Specsavers and Vision Care homelessness partnership nominated for charity award

A partnership between Specsavers and Vision Care that works to widen access to eye care for those experiencing homelessness has been shortlisted at Third Sector’s Business Charity Awards.

The partnership is a finalist in the awards’ Mid Term Partnership category, which aims to recognise successful collaborations between businesses and charities.

The relationship has seen Specsavers assist in delivering Vision Care clinics, pilot domiciliary services, contribute to policy discussions aimed at removing barriers to NHS sight tests, and provide investment in clinical and IT infrastructure in Vision Care clinics.

Specsavers has also assisted in the creation of an ‘experts by experience’ panel, which has advised on how primary care optometry can engage those with lived experience of homelessness in eye care services.

Hannah Telfer, chief executive of Vision Care, said: “Through our partnership with Specsavers, Vision Care has been able to reach thousands more people affected by homelessness and highlight the unacceptable reality that access to eye care is still out of reach for many.

“Housing insecurity should never come at the expense of someone’s eye health. Together, and alongside colleagues across the optical sector, we are determined to remove these barriers and ensure everyone has access to the care they deserve.”

Jo Osborne, corporate social responsibility lead at Specsavers, said: “Vision Care is an incredible charity that advocates for people experiencing homelessness, removes barriers to access for eye care and delivers those crucial services.

“Over the years, the relationship has grown from long-standing philanthropic support into a strategic, multi-year collaboration with the goal to improve access to change lives.”

Osborne thanked the ‘hundreds’ of Specsavers colleagues who have been involved in the partnership with Vision Care.

“As experts who care, they are making a difference in their communities,” she said.

The homelessness team at Specsavers has also been shortlisted for the internal corporate social responsibility team of the year award.

Osborne added: “The recognition through being shortlisted for these two prestigious awards belongs to everyone involved – from clinicians volunteering their time, to charity partners on the ground, to colleagues behind the scenes who make it possible. It shows what can be achieved when we all work together.”

The award ceremony will take place tonight (7 May) at the London Marriott Grosvenor Square.

Pictured L-R: Hannah Telfer, chief executive of Vision Care, Jo Osborne, corporate social responsibility lead at Specsavers, and Megan Holmes, education and engagement manager at Vision Care