Homeless care scheme expands
Partnership with Big Issue to create the Bigger Issue
Specsavers has expanded its Charity VIP scheme to help reduce barriers for people experiencing homelessness to access eye and hearing care.
Launched in 2022 to provide free eye and hearing care to Big Issue vendors, the scheme is available in every Specsavers practice in the UK and Ireland, the service requires no referral, paperwork or proof of address.
“At Specsavers our purpose is to change lives through better sight and hearing by making care accessible and affordable for everyone,” said Carina Hummel, managing director optics, Specsavers.
“We’re thrilled to be expanding our Charity VIP service across the UK and Ireland, which provides a free, and judgement free service for people to access eye and ear care.”
Almost 75 per cent of the 7,000 plus people who have accessed the programme since it began have required spectacles, while 10 per cent have needed referral to a hospital or GP, said the company.
Specsavers has also partnered with the Big Issue to create the Bigger Issue – printing 3,000 giant, limited-edition copies of the magazine to spotlight the nationwide expansion of Specsavers’ Charity VIP Service.