Help keep our centre accessible for Guide Dog Owners!
At My Sight Notts, guide dogs are part of everyday life. As well as welcoming guide dog owners who visit our city centre office to access our services, we also have members of staff and volunteers who work alongside their guide dogs every day.
Guide dogs are specially trained to remain clean while working in harness. They are taught to relieve themselves only when given a command by their owner in a suitable, designated place. This is an essential part of their training and enables them to work safely and reliably in busy public spaces.
However, for people visiting, volunteering or working at our city centre office, this presents a real challenge.
There is no suitable outdoor area nearby where guide dogs can be exercised or toileted. Despite discussions over many years, no appropriate location has been identified by the local authority. As a result, the specialist guide dog spend area at My Sight Notts is not a luxury – it is a necessity.
The facility was originally installed following advice from Guide Dogs UK, providing a safe, hygienic and appropriate place for guide dogs and assistance dogs to toilet on command before or after appointments, shifts and volunteering sessions.
Every year, guide dogs rely on this facility while their owners access our services, volunteer or work at My Sight Notts. Without it, many people could face the anxiety of arriving at our centre knowing their guide dog has nowhere appropriate to relieve itself. This could mean shortened visits, disrupted working days, missed appointments, unnecessary stress and potential embarrassment for both owner and dog.
The facility also plays an important role in protecting hygiene and reducing health risks by providing a dedicated, purpose-built area rather than leaving owners with no suitable alternative.
After many years of daily use, the specialist flooring has deteriorated beyond repair and now needs to be completely replaced. The drainage system may also require replacement. The total cost of the work is expected to be around £2,500.
For a small local charity, this is a significant and unexpected expense, but it is one we must address to ensure our centre remains accessible for everyone.
With your support, we can raise £2,500 to restore this vital facility and keep our doors open to every guide dog partnership that relies on My Sight Notts. Together, we can ensure that independence begins the moment someone arrives at our centre.
If you would like to donate to help restore our Guide Dog facility, please visit Restore the My Sight Notts Guide Dog Facility
Your donation will help us:
- Replace the specialist flooring.
- Repair or replace the drainage system if required.
- Maintain a safe, hygienic and durable facility.
- Ensure guide dog and assistance dog owners can continue visiting, volunteering and working at My Sight Notts with dignity and confidence.
If we are fortunate enough to raise more than is needed for the repairs, any surplus funds will be used to support My Sight Notts’ wider services for people living with sight loss across Nottinghamshire.
