At Specsavers, our purpose is simple: to change lives through better sight and hearing by making expert care accessible and affordable for everyone. We know that people affected by homelessness face major barriers to accessing essential eye and ear health services.
Through partnerships with Crisis, Big Issue, Vision Care, Simon Community and Every Youth, we’re committed to removing those barriers and delivering care where it’s needed most.
Why access matters
Nearly 75% of people affected by homelessness who access our eye health clinics need glasses, and on average 20% have a condition that needs treatment. In addition, approximately 10% of people are referred to hospital or to a GP for further investigation, which is much higher than the high street average of 3.7%. Without free and easy access to health care, certain eye conditions can worsen if they remain undetected and undiagnosed.
Research conducted by Big Issue has also found that 91% of their vendors are regularly exposed to loud noises, resulting in 86% experiencing ringing in their ears and 89% have experienced discomfort. Despite this, 57% of respondents admitted to not knowing where to get help.
How we’re helping
Since 2022, we’ve invested more than £3 million into the homelessness sector and as a result, our programme, with the incredible support of our charity partners, has supported over 6,000 people experiencing homelessness.
Three ways we provide care
After consulting with people with lived experience of homelessness, we’ve designed three models of delivering care:
- Out-of-hours clinics in Specsavers stores
More than 100 participating Specsavers stores open outside regular hours to provide a quieter environment for people who feel uncomfortable in what can be a busy retail setting. - Pop-up clinics in community centres
Our store and Home Visits colleagues take care directly into the community with mobile testing equipment, making it easier for people to access help in an environment they are already familiar with. - Our Charity VIP Scheme
Anyone affected by homelessness or working for one of our charity partners can visit any Specsavers store to access free eye and ear care.
Learn more about our Charity VIP scheme here >
What we offer
We are proud to offer anyone experiencing homelessness:
- Free eye tests (including OCT scans)
- Free glasses (up to two pairs from our £15-£30 range)
- Free hearing checks
- Free hearing aids (subject to suitability and availability)
- Wax removal and hearing protection options
Need help or want to help?
- You may already be eligible for free NHS support: check here for further details
- Have you seen someone who needs help? Look here
For any questions on our homelessness programme, email us at homelessness@specsavers.com
Real stories
"Getting an eye test has given me confidence to access other health care."
"My new glasses make me feel good about myself."
"I’m going to use my new glasses to help me get a job."
Emma Donnelly - Dispensing Manager: "It’s been incredibly rewarding to witness the life-changing impact of corrected vision. Recently, I reconnected with a man we first saw at one of our early clinics.
"At that time, he couldn’t see anything up close. Thanks to his new glasses, his English has improved significantly, he can now read and apply for jobs, and his mental health is on the rise."
