‘Sharing the love’ for independents

SightCare has worked with its members to create a ‘Share your love for independents’ campaign to “reflects the hard work of the independent optical community during the pandemic”.

To create the video campaign, 35 member practices joined forces to deliver messages of what it means to be an independent practice and to highlight how they have helped the community during the pandemic. This includes delivering contact lenses, fixing broken glasses, alleviating pressure from the NHS by dealing with eye emergencies and helping key workers with their eyecare needs.

John French, SightCare CEO, said: “Independent small businesses are the heart of the High Street throughout the UK. Being an independent business takes courage and strength and many are struggling as a result of the pandemic. Some are no longer with us.

“The High Street as we know it is under threat. Our video campaign aims to support a local High Street thriving for generations to come where independent opticians and optometrists focus more on expanding ambitiously and less on fighting for survival.”

The video campaign, which will be used to highlight the strengths of independent practices and their work to help their communities, is being rolled out across social media via SightCare’s national campaign to support independent practices, SightCare Local.

SightCare has been releasing training videos, weekly webinars and materials to help member and non-member practices throughout the pandemic for free – as well as indefinitely opening their Facebook group – SightCare members – to the wider optical community.

To view the video, click here.