Sight Care launches networking and referral initiative for independents

Sight Care, the business and networking support organisation for independent practices, has developed a joint initiative in collaboration with the Health and Wellbeing Group to help its members set up and run their own health and wellbeing networking group in their local community.

Meeting every three weeks, each group will aim to connect like-minded business owners, sharpen their business skills and help them to increase the number of referrals into their business.

Full training and on-going support will be provided to participating member practices via the ‘Sight Care Health and Wellbeing Group Facilitator System,’ a coaching programme that helps members start, run and manage their own specialist group.

Sight Care chief executive, John French (pictured), said: “At Sight Care we understand how important and effective networking within the local community can be as a marketing tool to independent practices.”

Mr French added: “Providing a specialist networking group for independent opticians and other health professionals is a natural strategic objective that will support our members in achieving their business goals, which is what Sight Care is all about.”

Co-founder of the Health and Wellbeing Group, Erak Simsson, said: “As a personal trainer and business owner involved in the health and wellbeing industry, I found other networking groups to be a mismatch for my services so I co-developed the Health and Wellbeing Group, which provides a natural fit for health and wellbeing professionals.

“I am convinced that Sight Care members will benefit from this collaboration,” he concluded.

Sight Care member and optometrist, Martin Memory, of Memory Opticians in Salisbury, has helped pilot the scheme. “Since joining the Salisbury Health and Wellbeing Group we have seen a sharply focused number of referrals coming into the practice,” he said.

He added: “I’m really pleased to be the Sight Care optician representing our category in our area and would encourage other members to take up the opportunity.”

For more information, contact Sight Care on 0125 678 1522 or visit the Sight Care website.