Opticians offers free eye tests to people experiencing homelessness in Liverpool

The Specsavers professionals at the clinic were optometrist Melanie Lutas, dispenser Ross Varley, and optical assistant Caitlan Ryan, who examined nine people experiencing homelessness during the clinic, which was held at Crisis’ Liverpool office on Kent Street. In addition to this, Jonathan Fullalove, Manolis Votskis and the Specsavers Warrington domiciliary business supported with clinic equipment on the day.

Sylwia Parr, the volunteer and member involvement lead at Crisis in Liverpool, oversaw the clinic – which is the third one since Christmas 2023. Sylwia says: ‘We are always grateful for the Specsavers volunteers to come and help at the Crisis Clinic. We always try for it to be a positive and enjoyable time for the members.

‘Holding the clinic at Crisis Skylight Merseyside means they can come in and get checked over, see their coach, collect their Christmas hampers, and get any extra support they need.

‘We also have all-new clean clothing to hand which is donated for them to collect and pick up, so if they need a new coat or shoes or anything else, it means they can get it while they’re there.’

The special clinic is part of a nationwide initiative from Specsavers to improve access to eye care for people experiencing homelessness or facing other barriers to care – whether financial, residential or not being eligible for NHS support.

One in three people who experience homelessness need glasses, so the clinic, which is one of many running at Crisis centres throughout the country, offers an invaluable service to those of us who are experiencing eye and vision problems, yet encounter obstacles to receiving eye care.

Sylwia continues: ‘We get good feedback from our members; the volunteers are well known for their knowledge and compassion when working at the clinic. One member from this clinic uses glasses as their eyesight is deteriorating - but their eyes had worsened to the point that they were needing to use their phone to take photos so they could read.

‘That put them at risk any time their phone died, as they would no longer be able to read. But now, thanks to Specsavers, they have a new pair of glasses with an updated prescription, and it means they no longer have to depend on technology to read.’

Jo Osborne, Specsavers’ Homelessness Programme Lead, comments: ‘Every day, we improve people’s quality of life by helping them achieve better sight and hearing. Unfortunately, for the thousands of people facing homelessness in the UK, it can be incredibly difficult to get access to this care. Working to improve this is very much a key tenet of our founding vision - to make expert care accessible to all of us.

‘As a charity working to end homelessness, Crisis supports thousands of people with education and training, and help with housing, employment and health. Through its services across Britain, the charity helps people find a path out of homelessness for good.’

Matt Downie, Crisis Chief Executive, adds: ‘We know that people facing homelessness meet significant barriers when trying to access the healthcare they need and can go years without having an eye test, putting them at risk of developing serious eye health conditions.

‘Being able to connect the people we support at Christmas to vital healthcare services plays a huge part in someone’s first step out of homelessness. That is why we’re incredibly grateful to be working with Specsavers to deliver much needed eye tests, ear checks and advice.’

As well as running eye and ear care clinics at Crisis outreach centres, Specsavers is collaborating with Vision Care for Homeless People, Big Issue and other homelessness services to create long-term solutions to remove healthcare barriers for people who are experiencing homelessness.

Specsavers is also calling for changes to government policy to remove unnecessary barriers that make it difficult for people experiencing homelessness to access the eye care they need. Long-term plans include influencing policy and systems so people experiencing homelessness have access to free ear checks, eye tests and glasses, and replacement glasses if broken, lost or stolen.

To find out more, visit specsavers.co.uk/news-and-information/community/homelessness