03 September 2026
An event in St Albans brought together organisations, facilities and eye care to people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in the community.
The Homeless Health Event was hosted by Open Door Homeless Hub and Hightown Housing Association, with an eye clinic provided by practitioners from Specsavers St Albans, St Albans Everard, and Harpenden.
The three practices have an existing relationship with Open Door Homeless Hub and Hightown Housing Association, working together to provide eye care to people supported by the organisations.
Ali Hashim, ophthalmic director of the Specsavers practices, explained: “Through our ongoing relationship, we recognised that some individuals still faced barriers to accessing eye care, so we were pleased to support this community-based clinic at St Saviour’s Church and bring eye care services directly to those who needed them.”
During the event, practitioners focused on providing eye examinations, identified eye health concerns, and helped attendees access the vision correction and support they needed.
The team also discussed eye health with attendees, helping them to understand what support might be available to them moving forwards.
“Many attendees had not had an eye test for several years, so the clinic provided an important opportunity to address unmet eye care needs,” Hashim explained.
He told OT: “The experience was incredibly rewarding and humbling. The people we met were grateful for the opportunity to receive eye care in a familiar and supportive environment. It reinforced how important good vision is to everyday life, from reading and accessing services to maintaining independence and confidence.”
During the clinic, the team spoke to approximately 20 individuals, providing eye examinations, eye health advice, and guidance on accessing further support where needed.
Hashim shared: “As eye care professionals we believe everyone should have access to high-quality eye care regardless of their circumstances. We wanted to use our skills to support vulnerable members of our community and help remove some of the barriers that can prevent people from accessing healthcare services.”
“Supporting local initiatives such as this aligns closely with our values and our commitment to making a positive difference in the communities we serve,” he added.
The practice teams expressed gratitude to Open Door Homeless Hub and Hightown Housing Association for the invitation to be involved in the event.
“What stood out most was the strength of the community network supporting these individuals,” Hashim reflected.
He added: “The event highlighted the importance of collaborative working between healthcare providers, charities, and housing organisations.”
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