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Measuring our Social Impact
Social Impact is the positive change that individuals, communities, and societies experience as a result of for-purpose programs and activities.
At Guide Dogs NSW/ACT we are committed to designing and delivering services which enrich the lives of our Clients through enablement and understanding of a Client’s needs. As part of this commitment, we are implementing a new initiative to understand the social impact our programs and services are providing for our Clients.
Social Impact is the positive change that individuals, communities, and societies experience as a result of for-purpose programs and activities. The wide range of personalised, evidence-based services offered by Guide Dogs both cause and contribute to positive social impact.
This year Guide Dogs Australia through state-based plans will begin collecting data to better understand the depth and extent of their impact.

To measure our Social Impact, a collection of tools and processes will come into action from February 2023 in NSW/ACT. These include:
- Using measurement tools
- Surveying Clients and their families and caregivers
- Interviewing Clients individually or in groups.
By participating in these new data collection activities, you will help us:
- Understand if we are achieving our intended outcomes.
- Communicate our social impact to our donors and funders.
- Provide insights to support our strategic decision making and service improvement.
- Communicate the breadth and depth of Guide Dogs’ work.
Contributing to the ultimate goal of Guide Dogs, that people with low vision and blindness can live the life they want.
In 2023 the Social Impact measurement data collection will focus on understanding the social impact of Guide Dogs’ work on Clients 15 years and older, as well as their families and/or caregivers. It is based on the seven outcome domains listed below. Together, outcomes achieved in these domains contribute to the ultimate goal of Guide Dogs, that people with low vision and blindness can live the life they want.
- Day to Day Life
- Getting Out and About
- Feeling Good
- Meaningful Activities
- Relationship and Connection
- Choice
- Living the live you want
All Social Impact measurement activities are:
- Completely voluntary
- Confidential with no individual responses published without client consent.
