Name Norman Lidbury
Location Merseyside United Kingdom
what does the local guides programme mean for me? I have been gradually losing my eyesight over the past 20 years or so. In 2014, I had to surrender my driving licence. As you can see from the photo, I like to get into the countryside with my dog. The only way I can do this now is to use public transport.
i quickly discovered the routing information on Maps. This enables me to have the confidence to be able to travel to new and unknown parts of the country on my own.
I became a local guide when I was at my local bus stop, and after discovering the “are you here now” button, it led me into the world of local guides. This interested me very much, as other people with sight impairments may also be using Maps to find their way around. It was then that I started filling in the blanks in my own area so that anyone using the information would have accurate guidance.
My favourite thing to explore. I like to find new routes from one public transport hub (usually a railway station) to another. I then explore the transport options using Maps, both to see how to get there and back. I then download the routes from the Ornance Survey (Maps does not have this feature - yet) and download a .gpx file into my satellite navigator. Once I have recconoitered the route, I enter into my local Ramblers programme of walks, and then lead groups of fully sighted people over fields, moorlands and mountains.
‘The confidence Maps gives me to do this is if I have a problem and have to abort the route, I only have to say to my phone “hey google, get me a public transport route home” and I know I can safely arrive.
Fun fact about me.
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I’m a volunteer with my local hospital group- St Helens & Knowsley NHS. My dog, Megan, is a Therapy dog, and we both work every Thursday in the Seddon Suite at St Helens Hospital where people are rehabilitating from brain injuries.
