In an effort to provide accessible eye and hearing care within the local community, Specsavers Harrogate held an out-of-hours clinic for people experiencing homelessness around Harrogate in partnership with Lifeline Harrogate.
The Lifeline Harrogate team offers supported accommodation for individuals experiencing homelessness in Harrogate. Since it launched, they’ve housed 153 residents, with an average stay of 340 nights. They also facilitate access to education and employment opportunities, with 89% leaving in a better position to improve their quality of life.
The locally owned and operated store on Beulah Street offered free eye and ear tests to nine residents of Lifeline Harrogate on Tuesday 2nd December, after hours, creating a quiet and comfortable space where those in need could speak with a healthcare professional.
Residents were offered a sight test, an OCT scan, glasses, a hearing check, wax removal, and hearing devices.
This initiative is a continuation of Specsavers’ wider homelessness programme, which see's over a hundred Specsavers stores and Home Visits services hold out-of-hours or pop-up clinics and invite those affected by forms of homelessness to use their services for free.
The clinics aim to improve access to eye and ear care for people experiencing homelessness or facing other barriers to care – whether financial, residential, or not eligible for NHS support.
Ruth Skaife-Clarke, fundraising and office manager at Lifeline Harrogate, said:
"On behalf of our residents who attended the out-of-hours clinic, we can’t thank the team at Specsavers Harrogate enough for opening the store to provide them with access to the healthcare they deserved and for treating residents with such care and compassion.
"Such services are vital to the well-being of people who, sadly, have other priorities more important than their health; however, making sure they have regular check-ups provides them with much-needed glasses to help them succeed in securing employment and to achieve a general overall improvement in their daily lives.
"This also helps them continue to feel supported, bridge the poverty gap, and overcome emotional and mental barriers."
Caroline Sullivan, director at Specsavers Harrogate, adds:
"We’re pleased to have hosted our first out-of-hours clinic to offer our services to residents at Lifeline, and I’m incredibly proud of the team and Lifeline for making this possible. Lifeline truly lives up to its name; it is a vital part of the community, helping remove barriers to accommodation and employment.
"We aim to continue supporting such a vital charity and ensuring everyone has access to free, appropriate eye and hearing care, which can ultimately help improve quality of life. Specsavers, both as a business and as a local team within Harrogate’s community, is dedicated to making healthcare accessible to all; I sincerely hope this helps raise awareness of the issue and the current barriers faced by people."
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 and ear care they need. Long-term plans include influencing policy and systems so that people affected have access to free ear checks, eye tests, and glasses, and replacement glasses if broken, lost, or stolen.
If you’d like to support Lifeline Harrogate, donations are welcome via www.lifelineharrogate.co.uk
To find out more, visit specsavers.co.uk/news-and-information/community/homelessness or contact Specsavers Harrogate at 01423 564 515
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