Specsavers Partners with Basis to Host Pop-Up Clinic for Homeless Individuals

Strategic Insights -

Specsavers and Sunderland-based charity Basis partnered to host a pop-up clinic at The Bethany City Church on October 10, offering free healthcare services to those in need. The event was part of a nationwide initiative for World Homeless Day, where over 180 Specsavers stores and Home Visits businesses across the UK provided out-of-hours clinics or services specifically for people affected by homelessness. The clinic welcomed 18 members of the local community, with the team providing essential healthcare services, including eye tests, glasses, hearing tests, hearing aids, and ear wax removals.

Key Takeaways:

  • Specsavers partnered with Basis to host a pop-up clinic at The Bethany City Church on October 10, catering to individuals experiencing homelessness.
  • The event was part of a nationwide initiative for World Homeless Day, with over 180 Specsavers stores and Home Visits businesses participating across the UK.
  • The Sunderland clinic welcomed 18 members of the local community and completed 9 eye tests, ordered 9 pairs of glasses, performed 9 hearing tests, removed ear wax from 5 individuals, and fitted 3 sets of hearing aids.
  • The initiative is part of Specsavers' broader homelessness program, which focuses on removing financial, residential, and systemic barriers to accessing NHS-supported eye and hearing care.
  • Danielle Sheriff, audiology director at Specsavers Northumberland Home Visits, emphasized the importance of ensuring everyone can access free, appropriate eye and hearing care to improve quality of life.
  • Basis Sunderland and Bethany City Church continue to provide essential support to those experiencing homelessness, including access to food, showers, and the Internet.
  • Specsavers runs ongoing clinics in partnership with organizations such as Crisis, Vision Care, Big Issue, and other homelessness services.
  • The company is calling for government policy changes to remove barriers preventing people without permanent housing from accessing vitally essential eye and hearing care services.

Statistics:

  • Specsavers hosted a pop-up clinic at The Bethany City Church on October 10, welcoming 18 members of the local community.
  • 9 eye tests were completed, 9 pairs of glasses were ordered, and 9 hearing tests were performed at the clinic.
  • 5 individuals received ear wax removal, and 3 sets of hearing aids were fitted.
  • Specsavers has over 180 participating stores and Home Visits businesses across the UK in their nationwide initiative for World Homeless Day.
  • The company aims to remove systemic barriers to accessing NHS-supported eye and hearing care services for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Sources:

  • "Specsavers Northumberland and Tyneside team hosts free pop-up clinic to help people in need of eye and hearing care." [The Northumberland Gazette, October 10]
  • Specsavers Northumberland Home Visits
  • Basis Sunderland