Community engagement with students and schoolchildren

Community engagement with students and schoolchildren

Experts from Specsavers have been actively engaging with young people in their communities, sharing their expertise, promoting the importance of good eye health, and inspiring the next generation to consider a career in optics.

A team from the Specsavers practice in Stamford (Morrisons) visited Stamford College in Lincolnshire for a careers fair, speaking with students about the diverse and rewarding pathways available in optics at Specsavers, and encouraging them to prioritise their eye health.

‘Building connections with the local community is extremely important to us, so being invited to the careers fair was a real privilege,’ said practice director Hannah Smallwood. ‘We had a lovely afternoon talking with some fantastic students about the careers available in optics. I hope we we’re able to inspire the next generation to consider our industry as an option when they leave college.’

Students were also reminded that their eye examinations and any necessary glasses are fully funded by the NHS if they’re under 19 and in full-time education.

During a separate visit to Poppleton Road Primary in Yorkshire, younger pupils learned about the science behind eye care as well as the importance of regular eye tests, and how to care for their vision. Children took part in an interactive session to learn about equipment, eye conditions, and Specsavers practice team’s day-to-day work, receiving optical goody bags to help them remember their visit.

Dawn Ellis, senior optical assistant at Specsavers Acomb, says: ‘We know how important good eye health is, but not everyone knows how to spot the early signs of eye problems in children. Visiting them at school and delivering the presentation in a fun way, while keeping them entertained, can help them learn how to look after their vision and reduce any anxiety about a regular eye test.

‘It’s also great to be able to show the children what a job in the optical industry involves. Taking them through our day-to-day tasks, how we administer eye tests, and what all our equipment is used for, was a new and interesting experience for them. We look forward to seeing them come in for their eye tests.’

Christine Noonan, KS1 Phase Leader at Poppleton Road Primary, says: ‘Our pupils really enjoyed the session delivered by the Specsavers Acomb team. The children stayed engaged from beginning to end. Learning about real-world careers helped them gain a deeper understanding of how the world works.

‘The team not only helped our pupils better understand the science of our eyes but also emphasised the importance of eye check-ups and what to expect during an appointment. This is especially significant to us, as clear sight is important for children’s learning and classroom engagement.’