Guide Dogs North East

02/06/2026

This Volunteers' Week, we're saying a huge thank you to all our incredible volunteers across the North East 💛

From puppy raisers and fosterers to fundraisers, speakers, drivers and so many other important roles, your time, dedication and support help make a difference to people with sight loss every day.

Future guide dog puppy Meg recently visited the Angel of the North with her volunteer Puppy Raiser Erika as part of her early socialisation journey. Volunteers play a vital role in helping puppies like Meg build the confidence and skills they need for the future.

While we're celebrating all our volunteers this week, we're also looking for more volunteer puppy raisers across the North East and training dog fosterers in Newcastle.

Could you help support the next generation of guide dogs?

Find out more: https://bit.ly/4fm2Eh2

[Visual description: Yellow Labrador x Golden Retriever guide dog puppy Meg sits attentively beside her volunteer puppy raiser Erika beneath the Angel of the North in Gateshead. Taken from a low angle, the image captures the iconic sculpture towering overhead with its wings stretching across the cloudy sky. The puppy looks up towards Erika, who smiles down at her while holding the lead.]

01/06/2026

We’re proud to be part of Crowns for Causes, a new campaign with Postcode Lottery UK X Strava that turns your everyday activity into life-changing donations for Guide Dogs!

Whether you walk, run, wheel, skate, sail, or simply move more, every challenge completed can unlock £50 for Guide Dogs - funded by Postcode Lottery.

There are three challenges across June, July and August, and every step could help people with sight loss live actively, independently and well.

Choose Guide Dogs. Complete your challenge. Unlock your Crown. 👑

Sign up today: https://bit.ly/4uA7prZ

[Image Description: red image with white text 'Unlock £££ for Guide Dogs on Strava'. Guide Dogs logo appears in top left corner in yellow on navy background, bottom left is Postcode Lottery logo in white, bottom right is Strava logo in white. Crowns for Causes logo is central in white. A blue and orange curved line runs through the image]

28/05/2026

Thursday trainee update 🐾

Jester joined our Newcastle team in April and has been making great progress as he begins the next stage of his journey towards hopefully becoming a future guide dog 💛

Since arriving, he’s been learning the foundational behaviours needed for guiding work and has recently been introduced to the guide dog harness for the very first time.

He’s especially enjoying learning “head in”, a cue for our dogs to place their head into the harness ready to begin guiding, and is settling into training brilliantly ✨

Good luck, Jester – we can’t wait to see your confidence and skills continue to grow!

[Visual description: Two photos of black Labrador x Golden Retriever guide dog in training Jester. In the first image, Jester sits indoors holding a large pink soft toy in his mouth while looking towards the camera with gentle brown eyes. In the second image, Jester sits outside in the sunshine on a pavement wearing a bright yellow Guide Dogs training flash and lead, looking happy and alert.]

26/05/2026

Tongue out Tuesday with future guide dog Jinny!🐾

8 week old Jinny has recently arrived in Teesside to begin her guide dog journey and is already settling into her new home brilliantly 💛

Over the coming months, she’ll start learning the foundational skills and behaviours needed to hopefully one day support someone with sight loss live with confidence and independence.

A huge thank you to everyone who helps support puppies like Jinny on their journey.

Could you be a volunteer Puppy Raiser? We are actively looking for more people to join the Guide Dogs family across the North East. Find out more and apply here: https://bit.ly/4ts1QLl

[Visual description: Young yellow Labrador x Golden Retriever puppy Jinny leans over the half door of a pen, looking directly towards the camera with her tongue curled up over her nose.]

22/05/2026

Meet some of the future guide dogs currently being supported by our amazing volunteer fosterers in Newcastle 🐾💛

Guide dog fosterers provide a loving home environment for dogs in training outside of their working day, helping them rest, relax and enjoy all the things dogs love most.

Dolly is in the advanced stages of her training and is already on her way to becoming a future life changer. Outside of training, she loves beach walks with her fosterer Amy and can never resist a good toy - especially when she’s got plenty to choose from! 😊

Flora is in the early stages of training in Newcastle. She’s a clever, friendly girl who absolutely loves learning and working alongside her training team.

Steffi and Woody recently attended a fundraising event at BT, where they were brilliant ambassadors for Guide Dogs, settling in beautifully and showing just how calm and confident trainee guide dogs are. Fun fact - they actually have the same Dad! 🐶

We’re currently looking for more volunteer fosterers in the Newcastle area to support dogs like Dolly, Flora, Steffi and Woody during their training journey.

As a volunteer Training Dog Fosterer, you would care for a dog in your own home during evenings and weekends, while dropping them off at our Newcastle centre on weekdays between 8am and 9am and collecting them again between 4.30pm and 5.45pm. Fosterers usually support a dog for around 3 to 6 months.

