TEAM members from London Specsavers stores are set to give free eye tests and glasses, plus hearing checks to people experiencing homelessness at out-of-hours clinics.

A team of London colleagues are set to hold eye care clinics which will offer people in need of a sight test, an OCT scan and glasses outside of business hours. Some Specsavers stores will also be offering hearing checks, wax removal and a hearing device.

The clinics, organised ahead of World Homeless Day (10th October 2025), will offer people experiencing homelessness a quieter environment to speak to a healthcare professional.

Specsavers store partners are partnering with several local charities including St Mungo’s and Spear London and inviting those affected by any form of homelessness to pop into the special clinics to be hosted on various dates between 10th – 22nd October.

The clinics are part of Specsavers wider homelessness programme, and the greater London region of store partners are proud to mark World Homeless Day by continuing to improve access to eye care or 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 clinics offer an invaluable service to those experiencing eye and vision problems, yet encountering obstacles to receiving eye care.

Rishi Ganatra, Specsavers Regional Chair for Central London 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 out-of-hours clinics this World Homeless Day and working closely with St Mungo’s and Spear London 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 its stores, Specsavers also collaborates with Crisis, Vision Care, Big Issue and other homelessness services to create long-term solutions to remove healthcare barriers.

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 a Specsavers clinic should contact their local store to find out more https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores