As a sighted guide you will provide invaluable assistance throughout the holiday. In many cases, you will be explaining your surroundings, which might be the art in a gallery or the panoramic view from the top of a hill.

On some holidays, such as relaxing beach holidays or leisurely sightseeing holidays, there will be no specific skills needed. On other breaks, a higher level of skill may be required, for instance if you choose an activity break such as skiing, sailing or tandem-biking.

Most of our holidays have a 1:1 ratio of sighted guide to visually impaired person but this may differ depending on the nature of the activity. Our aim is to ensure maximum participation in the holiday for everyone.
 

Guiding a visually impaired person

When guiding a visually impaired person for the first time, sighted people are often nervous. Although guiding can be demanding there is nothing to worry about - our Holiday Leader, other sighted guides, and the visually impaired holidaymakers, will all be willing to offer advice and support to you in the various aspects of guiding.

You will guide throughout the holiday, from meeting the group until departure. The group leader will arrange a rota, so you will guide different people during the holiday. This enables everyone to get to know each other.
 

Different types of sight loss

It is important to be aware that there are different degrees of visual impairment, from no vision at all, to blotches before the eyes, to being able to distinguish shapes and light. Certain eye conditions mean that residual vision can change according to the light; someone who needs very little guiding in shade may suddenly be totally blind when moving into bright sunshine.

Some people have been blind since birth, others may have lost their sight as the result of an accident or have gradually lost their sight over a number of years. It often helps you to guide more effectively if you are aware of the degree of vision of the person you are guiding, so don’t be afraid to ask.
 

Other assistance

As well as guiding, the Holiday Leader may ask the guides to help out with other aspects of the trip, if appropriate, such as organising luggage or helping people with onward travel arrangements at the end of the trip.
 

Accommodation

Most of the accommodation on Vitalise Holidays is in twin rooms, so you will probably share a room with a visually impaired person, and perhaps their guide dog. However, if you have a partner or friend you would like to share with, or if you need to have a single room, please let us know at the time of booking as we may be able to assist.
 

Guide dogs

On many UK and some overseas holidays, visually impaired people will choose to bring their guide dog. When a visually impaired holidaymaker is accompanied by a guide dog, it is important to clarify with them whether they wish to be guided or not.
 
As a general rule when a guide dog is in harness it is 'on duty' and guiding its owner. If the dog is on a lead, then it is 'off duty' and the owner will usually require assistance from a sighted guide. In this case, many guide dog owners prefer you to guide from their right side and have the dog on their left.

Please do not treat guide dogs as pets by feeding them tit-bits or throwing sticks for them to chase.

Supporting you

We supply sighted guides with guidance notes before every holiday and our Frequently Asked Questions page also has the answers to many queries you might have.

If you have any further questions or queries (however embarrassing you feel they are!) please email the Holidays team or call us for a chat on 0845 330 0149.

If you would like to practice guiding before booking that two week holiday of a lifetime, then our Vitalise Holidays Weekends are held throughout the year and are a great introduction to what we're all about. Check the Upcoming Holidays to find out when the next weekends take place.
 

Service enhancement

Sighted guides participating in Vitalise Holidays are asked to undergo a check from the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). This system has been implemented to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy their holiday in a safe environment and brings Vitalise Holidays into line with the policy of Vitalise as a whole. All guides without a current CRB check will be asked to complete the appropriate forms once they have made a holiday booking.

For more information on CRB checks visit the Criminal Records Bureau website