Guide Dogs and the National Blind Children’s Society (NBCS) are forging a stronger partnership so they can deliver more to children and young people who are blind or partially sighted.

The two organisations have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) so they can combine their experience, knowledge and skills to enable visually impaired children and young people to reach their full potential.

The two charities believe they share the same aims and values. Guide Dogs aims to support blind and partially sighted people to get out and about on their own terms, with the same freedom of movement as everyone else, and NBCS wants a world where children and young people with visual impairment have equal opportunities to those of sighted children.

NBCS Chief Executive Carolyn Fullard said: “This is very positive for the National Blind Children’s Society. We feel strongly that working together with Guide Dogs we can make a real difference to the many families with young people who need our help.”

Guide Dogs Chief Executive Richard Leaman said: “We know from our years of experience that children who are blind or partially sighted often lack the confidence they need to live a full and active life. This really doesn’t have to be the case – with the right support they can develop all the skills they need and parents can learn just what’s possible for their child. It’s a bright vision and this partnership will really help us work towards it.”

Guide Dogs has been working with children and young people for almost 20 years through local authority contracts, supporting and teaching children in mobility skills. NBCS was set up in 1995 to help children achieve their educational and recreational goals through a comprehensive programme of family support, recreational activities, large-print books and specialist information.

Under the terms of the MoU both organisations will remain independent entities and both will be free to pursue joint working with other organisations which can help them to reach their goals