involved with boarding our guide dogs occasionally so that’ll help to fill the dog-shaped space in my life!

What do you do when you are not working? - When I’m not at work, I enjoy cooking, listening to music and watching films with my partner. I also enjoy eating out at restaurants and visiting the local art galleries. I also have a level 2 qualification in counselling skills.

Future personal ambitions? – I would love to join the technical training programme at Guide Dogs as I’m very interested in that side of things.

Editorial

Pawprint was produced by Roger Matthewman, Dawn Matthewman, Lesley Blundred, Craig Blundred. If you would like to contribute to future editions either contact the main office or send your contribution to:

Craig & Lesley Blundred 41 Forest Avenue Forest Hall Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 9AH [email protected]

Included here is a picture of a paw print.

GUIDE DOGS

Name a Puppy Change a Life

What will you call yours?

Puppy sponsorship packages from £2,500–£50,000 (plus VAT)

Our puppy sponsorship packages make perfect business sense! Not only can you use the benefits of your sponsorship to communicate and engage with your customers, your employees will love it too!

Contact us on 0118 9838208 for further details.

Included here is a photograph of a guide dog puppy lying down.

What is included?

[The following is a table, the text has been lifted for your reference.]

Package Name: Donate a Name £2.5K Name the puppy: Yes Birth Certificate: Yes Regular Updates 0-12 months: No Regular Updates 12-20 months: No Annual Updates Years 3 & 4: No Number of photos: 1 Number of visits: 0

Package Name: Walk £7.5k Name the puppy: Yes Birth Certificate: Yes Regular Updates 0-12 months: Yes Regular Updates 12-20 months: No Annual Updates Years 3 & 4: No Number of photos: 2 Number of visits: 1

Package Name: Learn £10k Name the puppy: Yes Birth Certificate: Yes Regular Updates 0-12 months: Yes Regular Updates 12-20 months: Yes Annual Updates Years 3 & 4: No Number of photos: 3 Number of visits: 2

Package Name: Guide * £50k Name the puppy: Yes Birth Certificate: Yes Regular Updates 0-12 months: Yes Regular Updates 12-20 months: Yes Annual Updates Years 3 & 4: Yes Number of photos: 3 plus Number of visits: 3 plus * Additional benefits can be negotiated by your account manager for the Guide sponsorship package.

[End of table.]

Registered charity in England and Wales (209617) and in Scotland (SC038979) 6063 12/13

GUIDE DOGS

DOGS UNITE! For Guide Dogs

Is your dog a caped crusader?

This year, Guide Dogs launched Dogs Unite – a series of sponsored dog walks with a difference.

Included here is a photograph of a dog wearing a Dogs Unite! cape.

The ultimate dog walk

At Dogs Unite your dog is the hero of the hour, raising sponsorship money with each heroic paw put forward, helping Guide Dogs change the lives of people with sight loss.

Each doggie participant at a Dogs Unite event receives their very own hero cape, becoming heroes for the day by helping raise much needed money for their canine friends – the guide dogs – who are genuine heroes every day for their owners.

This is dogs helping dogs. Dogs working together. Dogs united.

Included here is a photograph of a dog wearing a cape, with the caption: “Free dog cape”.

You can be a hero too!

We want to unite dogs of all shapes and sizes all over the UK, and transform the everyday dog walk into something extraordinary.

Why not make your dog walk count and become a hero by joining a Dogs Unite event near you? If you can’t find one close by, you could gather together your friends, family or colleagues for your own sponsored dog walk. It really is as easy as a walk in the park!

Find out more at http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/dogs-unite

Registered charity in England and Wales (209617) and in Scotland (SC038979) 7558

Follow and like Guide Dogs at: Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GuideDogsUK Twitter: @guidedogs

Guide Dogs England Park View House, Front Street, Benton, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7TZ

Tel: 0845 3727423 e-mail: [email protected] website: http://www.guidedogs.org.uk

Registered charity in England and Wales (209617) and in Scotland (SC038979)