Vision Care for Homeless People

04/09/2025

It's great to hear from patients how much they value our service. 😁 Here's some words from a recent patient who came to see us on the recommendation of a worker at from the centre where the clinic is based.

'My ex broke my prescription glasses during an argument after which I couldn't afford to replace them... It's an amazing and invaluable service for those of us in need. It turns out being able to see and read is quite important! .. Just being able to read a book comfortably for pleasure feels like a luxury. Seeing labels and prices whilst shopping too. The whole process has been so kind without feeling embarrassed or shame. Zoe & Ricky have both been fab. We even managed a few laughs while getting the business done. Thank you both so much and the rest of the team behind the scene.'
(The patient was so pleased they even popped back in with a box of Maltesers for the volunteers! 😍 )
Inspired to join our volunteer team? Book your call to find out more VisionCareforHomelessPeopleVolunteering@vchp.org.uk/?ismsaljsauthenabled=true" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://outlook.office365.com/book/VisionCareforHomelessPeopleVolunteering@vchp.org.uk/?ismsaljsauthenabled=true

01/09/2025

STEPPER EYEWEAR SEE THEIR FUNDING IN ACTION AT VISION CARE

STEPPER EYEWEAR’s ongoing support for Vison Care’s running costs was in evidence at the London Crisis centre, when patients were visiting the clinic for eye examinations and new glasses to be dispensed.
STEPPER EYEWEAR’s Business Development Manager for the SouthEast, Simon O’Hara, called in at the newly refurbished clinic in East London, and praised the care being provided –
“So many parts of the optical community give to VCHP - for example at this new clinic - and we like to be part of this support. Our industry works together very well and this is a great example of what we can achieve together. The clinic is a welcoming environment and the quality of the eye care provided is something that we are very pleased to be associated with.”
Optometrist Prashant Shah, who usually practices in new Cavendish Street, London, said it is a “humbling experience” to work at the clinic –
“I saw the volunteering opportunity promoted on social media and it is good to come to such a well set-up clinic. I like to do as much volunteering as I can, but a minimum of once a month is what VCHP is normally looking for from volunteers.”
STEPPER EYEWEAR’s support for Vison Care, now in its sixth year, amounts to £55,000 and has covered regional support for the Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham and London clinics. STEPPER EYEWEAR’s flexible approach helps support running costs as and where it is needed.

Picture shows, left to right: DO Umarah Ahmed, VCHP’s Community & Corporate Fundraiser, Alison Gordon, Clinic Assistant, Charles McMaster, STEPPER EYEWEAR’s Simon O’Hara and OO Prashant Shah.

28/08/2025

Great to shine a light on the impact our clinics make to peoples lives. Wonderful to work in partnership with Crisis and Specsavers to provide a free eyecare service to people affected by homelessness in Edinburgh.

26/08/2025

R🏃‍♀️‍➡️U🏃‍♂️‍➡️N🏃‍➡️ for Vison Care!

We are excited to share we've signed up to the platform Run for Charity - which gives our supporters opportunities to secure places in some popular events around the UK (& abroad!). We can offer you reduced entrance fees if you sign up to run for VCHP and do some fundraising in aid of our clinics. There are lots of events to choose from in 2025 through to 2026 - with distance runs from 5km to a Marathon, inflatable challenges, Tough Mudders, Bungee Jumps etc, so please do take a look: https://runforcharity.com/ - select Vision Care for Homeless People).

🔷 Coming up in October: the Yorkshire 10 mile and the Yorkshire Marathon - both taking place on the 19th October - from University of York. Link for more info and to secure your Vision Care place here: https://runforcharity.com/vision-care-for-homeless-people/GetInvolved

29/07/2025

Update from our Plymouth clinic last week -
• 3 tests done, one dispense and one GOS claim
• Tidied up Blink records for all patients and updated their details
• Gave out around 40 pairs of sunglasses – patients were super grateful! 😎
• One regular shared something lovely – he said his new glasses have opened up a whole new world for him. He feels more motivated now because he can read and see everything clearly 👓 🫶
?
To find out about volunteering in one of our amazing clinics please book a call with Steve 👉 VisionCareforHomelessPeopleVolunteering@vchp.org.uk/?ismsaljsauthenabled=true" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://outlook.office365.com/book/VisionCareforHomelessPeopleVolunteering@vchp.org.uk/?ismsaljsauthenabled=true

08/07/2025

Grants available to support individual/group fundraisers to help fund their adventure challenges - flights, visas, equipment, registration fees etc - so if expected costs were getting in the way of your dreams - and you'd like to take on an adventure challenge in aid of VCHP - please take a look and apply by the 16th July. https://info.givestar.io/adventure-for-good-grant?utm_campaign=afgg2025-charity&utm_content=thirdsector&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8b_amtSu6DHjJnAqdzMNUD45owjoAMT0NopoLFxvHpG_95Nk8v50_aCrCXiEenjjK9szk5
Says you don't need to have fully formed plans in advance - kernels good! If you'd like to chat about it please get in touch with Alison - VCHP fundraiser - alison.gordon@vchp.org.uk

Apply for the Adventure for Good Grant and get up to £100,000 to support your next charity fundraising challenge. Whether trekking remote terrain, tackling endurance feats, or raising awareness through adventure, we’ve got you covered. Open to UK‑based fundraisers aged 18+. Apply by 16 July 202...

