Volunteer as a Sighted Guide at the Retina UK Annual Conference 2026
Location: Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre, Birmingham
Date: Saturday 19 September 2026
Time: 9:00am to 4:30pm
Are you friendly, reliable, and looking for a rewarding volunteering opportunity?
Retina UK is looking for Sighted Guide Volunteers to support blind and partially sighted attendees at our Annual Conference 2026. This important role helps ensure that everyone can access the event safely, confidently, and independently.
What You'll Do
As a Sighted Guide Volunteer, you will:
- Welcome and support attendees throughout the day.
- Provide sighted guiding assistance to blind and partially sighted delegates.
- Help attendees navigate the venue and locate conference rooms, facilities, and refreshment areas.
- Support people moving between sessions and activities.
- Assist with wayfinding both inside and outside the venue.
- Occasionally support attendees arriving from University Station or other agreed meeting points.
- Provide other reasonable event support as requested by Retina UK staff.
No previous sighted guiding experience is required. Guidance, training, and support will be provided.
What We're Looking For:
We're looking for volunteers who are:
- Friendly, approachable, and dependable.
- Comfortable communicating with a wide range of people.
- Willing to learn basic sighted guiding techniques.
- Able to work well as part of a team.
- Respectful of confidentiality and privacy.
- Aged 16 or over.
What You'll Gain:
By volunteering, you will:
- Make a real difference to people living with inherited sight loss.
- Gain valuable experience supporting a national charity event.
- Develop communication, teamwork, and customer service skills.
- Learn more about accessibility and sight loss.
- Meet new people and become part of the Retina UK community.
Support Provided
All volunteers will receive:
- A pre-event briefing.
- Sighted guide guidance and support.
- A named supervisor during the event.
- Safeguarding and welfare support where required
Please note that this is not a paid opportunity. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.
Interested?
Join us for a rewarding day and help make the Retina UK Annual Conference an accessible and welcoming experience for all.
Pay: From £1.00 per year
Work Location: In person
