Help make our 2026 conference accessible: Become a sighted guide
What if a few hours of your time could transform someone’s conference experience? Sighted guide volunteers are being recruited to support blind and partially sighted delegates at this year’s Sight Loss Council Conference, taking place from 5-7 June 2026 at Hilton Leeds City.
The annual event brings together more than 100 volunteers from across the UK to explore key issues affecting blind and partially sighted people – and sighted guides play a crucial role in ensuring the weekend is accessible, enjoyable, and fully inclusive. No previous experience is required. The deadline for applications is 19 April.
Sight Loss Councils, funded by Thomas Pocklington Trust, are regional groups led by blind and partially sighted volunteers. We use our lived experience to shape inclusive services, influence decisions, and ensure accessibility in local communities. To help make this conference accessible, enjoyable, and smoothly run, we are looking for Sighted Guide Volunteers to support delegates throughout the weekend.
The sighted guide role
Sighted guiding is a safe and effective method of supporting someone with a vision impairment to move confidently through an environment. As a Sighted Guide Volunteer, you will assist blind or partially sighted delegates with navigating the venue and participating fully in conference activities.
Your support may include:
- guiding delegates between workshops, meals, sessions, and awards events
- helping people locate facilities, rooms, or equipment
- supporting delegates in unfamiliar environments
- assisting with travel around the venue or nearby areas
- helping delegates find other attendees or staff
- providing general sighted support as needed throughout the conference.
You may find the video ‘So, how do you guide a blind person’ useful prior to volunteering with Thomas Pocklington Trust, but full sighted guide training will be provided before the event.
Conference delegates during a round-table discussion
How you will make a difference
Your support ensures that blind and partially sighted volunteers can take part fully and independently in the conference. You will play a key role in:
- Enabling delegates to move confidently and safely around the venue
- Helping the event run smoothly from start to finish
- Creating a welcoming, inclusive environment for everyone attending
This is a special event that brings people together — and you will be an important part of making that happen.
Skills, experience, and qualities needed.
No previous experience is required. We welcome volunteers who are:
- Friendly, approachable, and great with people
- Confident communicators
- Calm, patient, and good listeners
- Reliable, with strong time‑management skills
- Comfortable being around assistance dogs
- Mobile enough to guide another person safely
All necessary training will be provided, including sighted guiding techniques.
How the role will benefit you
Volunteering as a Sighted Guide offers a unique and rewarding experience. You will gain:
- A deeper understanding of sight loss and disability
- The chance to directly support BPS volunteers in their work
- Opportunities to network with volunteers and staff from across the UK
- The chance to observe and learn from conference workshops
- Access to formal sighted guide training
Level of commitment
For the 2026 conference, we are looking for volunteers who can support on: Friday 5th June (PM), Saturday 6th June (AM, or PM) and/or Sunday 7th June (AM) 2026 at The Hilton Leeds City, Leeds.
You may volunteer for part or all of the weekend. Flexibility is appreciated, as support needs may vary across sessions.
Learning requirements
Before volunteering, you will need to complete:
- Sighted Guiding training
- Safeguarding and Health and Safety training
- A pre‑conference briefing
Want to apply?
To apply or find out more, contact the volunteering team by 19 April at:
volunteering@pocklington-trust.org.uk
Be part of something meaningful – support our volunteers and help make the 2026 conference a welcoming, accessible, and empowering event.
Conference delegates at staff at a recent conference.
Publication date: 01 April 2026