Partnership brings free eye care to homeless in Cirencester

Specsavers in Cirencester has teamed up with homelessness charity Signpost to offer free eye tests and glasses to people experiencing homelessness.

The programme is already making a difference, with seven individuals seen in store receiving glasses, and one person being referred to hospital for a detached retina, which will hopefully mean some vision is saved.

Michelle Murphy, store director at Specsavers Cirencester, said: “Putting people first is at the heart of everything we do and this partnership helps us extend that care beyond our store walls and into our community.

“Clear vision can change someone’s day, their confidence, even their future.

“We believe everyone deserves that chance which is why we’re extremely proud to be working with Signpost.”

Signpost provides one-to-one support for people without a permanent home in Cirencester and works to achieve long-term, positive outcomes for people facing homelessness.

Anyone engaged with the charity’s outreach team can now book an eye examination at Specsavers and receive glasses if needed.

One recipient described the impact as ‘transformative’, and said: “Specsavers Cirencester is the beacon that provides warmth, welcome and care, on the road back to recovery.”

They added: “Suddenly there is hope back, I can view the future with clarity, raising my head and walking with purpose.

“Seeing my future, my way ahead and lifting my head higher, setting my sights on greater things.”

The Cirencester branch is one of many Specsavers stores partnering with homelessness organisations across the UK, including Crisis, Vision Care, and Big Issue, to reduce barriers to essential eye care.

Specsavers is also campaigning for policy changes to ensure people experiencing homelessness have easier access to free eye and ear care.

The company is calling for free ear checks, eye examinations and glasses and replacement glasses if they are broken, lost or stolen.

Anyone wishing to book a free eye examination or hearing check through the scheme can contact Specsavers Cirencester on 01285 648610 or visit the Specsavers website.