Vision Care for Homeless People

Vision Care for Homeless People is a registered charity in the United Kingdom, which provides Eye examinations and glasses to homeless people in the United Kingdom.
Operations
Vision Care for Homeless People have two centres in London and one in Birmingham. Three others are under discussion, in London, Newcastle and Oxford. Homeless people may not know that when receiving financial benefits that they are eligible for an NHS eye examination and voucher towards spectacles. Even if they do know this, there are few practices that will make spectacles totally free of charge and even a small charge may be unmanageable.
The NHS sight test interval is every two years unless diabetic or aged 70 yrs or over, therefore if eligible for a spectacle voucher people can only get one every two years. Statistically homeless people are more likely to have their property stolen, or be assaulted and therefore spectacles might be lost or broken beyond repair. Homeless people report not feeling welcome or comfortable going into high-street opticians.
Their first consulting room opened in September 2003 in the Crisis Skylight building, which is an award winning education, training and employment centre for homeless and vulnerably housed people in East London. The clinic runs every Monday. It was followed in May 2007 by a clinic on a Wednesday in The Passage House, which provides accommodation and support for vulnerable rough sleepers in Victoria, London. The newest centre to open was in November 2008 in Birmingham at the The Salvation Army hostel in Snow Hill. The service runs every Monday.
Vision Care for Homeless People provide a complete eye examination for over 3,500 people and dispensed over 3,600 pairs of spectacles free of charge for people who otherwise wouldn't have received them.
History
In 2003, four British optometrists decided to form a Charity to provide eyecare to homeless and other vulnerable people in the United Kingdom. The initial idea came from Harinder Paul. He noticed the lack of eyewear and facilities to provide eyecare to locals during his travels especially in the townships in South Africa. He was inspired to help somehow, and on his return to England, he discussed his observations and ideas with a few people. Since 1998 Elaine Styles had successfully run an opticians service at the Crisis Christmas. Mohan Vaithianathar had also worked for various vision aid organisations providing eyecare to the less fortunate overseas. Edwin Achu had always been keen to do some work with vision aid but the opportunity never presented itself!
Their aim is to preserve, protect and promote the ocular health of homeless and vulnerable people in the UK who are unwilling or unable to access mainstream services available through the NHS. It includes screening of ocular health and the provision of spectacles, that meets the immediate visual needs of our beneficiaries.
They wanted to provide optical services to homeless and other vulnerable people in an environment in which they feel comfortable. It took five months of organization to find the equipment they needed, the right location and the volunteers to run the clinic and in September 2003 the charity was born.
The charity's patron is Baron Filkin, of Pimlico in the City of Westminster. In October 2007 Lord Filkin hosted an afternoon tea at The Houses of Parliament to raise awareness of Vision Care for Homeless People among the optical community.
Support
Each Christmas, the charity run the Eye examination service for . In a single week over two hundred people have their eyes examined and desperately needed spectacles dispensed.
The charity is well supported by the UK eye care industry with generous donations of equipment and is the chosen charity for The Federation of Manufacturing Opticians. Essilor UK Ltd and Horizon Optical have generously supported the charity by glazing the spectacle frames.
For a week each year, Vision Care For Homeless People attends The Big Issue Foundation Health Week, an annual event where health practitioners provide services to vendors advising on all aspects of health and better lifestyle.
Fundraising
Vision Care for Homeless People is funded by donations made by charitable trusts, optical companies and individuals.

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