07/07/2025

🎉 Celebrating Jane Laitt! 🎉

We’re incredibly proud to honour Jane Laitt, our fantastic Clinic Manager and Optometrist at our Manchester clinic, for achieving an inspiring milestone — 116 volunteering days with Vision Care for Homeless People! 👏💙

Jane’s dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to making eye care accessible to those most in need is truly admirable. Your work is transforming lives Jane, one eye test at a time. 👁️🫶

Thank you, on behalf of Hannah Telfer and the whole VCHP team Jane, for being the heart of our mission and an inspiration to us all! 💫

29/06/2025

Great to be at the Gloucester 10K this morning - marshalling with VCHP volunteer Aziza Kharodia- There were so many runners! Really inspiring to see. Thank you Gloucester Quays Rotary Club for organising and for having VCHP as one of your charities of support. Nicala Carroll- was also out on the course somewhere - 'wearing 2 hats' today - as VCHP volunteer plus this years President of the Gloucester Quays Rotary Club.

27/06/2025

☀️It's been bright out there- very much a sunglasses on day -😎 so thank you Centro Style for your kind donation of sunnies winging their way to our Brighton and Manchester clinics. Thank you also to STEPPER UK for your recent donation which helped our Birmingham and London clinics.
It's today - so a good opportunity for a shout out to other companies who might have some to share. People experiencing homelessness are more vulnerable to the damaging effects of UV rays to eyesight as they are more likely to spend time outside without shelter. UV radiation can have both short- and long-term effects on the condition of our eyes. It can burn the surface, cornea and lens of the eye, much like sun can burn skin. Long-term exposure to UV radiation can be serious, increasing the risk of developing cataracts. It can also cause cancers of the eyelid and contribute to Macular Degeneration. Please contact alison.gordon@vchp.org.uk if you can help. 😎😁

23/06/2025

During Small Charity Week we are reflecting on the impact Vision Care for Homeless People has on the lives of people affected by homelessness. This year we have continued to welcome people to our clinics in Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Edinburgh, Exeter, Gloucester, Leeds, London, and Manchester - plus started to see patients from January at our new clinic in Plymouth.
Starting with stats today! ... 😁
🌟 During the first 5 months of 2025 - across our static clinics our volunteer teams delivered 382 sight tests – of which 101 weren't covered by NHS funding - and dispensed 521 pairs of glasses. 👏
🌟 Jan to March also covered the final 3 months of our Domi Pilot which we ran with Specsavers Yorkshire Domi team - and delivered an additional 74 Sight tests – all non NHS funded and dispensed 61 pairs of glasses. 👏

Small Charity Week is a campaign that amplifies and supports the amazing work of small charities across the UK. VCHP - like other small charities - makes a big difference to the lives of our patients. We know we change lives through providing free eyecare to people experiencing homelessness - and we know we can only continue to do so with the help of our generous supporters - so thank you!

18/06/2025

😢 A post we hate to share - our Leeds clinic had to be cancelled this week because we were short of volunteers. We stood down the clinic assistant because we needed an optometrist and none of our small pool of optom volunteers could make it. So - no clinic = no patients seen at St Georges Crypt Daycentre - even though the centre was busy with folk looking to make use of the various support services there. We urgently need some additional help so we can run regular clinics. If you are an optom, DO or clinic assistant - and think you might be able to help so we don't have to cancel future clinics, please get in touch - The Leeds clinic operates on either Mondays or Wednesday mornings .. even if you can only volunteer occasionally we'd love to hear from you!!
Check out our volunteering pages and complete a Tell Me More Form here: ➡️ https://www.visioncarecharity.org/join-us/volunteers

🙏 We need your help to provide a regular eyecare service to people experiencing homelessness in Leeds - if you can't volunteer yourself - please share our post to help us reach those who can! Thank you!!

06/06/2025

Px d) had not had a sight test for several years and in need of glasses. He was at the centre and heard the service was running. He couldn’t read before – and reported on picking up his spectacles that the glasses made him feel less stressed.