Specsavers in Morningside ran an out of hours clinic on Monday for people affected by homelessness.
As well as offering free eye tests, glasses and hearing tests the staff created a welcoming quiet environment where their clients could speak to a healthcare professional.
As well as Specsavers, other local businesses helped to support the clinic with food, essential winter clothing and baby clothes including St James Management, Houseproud, Waitrose, Toys Galore, JoJo Maman Bébé and 181 Deli.
The clinic welcomed members of the local community in partnership with charity Social Bite, Streetwork at Simon Community Scotland and The Bethany Christian Trust. The store also regularly liaised with The Big Issue, Hillcrest, Crisis and Shelter ahead of the special event. Anyone who attended was offered a sight test, OCT scan and glasses as well as checks on hearing with hearing devices if needed.
Michael O’Kane, clinical director at Specsavers Morningside and Cameron Toll, says: ‘To mark World Homeless Day, we were pleased to host our first out-of-hours clinic to offer our services to people experiencing homelessness.
‘I am incredibly proud of the team and to Social Bite, Streetwork at Simon Community Scotland and The Bethany Christian Trust who helped make this possible.
‘It is our long-term aim to ensure that everyone can access free, appropriate eye and hearing care which ultimately will help improve quality of life.
‘Specsavers as a business, and as a local team within the Morningside community and beyond, is committed to making healthcare accessible to everyone. I really hope that this helps raise awareness of the issue and the current barriers people are facing.’
The clinic was repeated across the country by more than 180 Specsavers stores and Home Visits businesses inviting anyone affected by homelessness to make use of their services for free.
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 people affected have access to free ear checks, eye tests and glasses, and replacement glasses if broken, lost or stolen.
To find out more, visit specsavers.co.uk/news-and-information/community/homelessness
