Specsavers and parkrun launch new partnership to make better health accessible for all

Specsavers and parkrun launch new partnership to make better health accessible for all

Specsavers and parkrun have announced a new multi-year partnership around a common goal to make better health more accessible to all.

This shared commitment will focus on increasing participation at parkruns those currently under-represented, including people with visual impairment, hearing loss, or those experiencing social isolation.

Specsavers will contribute to parkrun’s continued growth and impact by helping to identify and remove barriers that may prevent people taking part. A “listen and learn” approach, sees Specsavers hosting a series of focus groups with people to understand their lived experiences and gather crucial insights around the real barriers to participation.

These insights will now guide the development of practical, meaningful solutions to make parkrun even more accessible and enable more people to experience the uplifting power of movement. Specsavers will be looking for ways that it can help on a national level, but also within local communities through its network of more than 1,000 UK practices, which are owned and run by local optometrists and audiologists.

Rather than a one-off campaign, the partnership represents a long-term commitment, built on shared values and meaningful impact, demonstrating care through action, and helping to bring the joy of parkrun to even more people’s lives.

John Perkins, Specsavers Group CEO, said: ‘Our mission is to improve lives through better sight and hearing. We believe everyone should have access to quality care when they need it. parkrun has done incredible work to inspire people to get outdoors, get active and connect with their communities and I’m delighted that our partnership will help break down barriers that stop some people getting involved. By reaching those who may have felt unable to take part in a parkrun before, we hope to empower more people to take steps to improve their health.’

Elizabeth Duggan, parkrun CEO, added: ‘parkrun was created to empower people to come together to be active, social and outdoors. Whilst more than 250,000 people take part each week in the UK, we know there are more people who could benefit. Our partnership with Specsavers will strengthen our mission, by listening directly to people with sight loss, hearing loss, or people experiencing social isolation, we can better understand what they need and ensure parkrun continues to be a welcoming, inclusive space for all.’