Third Sector Business Charity Awards, Specsavers and Vision Care

Specsavers and Vision Care recognised for improving access to eye care for people experiencing homelessness

The Specsavers partnership with Vision Care to expand access to eye care for people experiencing homelessness is up for a major charity award.

The partnership has been named as a finalist in the Third Sector Business Charity Awards, which recognise the collaborations between businesses and charities that help change lives.

‘Vision Care is an incredible charity that advocates for people experiencing homelessness, removes barriers to access for eye care and delivers those crucial services,’ says Jo Osborne, corporate social responsibility lead at Specsavers.

‘Over the years, the relationship has grown from longstanding philanthropic support into a strategic, multi‑year collaboration with the goal to improve access to change lives as experts who care.’

The partnership has seen Specsavers fund an expansion of Vision Care’s staffing, investment in clinical infrastructure and IT and equip new clinics in community hubs such as Crisis Skylights. It also supported the creation of a national Experts by Experience panel to shape service design.

The partnership has also delivered additional clinics, piloted innovative domiciliary services and contributed to national policy discussions aimed at removing barriers to NHS sight tests.

Hannah Telfer, chief executive of Vision Care, says: ‘Through our partnership with Specsavers, Vision Care has been able to reach thousands more people affected by homelessness and highlight the unacceptable reality that access to eye care is still out of reach for many.

‘Housing insecurity should never come at the expense of someone’s eye health. Together, and alongside colleagues across the optical sector, we are determined to remove these barriers and ensure everyone has access to the care they deserve.’

Specsavers’ homelessness team has also been shortlisted for the internal corporate social responsibility (CSR) team of the year award.  ‘I want to thank the hundreds of Specsavers colleagues who have been involved in the programme. As experts who care, they are making a difference in their communities,’ adds Ms Osborne.

‘The recognition through being shortlisted for these two prestigious awards belongs to everyone involved – from clinicians volunteering their time, to charity partners on the ground, to colleagues behind the scenes who make it possible. It shows what can be achieved when we all work together.’

The winners of the Third Sector Business Charity Awards will be announced later this week.