Guide Dogs is currently on the look-out for people in parts of Greater Manchester to take on the volunteering role of Fosterers.
The long-standing charity – which has been providing mobility, supporting research, raising awareness, and campaigning for the blind and partially sighted since 1934 – relies on the help of its network of over 14,000 volunteers across the UK to help it make a difference and improve the lives of the visually impaired, and Fosterers are a vital part of the training journey.
Guide Dogs North West – which is based at the state-of-the-art training school in Atherton – has taken to social media this week to say it’s looking for some new Fosterers to join its volunteer network in our region, and is calling on dog lovers who can commit to the important role to get in touch.
“We’re looking for people to look after our dogs during the evenings and weekends near to our centre in Atherton,” Guide Dogs North West explained.
The role of a Fosterer – which was formerly called a Boarder – is to provide a temporary home for a dog while they’re in training, and follow the Guide Dogs way in relation to the welfare and handling of the dog.
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One of the most crucial parts of the Fosterer role is being able to drop the dog off between 8-9am and pick them up between 5-6pm at a Guide Dogs site or a site near a trainers’ home each weekday, which means you will likely need to live nearby to the Atherton training centre or be fully-committed to travelling.
According to the Guide Dogs website, Fosterers will receive full training for the role and must be willing to provide a welcoming and safe environment for a dog for the time required, as a consistent home is “particularly important for our dogs in training”, as well as making sure the dogs are appropriately fed and exercised, and they carry-out the same behaviours and commands as your trainer / supervisor.
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In the event of an emergency, Fosterers will also need to make sure the dog receives veterinary care, and that Guide Dogs is informed immediately.
Guide Dogs is looking for people in parts of Greater Manchester to take on the volunteering role of Fosterers / Credit: Guide Dogs UK
Fosterers will also ideally be people who get enjoyment from working with dogs and have suitable accommodation, perseverance to help support the training of the dogs, and good communication skills too.
What will you get in return? Well, volunteering is a two-way street, so in return for your time, you’ll get a dedicated volunteer manager / key contact who will help you settle in and support you during your time with the charity, and of course, you’ll get lots of cuddles from the new four-legged friend you’ve welcomed into your home.
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This could be a chance to play your part in changing lives.
Fancy it then? You can find out more information about the role of a Fosterer and find out if you’re suitable on the Guide Dogs website here.
Featured Image – Guide Dogs
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One in 10 Brits are fired or disciplined after their work’s Christmas party, new survey finds
Emily Sergeant
We’re in peak office Christmas party season right about now.
With just under two weeks to go until the big day itself is here, many businesses across the UK are treating their staff to night out to celebrate both the festive season and all of the hard work they have been putting in throughout the year… and as you can expect, these are usually quite eventful gatherings, shall we say.
But now, a survey by has shed light on just how ‘eventful’ they actually are, as a new survey has revealed that, apparently, one in ten Brits face some sort of disciplinary action or dismissal due to their behaviour at Christmas parties.
The study was conducted by After Drink, and included more than 2,000 participants.
During the research, it was highlighted that 89% of employees admitted to drinking alcohol at these events, Lad Bible reports – with 65% of these confessing that they drank “excessively”.
One in 10 Brits get fired or disciplined after their work’s Christmas party / Credit: Kraken Images | Mimi Thian (via Unsplash)
There are a multitude of incidents which could lead to disciplinary action in the workplace nowadays, but according to the survey, some of the common reasons following festive celebrations with colleagues included inappropriate comments (23%) and even getting into fights (21%).
16% of these incidents were because of drug use during the event, while inappropriate interactions with colleagues accounted for 14%.
Some of the legal reasons you can be fired from your place of work after a Christmas party include gross misconduct, drunken behaviour, and fighting of any kind.
Despite all these risks, however, Christmas parties still remain as popular as always, and a whopping 79% of respondents said they are planning to attend theirs this year.
Clearly, the moral of the story here is , enjoy yourself… but just not too much.
Featured Image – The OurWhiskey Company (via Pexels)
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Half of Mancs don’t know how to cook Christmas dinner, new survey reveals
Emily Sergeant
Christmas dinner is one of the key parts of any festive celebration.
No matter whether you choose to tuck into a traditional roast with all the trimmings and lashings of gravy, or you prefer to go for something a little different like a curry or a Chinese instead, your Christmas dinner is a chance to gather round with your loved ones and enjoy one of the heartiest meals you’ll likely have all year.
However, some shocking new figures have revealed that half of Manchester residents have no clue how to even cook a Christmas dinner.
Through a major study by the UK’s leading electrical retailer, AO.com, it was revealed that the majority of our city’s residents are “losing confidence” in preparing even the simplest of British dishes – with a traditional roast or Christmas dinner being one of them.
A new survey has revealed that half of Mancs don’t know how to cook Christmas dinner / Credit: Freepik | GoodFon
As part of its new campaign to get Brits back into the kitchen, AO found that just 57% of respondents reckon they would be able to make a roast dinner, 52% could whip up a classic shepherd’s pie, 58% could cook bangers and mash, merely 61% could prepare a full English breakfast, and again, only 57% could tackle fish and chips.
Classic desserts are clearly a struggle for us Mancs too, according to the survey, as only 19% of respondents said they’d feel confident cooking a Christmas pudding.
The survey also found that nationwide, it was Gen Z – those between the age of 16 and 27 – that are the least confident in their ability to cook great British classics, while on the other end of the spectrum, Baby Boomers are the most capable, proving that culinary confidence increases with age.
Our region’s residents are apparently ‘losing confidence’ at cooking simple British classics / Credit: Freepik
Commenting on the results, Jay Lockton, oven expert at AO.com, said: “Kitchens should be a place of creativity and joy, but our data shows that a lot of people in Manchester are losing confidence in preparing even the simplest of British dishes.
“Based on our findings, many younger people may be opting for convenience foods or takeaways due to their busy schedules and the perception that cooking from scratch is time-consuming or difficult.
Emily Sergeant -
9th March 2022 