Could you offer a future guide dog a home away from home? Find out more via our website: https://bit.ly/4dpSIl5

[Visual description: Three images showing Newcastle guide dogs in training at different stages of their journey. The first shows yellow Labrador x Golden Retriever Dolly sitting indoors beside some fluffy toys, looking towards the camera. The second shows a yellow Labrador x Golden Retriever Flora sitting outside on grass with her mouth slightly open in a happy expression. The third shows two trainee guide dogs Steffi and Woody relaxing calmly at an indoor fundraising event, lying on the floor on some blankets.]

14/05/2026

Thursday trainee update 🐾

Ferris joined our Sheffield team from Atherton for his advanced training and has been progressing brilliantly. He’s a confident boy who enjoys working and is showing really consistent guiding skills as he continues his journey towards hopefully qualifying as a guide dog soon.

Dogs like Ferris are supported by an incredible network of staff and volunteers throughout their journey, from puppy raisers and fosterers through to the expert teams supporting their training 🐾

Huge thanks to Dog Wellbeing Technician Becca for this beautiful shot of Ferris enjoying some down time! 💛

Find out more about how you can volunteer for us via our website: https://bit.ly/4ts1QLl

13/05/2026

The Yorkshire Evening Post recently visited our Leeds training centre to meet Guide Dog Trainer Elysha and Guide Dog Mobility Specialist Hannah with trainee guide dogs Erik and Ellis, and learn more about the journey future guide dogs go through before supporting someone with sight loss.

The feature gives a lovely behind-the-scenes insight into guide dog training, including how our dogs learn to safely navigate obstacles, crossings and busy environments, alongside the vital role trust and teamwork between a guide dog and their owner.

Read the full article here:
https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/people/meet-the-trainee-guide-dogs-in-thorner-who-will-one-day-make-a-life-changing-difference-8541330

None of our work would be possible without our incredible volunteers and supporters 💛

Here is what it was like when I visited the Guide Dog training centre in Thorner 🐕

12/05/2026

A huge congratulations to Barnsley guide dog owner Lee Roberts, who has helped raise more than £2,200 for Guide Dogs after climbing Mount Snowdon alongside guide dog Isha and friends from Barnsley-based dance school ParkerDance 👏

The fundraising challenge, organised by Lee’s dance teacher Amanda Parker and her husband Alan, also saw Lee take on the world’s fastest zip wire the day before the climb!

After losing his sight following sepsis, Lee discovered a passion for ballroom dancing after being inspired by Strictly Come Dancing and says having guide dog Isha by his side has helped him rebuild his confidence and independence.

Lee said: “I have to thank Alan and Amanda at ParkerDance for encouraging me and organising the whole challenge, along with everyone else who took part and supported us.”

Everyone at Guide Dogs is incredibly proud of Lee and grateful to Amanda, Alan and everyone at ParkerDance for driving this challenge 💛

If you’d like to support the group’s fundraising efforts for Guide Dogs, you can donate here 👇

https://www.justgiving.com/page/alan-parker-1

[Visual description: Three images showing guide dog owner Lee taking on a fundraising challenge for Guide Dogs alongside supporters from Barnsley-based dance school ParkerDance. The first image shows Lee, guide dog Isha and the wider group smiling together at the misty summit of Snowdon after completing the climb. The second shows Lee in a town with guide dog Isha, his dance teacher Amanda and another supporter ahead of the challenge. The third image shows Lee and supporters wearing helmets and harnesses before taking on the world’s fastest zip wire at Zip World.]

11/05/2026

Football is for everyone ⚽🐾

We recently teamed up with Town to deliver Sighted Guide training for staff, helping create a more accessible and inclusive experience for supporters with sight loss.

The day also gave some of our guide dog puppies in training the opportunity to explore a brand new environment as part of their early socialisation — from the stands and concourse to pitchside at the Accu Stadium!

A huge thank you to everyone at Huddersfield Town for supporting this partnership 💛

If your organisation or community group would like to learn more about Sighted Guide training, visit our website: https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/

[Visual description: A series of images taken inside Huddersfield Town AFC’s Accu Stadium during Sighted Guide training delivered by Guide Dogs. The first image shows a yellow Labrador puppy in a blue and yellow 'Guide Dogs Puppy in Training' coat walking around the stadium concourse while volunteers and staff stand in the background. The second image shows a group of Guide Dogs staff, volunteers, Huddersfield Town staff and guide dog puppies standing together pitchside inside the stadium. The third image shows a Guide Dogs staff member supporting a Huddersfield Town staff member wearing a blindfold as they walk carefully up stadium steps using sighted guiding techniques. The fourth image is a close-up of a golden retriever puppy in training looking towards the camera. The final image shows two HTAFC staff members show practical sighted guiding exercises taking place inside the stadium.]