Vision Care for Homeless People marks 20 year anniversary

Vision Care for Homeless People (VCHP) has supported more than 18,000 homeless people through its regional clinics, providing sight tests and spectacles, since its establishment two decades ago.

The charity’s founders and supporters gathered in London’s Salesforce Tower on 29 September to mark the 20th anniversary milestone. The venue provided a bird’s eye view of the first clinic, in the Crisis Centre, East London.

Speaking at the event, VCHP founder, Elaine Styles, expressed how pleased she was that the charity, with the support of Specsavers, would grow from seven to 24 clinics in the near future.

Styles said: “Our humble beginnings and shared vision to provide eye care for homeless and vulnerable people in the UK has grown beyond our wildest dreams. Our deepest gratitude goes to the countless volunteers and supporters who have selflessly dedicated their time, skills, and resources to this noble cause. Each has played an indispensable role in transforming the lives of those in need.”

Styles highlighted that the charity’s work has provided both “hope and dignity to individuals who often find themselves forgotten and marginalised.”

“By giving homeless people the gift of sight, we have opened new windows of opportunity, allowing them to envision a brighter future,” she added.

At the event, the charity confirmed that general manager, David Brown, who has been at the charity for eight years, would step into a new role to concentrate on new clinic development and advocacy, while the day-to-day running of the organisation will be led by newly appointed chief executive, Hannah Telfer.