TEAM members from Specsavers in Romford and Dagenham Heathway are set to give free eye tests and glasses to people experiencing homelessness on 8 October.
A team of two colleagues – Sandeep Phull, dispensing optician at Specsavers Dagenham Heathway, and Gajan Singh Seehra, senior optometrist at Specsavers Romford – are set to hold a clinic at The Welcome Centre in Ilford, offering people in need a sight test and glasses.
The clinic, organised ahead of World Homeless Day (10 October 2025), will take place between 10am to 1pm. It forms part of a monthly rotation of clinics supported by the Romford and Dagenham Heathway stores, hosted at The Salvation Army in Romford or The Welcome Centre in Ilford, providing people experiencing homelessness a quieter environment to speak to a healthcare professional.
The Welcome Centre supports people experiencing homelessness, destitution, or vulnerable housing. It offers information, advice, and guidance on homelessness-related issues, including welfare benefits, substance misuse, health/mental health, and overall well-being.
This Wednesday’s clinic is part of Specsavers wider homelessness programme, and the East London stores are proud to mark World Homeless Day by continuing 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 Specsavers stores throughout the country, offers an invaluable service to those experiencing eye and vision problems, yet encountering obstacles to receiving eye care.
Gajan 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 a clinic this World Homeless Day and working closely with The Welcome Centre Ilford and The Salvation Army Romford on regular clinics, we are aiming to make expert care accessible to our community whilst raising awareness of the barriers currently in place.’
Gajan also organises the annual Out of the Box Optoversity Challenge, an inter-university competition which tests students on aspects of optometry and challenges them to raise funds for Vision Care.
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 The Welcome Centre in Ilford on 8 October can request an appointment here or contact the Romford or Dagenham Heathway store directly.
The Salvation Army Romford hosts a Rough Sleeper Drop-in service on the second Monday of every month. The next drop-in is on Monday 13 October.
To find out more, visit specsavers.co.uk/news-and-information/community/homelessness or contact Specsavers Romford at 01708 724475 or Specsavers Dagenham Heathway at 020 8596 9998.
