If so, you are just the person the national charity, Guide Dogs, is looking for.

For many people, the beginning of a new year is a time to start again, to make changes and do the things differently.

So if you’re up for a new adventure in 2022 and want to help people with sight loss then perhaps you will consider volunteering with Guide Dogs this year.

The charity is urgently appealing for new volunteers to sign up as puppy raisers. This means looking after future guide dogs for the first year of their lives, socialising them and giving them a loving home. It’s a hugely rewarding role with lots of support and training on offer, plus you will meet lots of new people in your area also raising pups.

Maria Cassidy, a current puppy raiser says: “When we applied to be puppy raisers six years ago we never anticipated loving this role as much as we do. We are currently puppy raising pup number six and can honestly say that we are addicted to it!

“Many people make comments about ‘how can you give up the pup or give it back?’ our remark is that seeing what a difference it makes to the guide dog owners that we have met is the reason why we continue to love this volunteer role and try to make our pups the best they can be.”

There are around two million people living with sight loss in the UK. Guide Dogs supports people with a visual impairment to maintain their independence and live the life they choose.

If puppy raising sounds like something you or someone you know would be interested in doing or you’d like more information please go to www.guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer or call the volunteering team on 0345 143 0191.