Co-op Live and Guide Dogs have joined forces to further improve the experience of visitors with sight loss, through specialist staff training and a unique socialisation visit for future guide dogs.
This week, the arena welcomed Guide Dogs to deliver tailored Sighted Guide training to accessibility and front-of-house teams. The hands-on session further equipped staff with practical skills and confidence to effectively guide and support people with sight loss, ensuring a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
Bringing the training to life, a group of guide dog puppies and their volunteer puppy raisers also visited the arena. The visit formed part of the puppies’ early socialisation, helping them build confidence in a large, busy venue setting they may encounter in their future working lives.
Alongside the training, Co-op Live staff gained valuable insight into best practice when supporting visitors accompanied by a guide dog, reinforcing the venue’s commitment to accessibility at every stage of the visitor journey.
With around 250 people losing their sight every day in the UK, Guide Dogs is working in partnership with organisations like Co-op Live to remove barriers and ensure people with sight loss can enjoy the same experiences and environments as everyone else.
As the UK’s only music-first arena and Europe’s largest indoor venue of its kind, Co-op Live has been designed with accessibility in mind. Features include step-free access to all floors, varied accessible viewing platforms, a designated respite room, and facilities to support assistance dogs.
Through this collaboration, Co-op Live and Guide Dogs are continuing to build on these foundations, working together to create an even more inclusive and accessible experience for visitors with sight loss.
Guy Dunstan, General Manager at Co-op Live, said:
“At Co-op Live, we want every visitor to feel confident, comfortable and welcome from the moment they arrive. Working with Guide Dogs UK offers an incredibly valuable opportunity for our teams to better understand the needs of people with sight loss and strengthen the support we provide across the venue.
“As a purpose-built arena with accessibility at its heart, partnerships like this help us create a truly inclusive live entertainment experience that everyone can enjoy.”
Sharon Swarbrick, Sighted Guide Training Officer at Guide Dogs, said:
“Concerts are for everyone, and it’s fantastic to be working alongside Co-op Live as they take proactive steps to make their venue even more accessible for visitors with sight loss.
“This training gives staff the skills and confidence to offer the right support, such as guiding visitors to their seats or facilities, helping to ensure a stress-free and enjoyable experience from the moment they arrive.”
During their visit, 12 guide dog puppies explored the sights, sounds and smells of the arena, experiencing a new environment in a safe and supportive setting.
Andrea Deller, Puppy Development Supervisor at Guide Dogs, said:
“Early socialisation is vital in helping puppies learn to navigate unfamiliar situations calmly and confidently. Co-op Live provides a fantastic real-world training environment that they may encounter as future guide dogs.
“Each puppy approached the experience with curiosity, and our volunteer Puppy Raisers did a brilliant job supporting them and helping to build their confidence.”
Guy Dunstan, General Manager at Co-op Live, added:
“It’s a pleasure to welcome the Guide Dogs UK team and their puppies to Co-op Live this week. Seeing the aspiring guide dogs experience the arena environment first-hand highlights the importance of early socialisation and the incredible work the charity does to support people with sight loss.
“The Sighted Guide training has also given our staff practical skills, helping us continue to improve the experience we offer to all visitors attending events at the venue.”
Guide Dogs is currently looking for more puppy raiser volunteers in Greater Manchester, who can provide a home for a puppy and support them in their early development.
Organisations and community groups can also sign up for Sighted Guide training to help better support people with sight loss in their own environments.
For more information on how you can support Guide Dogs click here