Optical Benevolent Fund rebrands to OptomHelp with aim of increasing number of grant applications

The Optical Benevolent Fund has rebranded to OptomHelp, with the aim of increasing the number of grant applications it receives from members of the optical community.

The rebrand, which took place in early 2026, is designed to reduce barriers to application, Natalie Glass, administrative secretary at OptomHelp, told OT.

OptomHelp can provide financial support on a long or short-term basis, as well as grants for specific needs such as medical equipment, back to work courses, or counselling services.

As well as optometrists, their partners, dependents and widows or widowers can also apply for support from OptomHelp. Pre-registration optometrists are also eligible to apply.

“We are working to reduce barriers to those members of the profession who may be worried or embarrassed to apply,” Glass said.

The number of applications currently is small, Glass noted.

She emphasised that people often feel embrassed about seeking support, or feel that others are in greater need.

She told OT: "We are focused on increasing those numbers among people suffering real hardship.”

Glass added that often applications are complex, with poor mental health, divorce and fitness to practise cases all common themes raised by those seeking support.

OptomHelp has seen an increase in applications related to poor mental health, caring responsibilities, relationship breakdown, illness and unexpected life events in recent years, Glass explained.

The organisation is now funding more therapy and counselling requests, particularly from younger members of the profession, than it has in recent years, she told OT.

She added: “As a profession, optometrists are often the people others turn to for reassurance, advice and support. Yet when life becomes difficult, many find it surprisingly hard to seek help themselves.

“Whether through pride, embarrassment, concerns about confidentiality or the belief that someone else is ‘more deserving,’ people often wait until they are in crisis before reaching out. That is something OptomHelp wants to change.”

In 2025 the Optical Benevolent Fund, as it was then known, received 46 enquiries, some of which required advice or signposting to AOP services rather than financial assistance, Glass told OT.

The organisation awarded six grants to beneficiaries in 2025, whilst continuing to support two beneficiaries who had applied in previous years.

The organisation is reviewing its application process to make it easier to apply, Glass said.

The team also attended the College of Optometrists’ Optometry Tomorrow conference, held in Harrogate in June, in order to raise its profile.

Glass noted that OptomHelp is still officially registered as the Optical Benevolent Fund.

She told OT: “While our name has changed, our purpose has not. We remain dedicated to supporting optometrists and their families through times of financial hardship, helping people regain stability, confidence and independence.”

Those seeking support can contact OptomHelp directly, or can be referred by other organisations, including the AOP or the College of Optometrists.

Support in times of uncertainty

Aishah Patel, clinical adviser at the AOP and the association’s representative at OptomHelp, told OT: “As a charity, we support optometrists and any dependents of opticians who are in financial hardship or in a crisis.”

OptomHelp can offer advice and signposting as well as support payments and grants, Patel said.

She added: “We’re really here to help and support optometrists to try and get them back into work, and alleviate some of the stress caused by uncertainties in life.”

Discussing the organisation’s renaming to OptomHelp, Patel told OT: “We didn’t want to say that we offer specific help, because there could be a range of help that we can offer.

“With the knowledge [available] amongst our trustees on the fund, we’re able to use that knowledge and help applicants however they need our help.”

Mental health support, which would not be provided in-house by OptomHelp but would be signposted to where needed in specific cases, is a service that the organisation provides, Patel noted.

She also told OT that optometry students are welcome to apply to OptomHelp, and that every application is assessed individually, based on the needs of the applicant. OptomHelp does advise that students seek help from their university hardship fund before approaching them for support, however.

Glass told OT: “Every person’s circumstances are different, so we take time to understand the whole picture and work alongside applicants to identify the support that will have the greatest impact.

“Sometimes this means providing financial assistance to relieve immediate pressure. For others, it means creating the stability needed to increase their working hours, return to employment after illness or rebuild their independence.”

She added: “The impact is often far greater than the immediate financial assistance. We regularly see people regain confidence, improve their wellbeing and rediscover a sense of purpose.”

OT asked Patel what she would say to those who might benefit from OptomHelp’s services.

“I’d encourage them to have a look at our website first. If they are experiencing any form of hardship – not necessarily financial hardship, but any form of hardship – to contact us. We will always try our best to help them, in whatever way we can,” she said.

Glass emphasised that contacting OptomHelp early can “allow us to explore more options and provide support before problems become significantly more difficult to resolve.”

“Please don't wait until things become overwhelming before contacting us,” she said: “We are here to help.”

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The AOP and College’s OptomHelp

Find out more about OptomHelp of the AOP and the College

Find out more about applying for support from OptomHelp online.