Guide Dogs UK

"I wanted to be part of this, but I couldn't." - Debbie

For Jess’ mum, Debbie, not being able to experience her grandson’s 20-week ultrasound scan was heartbreaking.

For parents and family members with sight loss, moments like these can be difficult to experience in the same way as sighted people.

That's why we've launched a new pilot scheme, First Hello, which transforms 2D 20-week ultrasound scans into 3D tactile sonograms, allowing expectant parents with vision impairment to experience the joy of early pregnacy milestones through touch.

Find out more by following this link 👉 https://bit.ly/4A1Vp5L

[Visual Description: Jess and her mum, Debbie, sit on a sofa together. Jess holds her son, Freddie, and on Debbie's lap is a Guide Dogs 'Your First Hello' box. Debbie opens the box and holds the 3D sonogram. As they speak, clips of Debbie feeling the 3D sonogram are shown.]

Awareness and education start from a young age. 💛

After becoming a Puppy Raiser, Sara discovered a passion for helping people understand more about Guide Dogs and the difference we can make.

Helping to raise awareness from a young age is important. By exploring the challenges of sight loss, we can encourage children to grow into compassionate, open-minded citizens who see the whole person, not just their condition.

We provide teachers and youth leaders with engaging educational resources and inspiring activities that tie into the curriculum, helping children and young people build understanding, empathy and confidence around sight loss.

Ready to help inspire the next generation? Follow this link to explore our resources and find out more 👉 https://bit.ly/3SOiOXn

[Visual Description: The video opens with Sara standing at a Guide Dogs children's stand, waving at the camera. As she speaks, clips of her interacting with her puppy, Seth, a yellow Labrador, are shown. She interacts with children at a school as they learn about Guide Dogs. Children listen carefully so they can learn about Guide Dogs and put their hands up to answer questions. Later, Sara and another volunteer are shown talking to a family, and clips of other volunteers play. The video ends with a screen recording showing the Learn with Guide Dogs webpage.]

"The biggest thing that I have accomplished is being the first person in my year group to walk home from school on their own without a parent." Erin.

Meet Erin, one of the stars from our latest TV ad, and head behind the scenes with us as we hear more about her biggest accomplishment 🌟

Erin has been supported by Guide Dogs since she was two years old, working with our Habilitation Specialists at key stages of her life to build her independence - from starting school and learning to use a long cane to developing the skills and confidence to try new things. When she was six, she was partnered with her buddy dog, Quince, a loyal companion who gives her extra confidence whenever she needs it.

Now 12 years old, Erin approaches life with confidence. Today, she takes the bus to school every day and walks home from the bus stop independently. Outside school, Erin enjoys a wide range of activities, from rock climbing and ballroom dancing, to even flying planes.

Your support helps make life-changing firsts possible for people with sight loss. Find out more 👉 https://bit.ly/4xzkti9

[Visual description: video opens with behind the scenes clips of Erin on set for the new Guide Dogs TV advert, Erin sitting outside talking to the camera, and Erin's mum, Sarah, sitting outside with Erin's buddy dog, Quince (yellow Labrador). The following clips show Erin walking with her long cane with a Guide Dogs Habilitation Specialist walking next to her, and then Erin walking to meet her friends at school. The video then shows Erin's mum and dad, Sarah and Anthony, standing talking to the camera, with footage of Erin sitting outside with her family, and walking outside on set. Ellie, Guide Dogs Habilitation Specialist then speaks to camera whilst behind the scenes clips of the filming are shown. The video ends with Erin speaking to the camera.]

"It makes it real. I think when you are expecting you shouldn't have to think about the things you miss out on. I think you should be on that joyful train that everybody else gets to go on." Amit, father and guide dog owner.

Yesterday, we launched First Hello - an exciting new pilot transforming traditional 2D 20-week ultrasound scans into tactile sonograms, allowing expectant parents with vision impairment to experience the joy of early parenting milestones through touch.

Share the moment as Reece and Sophy, Debbie and Jess, and Amit hold their tactile sonograms for the very first time 💛

Everybody should be able to experience pregnancy milestones in an accessible way. Find out more by visiting our website 👉 https://bit.ly/4xgkk2B

[Video description: The video contains voice over throughout. Footage opens with couple Sophy and Reece sitting side by side on a sofa in an open plan kitchen/diner setting. Sophy passes Reece a Guide Dogs branded box reading “your first hello” Jess (holding baby Freddie) and mum Debbie sit side by side on a sofa in a kitchen opening the Guide Dogs branded “First Hello” box. Amit sits in a garden chair looking into the Guide Dogs branded “First Hello” box. Guide Dogs Senior Vision Rehabilitation Specialist Kealy speaks to camera about our “First Hello” tactile 3D sonograms. Footage runs through the reactions of the people in the video - Debbie tracing the 3D sonogram with her fingers and talking to and laughing with Jess. Sophy and Reece sat closely together discussing the details Reece can feel on the 3D sonogram and Amit talking directly to camera whilst tracing the details of the sonagram and showing it to guide dog Quark. Video ends with Sophy and Reece on the sofa.]

Say hello to Nutmeg, Rudy and Bruce, our newest Sponsor a Puppy recruits! 👋

These three playful pups are taking their first steps on their journey to become life-changing guide dogs, and you can support them along the way.

Follow this link to Sponsor a Puppy for less than £2 a week, and help Nutmeg, Rudy or Bruce take their first steps to become life-changing guide dogs 👉 https://bit.ly/3SLwJNR

[Visual Description: The video is a montage of clips of Nutmeg, Rudy and Bruce at the Guide Dogs National Centre, and at their Puppy Raisers' homes. The video opens on a clip of Nutmeg, a golden retriever cross Labrador, bounding towards the camera through the grass. It then cuts to Rudy, a black Labrador cross golden retriever, lying in his dog bed and looking up at the camera. The video then cuts to Bruce, a yellow Labrador, who runs towards the camera from his dog bed. Clips of the three pups being held by Guide Dogs staff, running around the garden and playing with toys are shown. Nutmeg sniffs her snuffle mat, Rudy plays with his Puppy Raiser, and Bruce snoozes in his dog bed. The video ends with Nutmeg looking towards the camera and relaxing in her dog bed.]

Golf can wait… There are guide dogs to train! 🐾

Anton Du Beke and Chris Hughes swapped their golf clubs for training treats at the Husqvarna British Masters, learning some of the cues our future guide dogs master along the way.

Safe to say, this wasn’t your average day on the golf course! 🏌️‍♂️

[Visual Description: The video opens with Sam Bird, Chris Hughes, Anton Du Beke and Matt Wallace standing next to the trophy for the British Masters. The next clips show Anton and Chris both swinging their golf clubs to hit the ball. The video cuts to Anton and Chris working with Guide Dogs staff members, Sophie and Marie, and taking part in a dog demonstration. Anton works with Vixen, a golden Retriever cross Labrador, and Chris works with Bev, a black Labrador. Chris practices 'touch' and 'place' commands, whilst Anton rubs Vixen's belly. Mable, a yellow Labrador, and Vixen then demonstrate the 'chin rest' command. Anton and Chris check the dogs. Sophie then demonstrates how the dogs are trained to stay by the left-hand side of their owner. Chris tries out the command and walks around Vixen, and she follows. Chris tries to do 'jazz hands'. Later, Chris and Anton complete the quiz to the camera. As the voiceover asks the questions, clips of volunteers and dogs are shown. The video ends with Chris and Anton clapping and smiling at the camera.]