Specsavers offers the homeless free eye and ear care at 1,000 stores
Specsavers has launched a new initiative offering free eye and ear care to anyone experiencing homelessness at all 1,000 of its UK and Irish stores.
Through the Charity VIP scheme, people experiencing homelessness can walk into a store for a free sight test, glasses, hearing check, hearing aid, wax removal, or other hearing protection, and it will be funded by Specsavers where NHS provision does not apply.
Subscribe to TRBSpecsavers first began offering free care to people experiencing homelessness three years ago. Until now, services had been delivered through pop-up clinics, out-of-hours sessions and domiciliary visits, working with Crisis, Big Issue, Vision Care, Simon Community, Focus Ireland and Every Youth. Since then, the programme has provided free eye and ear care to more than 7,000 people through a £3 million investment.
New research from Specsavers suggests one in three people experiencing homelessness has a sight issue, and 44% have either never had an eye test or have not had one in five years or more.
Despite two-thirds being eligible for NHS-funded eye care, many homeless people still face barriers such as proof of address requirements, limited access to phones or email, and concerns about cost.
Specsavers has also made homelessness awareness training mandatory across its store network.
Carina Hummel, managing director of optics at Specsavers, said: “At Specsavers our purpose is to change lives through better sight and hearing by making care accessible and affordable for everyone.
“We understand that people affected by homelessness are at higher risk of eye and hearing problems yet encounter major barriers when trying to access care.
“We’re thrilled to be expanding our Charity VIP service across the UK and Ireland, which provides a free, and judgement free service for people to access eye and ear care.”
