SPECSAVERS OPENS FREE EYE AND HEARING CARE ACROSS 1,000 STORES FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
SPECSAVERS EXPANDS FREE HEALTHCARE ACCESS AFTER SUPPORTING MORE THAN 7,000 HOMELESS PEOPLE
Specsavers is expanding its homelessness support programme across the UK and Ireland, giving people affected by homelessness access to free sight tests, glasses and hearing care through its 1,000-store network.
Specsavers has launched a new scheme providing free eye and ear care to people experiencing homelessness across its 1,000 stores in the UK and Ireland.
The Charity VIP scheme allows anyone affected by homelessness to approach a participating Specsavers store for services including a free sight test, glasses, hearing check, hearing aid, wax removal and hearing protection. Specsavers will fund treatment where NHS provision does not apply.
The nationwide expansion follows three years of work by the optical and audiology group to improve access to healthcare for people experiencing homelessness. Specsavers says more than 7,000 people have received free eye and ear care through the programme to date, representing an investment of more than £3 million.
Care has previously been delivered through pop-up clinics, out-of-hours sessions and domiciliary visits in partnership with organisations including Crisis, Big Issue, Vision Care, Simon Community, Focus Ireland and Every Youth.
ONE IN THREE REPORTED TO HAVE A SIGHT ISSUE
The expansion addresses what Specsavers says is a significant gap in access to routine healthcare.
Research cited by the company suggests that one in three people experiencing homelessness has a sight issue, while 44% have either never received an eye test or have not had one for at least five years.
Despite two-thirds being eligible for NHS-funded eye care, practical barriers can prevent people from accessing services. These can include requirements for proof of address, limited access to phones or email and concerns about potential costs.
Specsavers says almost three-quarters of people affected by homelessness who attend its eye-health clinics require glasses, while an average of 20% are found to have a condition requiring treatment.
HEARING CARE REVEALS FURTHER HEALTH NEEDS
The company’s experience of providing hearing care has also identified potentially significant unmet demand.
Among those accessing hearing services through the scheme, Specsavers reports that 89% have experienced ear pain or discomfort and 86% have experienced buzzing, which can be associated with hearing loss.
One in ten has required referral to a hospital or GP, compared with what Specsavers describes as a 3.7% average among its high-street customers.
Separately, 57% of Big Issue vendors surveyed did not know where they could access audiology support.
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.”
1,000 STORES RECEIVE HOMELESSNESS AWARENESS TRAINING
Alongside expanding access to treatment, Specsavers has made homelessness awareness training mandatory throughout its store network.
The training is intended to help employees understand some of the circumstances and barriers facing people experiencing homelessness and ensure they feel welcome when seeking care.
Making services available through established high-street locations could also remove some of the practical obstacles associated with specialist clinics by integrating support into Specsavers’ existing healthcare infrastructure.
The programme illustrates how a large consumer-facing healthcare network can use its physical footprint to widen access to services for groups that may otherwise struggle to navigate conventional provision.
FROM HOMELESSNESS TO REBUILDING A CAREER
Among those highlighting the importance of the programme is Dimple Rama, who experienced homelessness on three occasions.
Rama was told as a teenager that she needed glasses but went without them while experiencing homelessness at the ages of 17, 21 and 24, prioritising accommodation and food.
She has since rebuilt her life, working in real estate for an AI company and fostering rescue dogs, while using her experiences to raise awareness of barriers to healthcare.
“I’ve met many people who had glasses for the wrong prescription, or who needed glasses but didn’t have them, and were struggling because of it,” she said.
“It’s important for everyone to be able to access these services in a safe place and to see the world clearly.”
For Specsavers, moving the Charity VIP initiative from targeted outreach into its national store infrastructure represents a significant scaling of the programme. Having already invested more than £3 million and supported more than 7,000 people, the company is now seeking to make access to eye and hearing care a routine part of its response to homelessness.
