At Crisis we rely on the support of hundreds of volunteers who roll up their sleeves and give up their time at our reception to greet members when they walk into our Skylights, at events to cheer for our fundraisers or in one of our Charity Shops to ensure that customers receive the best possible experience.
Crisis is also supported by specialist volunteers such as our friends from Specsavers who enable us to offer important healthcare services to members attending our Health and Wellbeing days. Building on the amazing engagement and feedback from members who received treatment at one of our eye care clinics at Crisis at Christmas, we are working closely with the Specsavers homelessness team to run regular eye tests at health and wellbeing days across our regional Skylight centres. Already this year almost 30 members at 3 clinics in Merseyside, Swansea and Newcastle have accessed free eye tests and glasses which will have a positive impact on their lives and help with practical things such as reading bills and thus will support them during their journey out of homelessness. Specsavers also made it possible for us to offer regular audiology support to Crisis’ members by adding ear health checks to the service offer at Health and Wellbeing Days across our Skylights. Last month, the Oxford Skylight had their first ever Ear Clinic at their Health & Wellbeing Day and was joined by a Specsavers audiologist who delivered 9 ear health checks and 2 wax removals to members. The clinics are very popular with members and Specsavers staff will be running 5 more clinics between August und October, to ensure that as many members as possible can access this vital sevice.
Joni Nettleship, Comms and Engagement manager of the homelessness programme says, 'Specsavers is committed to improving access to ear and eye health for all and our partnership with Crisis is key to this. We wish to thank all our store, Home Visit and support office colleagues who donate their time to enable Crisis members to receive the health care they may need, and we are looking forward to providing Crisis at Christmas support for the third year.'
To reach more people experiencing homelessness across the country Specsavers is trailing free eye care appointments out of hours at selected stores. At these appointments people receive free eye-care, sight tests and glasses, if needed. At the end of June, Crisis, Vision Care for Homeless People (VCHP) and Specsavers came together in Edinburgh to launch the newly opened Wellness Floor in the Edinburgh Skylight which was fully funded by Specsavers and possesses a dedicated Eye Care Clinic, VCHP’s first clinic in Scotland. The new clinic will be open one day a week to Crisis members, but also the wider community in Edinburgh. In addition to offering eye care appointments, the space will allow Crisis to work closely with other local homeless organisations and healthcare providers to bring vital services closer to people experience homelessness and give them the opportunity to access them in a safe and secure way.
Mark Kennedy, director of the Crisis Skylight in Edinburgh, said: 'Crisis has been running frontline services for people experiencing homelessness in Scotland for more than a decade, but this new clinic will allow us to do even more for the people we work with. We’re incredibly grateful to Specsavers and VCHP for their support. Having the clinic available for our members is invaluable in helping people to improve their eye health and, ultimately, to help them on their journey out of homelessness.'
Aside from all of the amazing clinical work Specsavers are supporting Crisis with staff and colleagues continue to raise funds for Crisis’ services and support by volunteering across our shops and warehouse. Early this year, 5 keen runners joined Team Crisis for the London Marathon and London Landmarks Half marathon raising over £5,000 which was generously match funded by Specsavers. The fantastic East Retail Support Team took 250,000 steps on 25 July to raise £2,000 for Crisis and shine a light on the more than 250,000 individuals and households that are experiencing the worst forms of homelessness in Great Britain. Next month, from 2nd – 9th September 3 Specsavers colleagues will once again join Crisis CEO Matt Downie and cycle 500 miles from London to Edinburgh in 7 days, to raise £7,500 for our services. In addition, Specsavers will be sponsoring the Bike Ride challenge to provide extra support to Crisis.
We are so proud of all of the amazing work Specsavers and Crisis have been doing in the past two years and look forward to working together in the future.
Thank you to everyone at Specsavers for your dedication to Crisis!
