STEPPING OUT TO CHAMPION EYE CARE FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS

STEPPING OUT TO CHAMPION EYE CARE FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS

Optical professionals are being encouraged to take action in support of people experiencing homelessness, as Vision Care prepares to take part in the London Walk on Friday 20 March 2026 — a sponsored overnight challenge organised by national homelessness membership charity Homeless Link.

The London Walk offers three distances — 10km, half marathon or marathon — through central London, starting and finishing near Trafalgar Square. Walking overnight provides an opportunity to reflect on the reality faced by many people experiencing homelessness, including those who stay awake by travelling on night buses or using 24-hour spaces to remain safe.

Stephen Pratt, Vision Care’s Static Clinic Manager, who is taking on the marathon distance, said:

“Participating in the London Walk marathon provides an important opportunity to highlight the critical role that accessible eye care plays in supporting people experiencing homelessness. Through this effort, I aim to reinforce Vision Care’s commitment to reducing health inequalities and ensuring that no individual is prevented from reaching their potential due to untreated vision needs. Each mile walked reflects our organisation’s dedication to delivering practical, life‑changing support, and to raising the awareness and resources required to extend our impact even further within the communities we serve’’.

Among those taking part is Jo Holmes FBDO, former ABDO President (2020–2022), who has been volunteering as a dispensing optician with Vision Care since stepping away from practice last October.

“As dispensing opticians, helping people to see is fundamental to who we are. Volunteering at Vision Care clinics took me straight back to my roots and reminded me why I entered the profession in the first place. At these clinics, everything else is stripped away — you meet people who are simply trying to survive. Untreated vision issues can be yet another barrier for people experiencing homelessness, and that’s something our profession can help to address… That is why I decided to sign up to do the London half marathon walk for Vision Care: I want to highlight people’s realities as well as raise money to maintain our clinics.

Vision Care is encouraging individuals, optical practices and industry partners to walk to champion eyecare.

Vision Care fundraiser Alison Gordon said:

“This is our second year taking part in the London Walk. In 2025, we had 14 walkers — including several optical staff from partner organisations — and raised £12,000. It was challenging but also great fun. We’d love even more people to join us this year. With three distances available, it’s an accessible and rewarding way for the optical community to support eye care for people experiencing homelessness and is a perfect team or individual challenge.’

Interested in taking part?

Anyone wishing to join the Vision Care team can secure a place via the ‘I Want to Walk’ registration link and select Vision Care for Homeless People as their chosen charity or contact alison@visioncarecharity.org.uk for more information.

Anyone interested in volunteering at a Vision Care clinic can find out more here