Eye health care charity of the month

Alison Gordon VCHP community and corporate fundraiser,

Vision Care for Homeless People’s (VCHP) dedicated volunteers provide sight tests and spectacles free of charge from clinics across the UK.

These volunteers can see that they are changing lives. They see it on the faces of their clients when they give them their new spectacles.

There are tears of joy when a homeless woman, who has not had a pair of spectacles for years, now finds the world has become a safer place. Or excitement, as a father who has not seen his daughter’s face properly before, eagerly anticipates visiting her. The relief of a homeless man wanting to find work, who will now be able to read the test questions at his interview that day.

Homeless people are particularly disadvantaged when it comes to obtaining sight tests, spectacles and eyecare. They suffer a higher level of eye problems than the general population. They find High Street eyecare practices difficult to access and are prone to losing or breaking their eyewear through violence they suffer on the street. One third of homeless people have never had their eyes tested and a further third not for at least 10 years.

Regional ambassadors, who are keen to promote the charity message, and to raise funds, are needed by VCHP.

Now in its 21st year, the charity has grown to provide clinics in Birmingham, London, Brighton, Exeter, Gloucester, Leeds, Bristol and Manchester. Centres in other cities are in advanced stages of planning where the need for a clinic has been identified and funds and volunteers are in place to support them.

As chair of the charity, and optometrist, Elaine Styles explains: “We are fortunate to receive tremendous support in terms of volunteers, donated specs, lenses and glazing, plus excellent diagnostic technology from a host of wonderful sponsors. However, we need to fund the running of the centres and this is a significant cost.”

VCHP is looking for people who would like to support the charity – perhaps not in a hands-on way, but by boosting regional awareness and driving fundraising.

“We would like to hear from people who are keen to raise awareness in schools, clubs and in communities which might fundraise for us,” continues Elaine. “We are very open minded for them to organise and promote events according to their own inclinations and skills.”

In addition, volunteer clinic managers who can support optical professionals to run clinics on a regular basis are sought.

“You will be organising appointments, recording patients’ details, helping them choose and fit spectacles and generally making everything run smoothly,” Elaine explains. “You do not need to be in the optical industry – we will train you.

“The satisfaction you will feel after a half day clinic, having helped a homeless person feel safer, access learning or take an important step towards securing a job, cannot be beaten.”

To find out more visit www.visioncareforhomelesspeople.org