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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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
Trending
Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
You can now have a private sleepover amongst all the history inside Manchester Museum
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Museum is now offering one lucky family the chance to have a sleepover with Stan the Tyrannosaurus rex.
For the first time in Manchester Museum’s history, one lucky family will be given the chance to experience an incredible night at the museum.
This unique opportunity is being offered as part of a prize draw, allowing visitors to find out what happens once the sun goes down inside the Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery – in the company of Stan, the famous Tyrannosaurus rex, of course.
The Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery is one of the most iconic spaces within Manchester Museum.
Having opened to the public all the way back in 1888, it’s part of the museum’s original building designed by celebrated Alfred Waterhouse, who also designed Manchester Town Hall and London’s Natural History Museum.
Not only will the lucky winning family enjoy an overnight stay in the gallery, but they’ll also be treated to a guided torchlight tour of the galleries after the Museum has closed, as well as other fun activities and a film screening too before bed.
You can now have a private sleepover inside Manchester Museum / Credit: The Manc Group
“We can’t be completely sure what happens when the sun goes down in our Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery, because nobody has ever spent the night in there before, but we can only imagine the kind of fun that can be had with Stan the T. rex and his friends,” said Dean Whiteside, Head of Commercial and Operations at Manchester Museum.
“This is a chance to be a part of museum history and enjoy the kind of once-in-a-lifetime experience you can’t usually buy.
“At the same time, Manchester Museum is a charity so, by getting behind this initiative, you’ll be helping to support vital work that impacts the lives of people across Greater Manchester and beyond.”
Fancy it then? You can enter the prize draw by buying a ticket for £5 from the Manchester Museum Shop, with each ticket counting as one entry and the winner set to be chosen at random from all valid entries.
The prize draw is now open and closes on Monday 28 September 2026.
Emily Sergeant -
9th March 2022 
