Author/Campaigner

Verity in a red dress and sunglasses reading a brail book, they are sitting on the floor next to Luna her guide dog. Luna is reading The Groper's Guide. A sofa and decorative pillows are in the background.

Author

‘The Groper's Guide' gives an eye opening insight into the hidden world of the unseen, in which the wonders of Verity’s world are bumped into, tripped over, scratched, sniffed and fallen in love with. The book gives a humorous account of the travels and tribulations that she experiences while growing up as a blind explorer, whose perspective of the world adds a new dimension to an already colourful planet. We follow her journey through a wonderland and watch (just as they did for Alice), things for Verity become ‘curiouser and curiouser'.

“The Groper’s Guide is true to the image of its author: energetic, droll, extraordinarily gifted and, above all, immensely courageous. It tells with intelligence, vivacity and considerable talent, an inspirational tale of one woman’s determination to lead a manifold and successful career in the face of a severe handicap. A career in such diverse fields as sport, theatre and music. In addition she has accomplished the feat of writing her amazing story with lightness, perspicacity and wit.” - Ivan Nabokov April 18th 2014

Book cover featuring an illustration of a person with a cat gazing at a colorful sky. Text reads "The Groper's Guide" by Verity Smith.

Audiobook version available for Free download here by registering on the RNIB website.

HuffPost logo in black and green.

Writer for Huffington Post

A Drive-by Blessing story on HuffPost

Daily Stoic logo with the text "Ancient Wisdom for Everyday Life" and a circular emblem featuring four symbols.

Articles for The Daily Stoic

Campaigner

Ambassador for Nature’s Safe

Person standing at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro with a sign marking Uhuru Peak. The sign displays the elevation of 5895 meters (19,341 feet). The person is equipped with hiking gear and holds a trekking pole, surrounded by rocky terrain under a clear blue sky.
A woman reaching out to touch a rhinoceros in a grassy, tree-dotted landscape.
Nature's Safe logo featuring stylized icons of a rhinoceros, a sperm and egg, and a snowflake.

Ambassador at Frederic Gallainne

Verity is an ambassador for the French foundation Frederic Gallainne

The Frédéric Gaillanne Foundation is the first guide dog training school in Europe exclusively dedicated to blind and visually impaired children aged 12 to 18.

Two women standing on a red-carpeted stage giving a presentation, with a large screen in the background displaying an equestrian image and the text "Orchester nos Talents - Verity Smith." Two dogs lie on the stage floor.
Guide dog in harness with handler outdoors, close-up view.

Champions of Purpose

Black and white image featuring a person identified as Verity Smith, a blind dressage rider, supported by The Athlete Media Group. Text highlights 'Champion of Purpose' and features a Guide Dogs logo.

Nationwide billboard campaign by Athlete’s Media Group to promote the different causes and charities that athletes support.

Beat the Blindfold Campaign

Person in riding outfit wearing a blindfold, holding a sign with "#BeatTheBlindfold," standing beside a guide dog in a fluorescent vest.

Creator and force behind the BeatTheBlindfold Campaign, launched in 2015, in order to overturn the blindfold ruling for blind Para dressage riders. Although the ruling was not changed in time for her to go to Rio, through her efforts it was changed and ratified in November 2016.

Founder of Charity Association Equipe Verity

Silhouette logo of a person riding a horse alongside a service dog, with text 'Association Equipe Verity' below.

Verity founded Equipe Verity the non profit organisation in 2016 . The charity focuses on equitherapy, working with schools and companies to educate and inform on the topic of diversity and inclusion whilst celebrating the ability in disability.

A woman sitting at the front of a group of children, speaking into a microphone. Next to her is a guide dog wearing a harness. The setting appears to be a gymnasium with gymnastics equipment, and a red and white Nîmes promotional backdrop.

Access for dogs on Planes

A person wearing sunglasses and a jacket is happily walking down steps with a black guide dog. The dog wears a harness indicating it is a service animal. The person is giving a thumbs-up gesture.

Access for guide dogs on Trains

A large brown dog sitting on green grass near blooming yellow daffodils in a park setting.

Verity campaigned for guide dog access in Sweden

Link to Article

“Blind prejudice in Scandinavia”

Verity attended the signing of The High Street Charter at the House of Lords

A charter instrumental in promoting the education of retail security regarding accessibility for guide dogs.

Historic chamber with ornate golden interior, filled with people seated on red benches, engaged in discussion.

At the age of 17, Verity also campaigned to get brail on Tampax machines in British airports after an embarrassing incident where she mistakenly bought a pack of blackcurrant condoms...