Optometry Students benefit from charity partnership

Guide Dogs logo
Optometry Students have been working with a charity to learn how to assist visually impaired people to build their confidence and regain their independence.

Helen Sismore, from the charity Guide Dogs, was approached by Optometry students at the end of last year and a partnership was then set up by Dr Keziah Latham, Senior Lecturer.

Helen has now delivered level 1 and level 2 of My Guide training, which teaches awareness of visual impairment and sighted guiding techniques to optometry students through theory and practical activities on a range of subjects such as eye health, navigating and communication.

Natasha Tetlow, one of the students involved in setting up the partnership, said:

"The main reason for completing level 1 was to allow me to make a sight impaired person's visit to the opticians a comfortable and enjoyable experience. Being able to guide an individual around a busy shop-floor into a small consulting room without this training would have been very difficult indeed.

"The Level 2 training I have completed will allow me to help out in the community, enabling those who are isolated to find their confidence and help them learn how to get out and about independently. "

The training also means that there are more people on campus who have the experience and ability to assist any person with visual impairment in travelling around the campus.

Dr Latham said:

"Our partnership with Guide Dogs has been really valuable in raising the confidence levels of our optometry students in assisting visually impaired people, and all of the students have given very positive feedback about their experience of the training. I've also been delighted to be able to see the students putting the training into action, and confidently guiding VIPs (visually impaired people) around the new University Eye Clinic."

Natasha addd:

"The Camsight My Guide trainers are all wonderful and extremely knowledgeable about their field. In my opinion, it has been an invaluable, learning experience."

30 students have already been trained and the department hopes to make the opportunity an on-going arrangement, ensuring students continue to gain both knowledge and experience in the area.

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