Whether you're completely new to sighted guiding or a Vitalise Holidays regular, we hope you find these tips useful.

• Remember that sight loss takes many forms and is not always total, so don't be afraid to ask a visually impaired person the extent of their vision loss and how they like to be guided. This will enable you to offer appropriate help so both you and the person you are guiding gain the maximum benefit.
  
  
• Always introduce yourself by name when meeting a visually impaired member of the group. A light touch on the arm will indicate that you are addressing them if you do not know their name. Also, remember to tell the person when you leave, after you have made sure that they do not require further assistance from you.
  
  
• Remember to communicate hazards ahead, such as changing ground conditions, steps and kerbs ahead – and whether these are upwards or downwards –and other obstacles.
  
  
• If a visually impaired person has a guide dog in harness, then the dog is working, so please do not distract or interfere with the dog, without checking with the guide dog owner first.
  
  
• Try to make instructions clear and concise and avoid visual instructions such as ‘over there,’ whilst pointing.
  
  
• Give the visually impaired person time to hold your guiding arm securely before moving off, and remember to ask them if they are ready before you move.
  
  
• Watch out for hazards which are above you, as this is easy to forget, especially if the person you are guiding is taller than you.
  
  
• Travel at the pace of the person you are guiding.
  
  
• Think about your safety and that of the person you are guiding at all times.
  
  

If in doubt…just ask!