TEAM members from Specsavers in West Wickham are set to give free eye tests and glasses to people experiencing homelessness at an out-of-hours clinic on Tuesday 4th November.
A team of 5 colleagues from the store, located on 15 High Street, West Wickham, Greater London, BR4 0LP, are set to hold an eye and hear care clinic which will offer people in need of a sight test, OCT scan, glasses (up to the value of £90), hearing check and hearing products outside of business hours.
The clinic will take place between 6pm-8pm to offer people experiencing homelessness a quieter environment to speak to a healthcare professional.
Specsavers West Wickham are partnering with Bromley Borough Foodbank and inviting those affected by any form of homelessness to pop into the special clinic on 4th November.
This clinic is part of Specsavers wider homelessness programme, and the West Wickham store is proud to mark World Homeless Day by continuing to improve access to eye and hear 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 Specsavers stores throughout the country, offers an invaluable service to those experiencing eye and vision problems, yet encountering obstacles to receiving eye care.
Retail Director at Specsavers West Wickham, Lindsay Mfubisha, says: ‘Our ambition is to ensure that everyone experiencing homelessness can access free, appropriate eye and hearing care.
‘By helping people achieve better sight and hearing, we hope to improve their quality of life and unfortunately, we know that for many, this is not the case because it can be incredibly difficult to get free access to this care.
‘By holding an out-of-hours clinic this World Homeless Day, and working closely with Bromley Borough Foodbank, we are aiming to make expert care accessible to our community whilst raising awareness of the barriers currently in place.’
As well as running eye and ear care clinics across stores, Specsavers also collaborates with Crisis, Vision Care, Big Issue and other homelessness services to create long-term solutions to remove healthcare barriers.
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 affected have access to free ear checks, eye tests and glasses, and replacement glasses if broken, lost or stolen.
Anyone who wishes to attend the clinic at Specsavers West Wickham can request an appointment here or contact the store directly. The team at Specsavers West Wickham has also set up a food donation box, inviting customers and local residents to contribute items that will support people experiencing homelessness who attend the out-of-hours clinic.
To find out more, visit specsavers.co.uk/news-and-information/community/homelessness or contact Specsavers West Wickham at 020 8916 8280.
