This World Homeless Day, Specsavers offers free eye and ear checks to people experiencing homelessness in Bedford

A team of three colleagues from the home visits team, located at the SMART Prebend Support Hub in Bedford, are set to hold an eye care clinic which will offer people in need of a sight test and glasses as well as a hearing check, wax removal and hearing devices.

The clinic will take place between 9am to 1pm (10th) and 1pm to 4pm (19th) to offer people experiencing homelessness a trusted and safe environment to speak to a healthcare professional.

Specsavers Bedford are partnering with SMART and their Prebend Support Hub to ensure that those affected by any form of homelessness can access the special clinics on the 10 and 19 November.

This clinic is part of Specsavers wider homelessness programme, and the Bedford home visits team are proud to mark World Homeless Day by continuing to improve access to eye care and hearcare for people experiencing homelessness or facing other barriers to care – whether financial, residential or not being eligible for NHS support.

One in three people who experience homelessness need glasses, so the clinic, which is one of many running at Specsavers stores throughout the country, offers an invaluable service to those experiencing eye and vision problems, yet encountering obstacles to receiving eye care.

Chris Furlonger, Retail director at Specsavers Bedford Domiciliary, says: ‘Our ambition is to ensure that everyone experiencing homelessness can access free, appropriate eye and hearing care.

‘By helping people achieve better sight and hearing, we hope to improve their quality of life and unfortunately, we know that for many, this is not the case because it can be incredibly difficult to get free access to this care.

‘By holding a clinic for this World Homeless Day, and working closely with SMART Bedford, we are aiming to make expert care accessible to our community whilst raising awareness of the barriers currently in place.’

As well as running eye and ear care clinics across stores, Specsavers also collaborates with Crisis, Vision Care, Big Issue and other homelessness services to create long-term solutions to remove healthcare barriers.

Jen, Head of Operations at SMART, says: ‘For many years, the SMART Prebend Support Hub has served as a lifeline for individuals facing homelessness or in need of housing advice, offering a safe and welcoming environment when it’s needed the most.

‘Our compassionate team provides tailored support and guidance, along with hot meals and access to vital amenities such as showers and laundry facilities, helping people restore dignity, stability, and hope for the future.

‘We are excited to be working with Specsavers to ensure expert eye and hearing care is accessible to the people we support’.

Specsavers is also calling for changes to government policy to remove unnecessary barriers that make it difficult for people experiencing homelessness to access the eye care they need. Long term plans include influencing policy and systems, so people affected have access to free ear checks, eye tests and glasses, and replacement glasses if broken, lost or stolen.

Anyone who wishes to attend the clinic at Specsavers Bedford can contact SMART for practical, compassionate support. You can visit their website here or call the Prebend Support Hub on 01234 365955.