Specsavers expands homelessness eye care scheme nationally

Specsavers has expanded its homelessness eye care scheme to cover every practice in the UK and Ireland.

It is hoped that the nationwide rollout will help to reduce barriers to eye and hearing care for those experiencing homelessness.

The homelessness eye care service is known as the ‘Charity VIP scheme,’ and this is what those living with homelessness are encouraged to ask for when visiting a practice.

Specsavers has found that 44% of those experiencing homelessness have either never had an eye test, or have not had one in the past five years.

Barriers to accessing NHS-funded eye care include discomfort attending appointments in practice and concerns about the cost of spectacles.

Carina Hummel, managing director of optics at Specsavers, noted that Specsavers aims to “change lives through better sight and hearing by making care accessible and affordable for everyone.”

Hummel said: “We’re thrilled to be expanding our Charity VIP service across the UK and Ireland, which provides a free, and judgement-free service for people to access eye and ear care.”

The scheme is designed to remove obstacles to accessing care, as it requires no referral, paperwork or proof of address.

Those who want to access the service can do so in practice, or by filling in a form online.

The service includes a free eye test, optical coherence tomography scan, and spectacles within the £30 range.

Hearing care, including a free hearing check, hearing protection, wax removal and a hearing device if required, is also available as part of the scheme.

The Charity VIP scheme was first launched in 2022, when Specsavers partnered with Big Issue to offer free eye and hearing care to vendors.

Since then, three quarters of those who have accessed the programme have required glasses, while 10% have needed referral to a hospital or GP.

In total, more than 7000 people have received support through the scheme.

Lead image: Big Issue vendor in Covent Garden Market in London holds up a special edition of the magazine, advertising the Charity VIP scheme