Specsavers Rochdale is hosting a special after-hours clinic to provide free sight and hearing checks for people experiencing homelessness, as part of national efforts marking World Homeless Day.
People facing homelessness in Rochdale are being offered free eye tests, glasses and hearing checks at a dedicated out-of-hours clinic next week.
The clinic, hosted by Specsavers on Yorkshire Street, will take place on Tuesday 14 October from 4.30pm to 6pm, offering a quiet and private space for those who may otherwise struggle to access health services.
Organised in recognition of World Homeless Day, which falls on 10 October, the event is part of a wider national programme by Specsavers aimed at removing the barriers that often prevent people without stable housing from accessing basic healthcare.
A team of five staff from Specsavers Rochdale will run the clinic, providing eye tests, OCT scans, glasses, hearing checks, wax removal and hearing aids at no cost. The session is specifically designed to be low-pressure, taking place outside usual opening hours to create a calmer environment for people who may be uncomfortable in busy settings.
Sarah Culshaw, dispensing optician at Specsavers Rochdale, said the team’s mission is to make essential services available to everyone, regardless of housing or financial status.
“Our ambition is to ensure that everyone experiencing homelessness can access free, appropriate eye and hearing care,” she said.
“Sadly, we know this is not the reality for many people. Getting access to NHS-funded care can be incredibly difficult if you don’t have a fixed address or the right paperwork. Holding an out-of-hours clinic allows us to provide expert care in a more accessible way.”
According to research cited by the company, one in three people who experience homelessness need glasses, yet many face systemic barriers when trying to access treatment or replacements.
Specsavers’ nationwide campaign includes collaboration with homelessness charities such as Crisis, Big Issue, and Vision Care, and calls for long-term policy changes to improve access to eye and ear health services.
The firm is also advocating for reforms that would allow people experiencing homelessness to access free replacement glasses if their original pair are lost, damaged or stolen, a common occurrence for those living on the streets.
The Rochdale store’s initiative is one of several taking place across the UK, with Specsavers aiming to create a more inclusive model of care that goes beyond eligibility rules and financial means.
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