- National Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
- Relies purely on voluntary donations of the public.
Gill Southgate came to talk to us about Guide Dogs for the Blind, bringing her black Labrador, Brian, with her.
The National Guide Dogs for the Blind Association was established nearly 80 years ago and the local branch 30 years ago, providing training for the dogs and for their blind and partially–sighted owners.
Usually guide dogs work for around six and a half years before they retire and each guide dog owner only pays 50p for their dog so that everybody who needs a dog can afford to have one, although the dog’s lifetime costs can be as much as £40,000 to the Association.
Gill has been blind for 18 years, following a car accident. She had been working as a dental assistant. It was obviously impossible to continue with this career, so she trained to be an audio typist. However, at that time employers wouldn’t accept disabled people in the workplace.
Gill went to Torquay to train with the RNIB learning keyboard and switchboard skills but also working on a production line, doing woodwork and pottery. She learnt to read Braille and to use a Braille machine and to use a long cane. She came home to Sutton Bridge and found the cane was enough to help her get around her local area.
Then she was off to London for an 8 week course at the RNIB College to complete her training and that allowed her to get a job at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. She has been employed as a medical secretary at the Hospital ever since. She is married and has two children.
It was when she came to King’s Lynn that she was given her first Guide Dog after a 6 month wait and more training this time at the training area, Leamington Spa. Gill went on to tell members more about her dogs and how they and she were trained.
Her first dog, Ruby worked for 11 years, her second one Lady for 12 years, much longer than usual. The guide dog service receives no government funding and so depends on public donation. Another wonderful service relying on people’s generosity. More information on the National Guide Dogs for the Blind Association website.