18 October 2017
Vision Care for Homeless People (VCHP) is on a volunteer drive for optometrists and dispensing opticians to lend their time this Christmas.
The annual event takes place over seven days in London and offers homeless people access to a range of services, including the opticians, dentist and hairdressers.
Last year, VCHP tested the sight of hundreds of people, dispensing 289 pairs of spectacles and referring 22 people.
The charity has been taking part in the Crisis event for 14 years. Relying on practitioners to volunteer their time, as well as donations of equipment from industry, the charity is seeking domiciliary kit to use across various London-based clinics.
Chair of VCHP, optometrist Elaine Styles, said: “Each Christmas, the generous optical industry comes to our aid, lending us domiciliary testing equipment, donating frames and supplies, and glazing spectacles. This December we are looking to provide a comprehensive service for what is, sadly, a growing homeless population in our capital.”
During the week, temporary sight test clinics will be set up, with six teams of VCHP volunteers established to offer services at various Crisis centres across London.
The charity welcomes volunteer optometrists, dispensing opticians, ophthalmologists, optical assistants and optometry students.
For more information on volunteering, visit the Crisis website.