At Specsavers, our purpose is simple: to change lives through better sight and hearing by making expert care accessible and affordable for everyone. We know that people affected by homelessness face major barriers to accessing essential eye and ear health services.
Through partnerships with Crisis, Big Issue, Vision Care, Simon Community and Every Youth, we’re committed to removing those barriers and delivering care where it’s needed most.
New research highlights the impact of sight and hearing difficulties
New research from Crisis and Specsavers highlights the far-reaching impact sight and hearing difficulties can have on people experiencing homelessness.
The study found that one in five (21%) developed sight or hearing problems for the first time while experiencing homelessness, while almost half (47%) said existing difficulties had worsened.
Sight and hearing difficulties can also create practical barriers to moving on from homelessness. Nearly one in five (18%) said their condition made it harder to access homelessness services, while 17% said it made it more difficult to secure housing or find employment.
More than a third (36%) said cost was the biggest barrier to receiving eye and hearing care, while four in five (80%) said free or low-cost glasses and hearing devices would have helped most.
Read the full Crisis and Specsavers research report:
How we’re helping
Since 2022, we’ve invested more than £3 million into the homelessness sector and as a result, our programme, with the incredible support of our charity partners, has supported over 6,000 people experiencing homelessness.
Three ways we provide care
After consulting with people with lived experience of homelessness, we’ve designed three models of delivering care:
- Our Charity VIP Scheme
Anyone affected by homelessness or working for one of our charity partners can visit any Specsavers store to access free eye and ear care.
Learn more about our Charity VIP scheme here > - Out-of-hours clinics in Specsavers stores
More than 100 participating Specsavers stores open outside regular hours to provide a quieter environment for people who feel uncomfortable in what can be a busy retail setting. - Pop-up clinics in community centres
Our store and Home Visits colleagues take care directly into the community with mobile testing equipment, making it easier for people to access help in an environment they are already familiar with.
What we offer
We are proud to offer anyone experiencing homelessness:
- Free eye tests (including OCT scans)
- Free glasses (up to two pairs from our £15-£30 range)
- Free hearing checks
- Free hearing aids (subject to suitability and availability)
- Wax removal and hearing protection options
Need help or want to help?
- You may already be eligible for free NHS support: check here for further details
- Have you seen someone who needs help? Look here
For any questions on our homelessness programme, email us at homelessness@specsavers.com
Real stories
"Getting an eye test has given me confidence to access other health care."
"My new glasses make me feel good about myself."
"I’m going to use my new glasses to help me get a job."
Emma Donnelly - Dispensing Manager: "It’s been incredibly rewarding to witness the life-changing impact of corrected vision. Recently, I reconnected with a man we first saw at one of our early clinics.
"At that time, he couldn’t see anything up close. Thanks to his new glasses, his English has improved significantly, he can now read and apply for jobs, and his mental health is on the rise."
