16 April 2025
More than 200 people experiencing homelessness have received free glasses as part of a year-long Specsavers and Vision Care for Homeless People (VCHP) pilot.
The pilot saw spectacles dispensed in 16 homeless centres, in York, Scarborough, Huddersfield, Bradford, Wakefield, Bridlington, and Leeds.
In total, 271 people received eye care, with 231 benefiting from new glasses.
The work was carried out by optometrists from Specsavers’ Bradford and York Home Visits teams.
Pop-up clinics were set up in homeless centres, with a focus on maintaining eye health and vision and detecting broader eye issues.
Heather Dalton, optometry director at Specsavers Bradford 2 Home Visits, said: “As optometrists, our role is to improve lives through better vision. We understand the impact that untreated vision or undetected eye conditions can have on a person’s well-being.
“Having the opportunity to be part of the solution for people experiencing homelessness across Yorkshire has been inspiring, as we’ve seen people regain their confidence and witnessed the immediate impact something so simple as a pair of glasses can have on a person’s life.”
Attendees suffering from common eye conditions received products from Huddersfield-based business The Body Doctor, which had donated products free of charge.
Engaging Yorkshire’s homeless population with eye care
13%
of those seen as part of the Specsavers and VCHP pilot had never had an eye test
31%
hadn’t had an eye test for more than five years
44%
felt an eye test wasn’t a priority due to their circumstances
56%
said they had lost or broken their glasses, or had them stolen
85%
of individuals supported by the pilot received glasses
19%
were entitled to NHS home visits
The pilot took place from March 2024 to March 2025.
Hannah Telfer, chief executive of VCHP, said that the ‘innovative’ approach of bringing care to those experiencing homelessness in day centres and hostels meant that the charity has been able to increase the care it can offer, when compared to its city-based static clinics.
This flexibility is important when engaging the homeless community in eye care, Telfer said.
“Over the past year, we’ve seen just how life-changing this can be,” she said.
Telfer added: “Everyone deserves the ability to see the world around them, to feel seen, and to be given the opportunity to move forward in life.
“Thanks to this partnership [with Specsavers], we are slowly breaking down barriers and ensuring that those affected by homelessness are not left behind. We look forward to continuing our work with them across the UK.”
Dalton added: “The past 12 months have been incredibly moving, and it has been a privilege to assist VCHP. We all have the same vision: that everyone deserves access to essential care – especially those in our community who have been pushed into homelessness.”
Lead image: Heather Dalton, optometry director at Specsavers Bradford 2 Home Visits, with a clinic attendee during the pilot
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Anonymous24 April 2025
Hope you had a great conversion rate, £££.
Beware your next 121…
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