Vision Care for Homeless People (VCHP) celebrated its 20th anniversary this year and announced ambitious plans to open as many as 20 clinics in the UK over the next five years.
The charity sought volunteers with management experience in running optical businesses who could spare a few hours each week.
VCHP’s plans were announced ahead of its 20th anniversary, which will be marked on September 29 with a party for those who dedicated their time to the charity.
Elaine Styles, co-founder of VCHP, told Optician: ‘We have secured some space for a small party in the City of London, not far from our very first clinic at Crisis at Christmas. We have invited all of our volunteers and supporters from the optical community to come and join us and to celebrate the work we have done and continue to do.’
The charity was founded in 2003 by a group of optometrists, led by Styles and Harinder Paul, after recognising a need for eye care after clinics were held in conjunction with Crisis at Christmas.
‘The intention – then, 20 years ago – is the same as it is today; to provide everyone with eye care and glasses when they are needed,’ Styles explained.
‘Over the years, we have referred many patients to hospital for treatment, having diagnosed some serious pathologies. We know that we have made a real difference to many lives and hopefully provided a small step to a safer way to live,’ she added.
Developing services
Styles said that finding the right place for clinics has always been the biggest challenge the charity faced, but over the years VCHP identified that setting up clinics within existing homeless centres was the best route to take.
‘It means that we are in a recognised location and many of the people we want to help might already be using facilities within the centre and feel that we are approachable,’ she said.
Since VCHP held its first clinic with Crisis at Christmas, it has opened centres in Leeds, Brighton, Manchester, Exeter, London and Birmingham, plus Bristol and Stratford in East London coming soon. A clinic development manager has been appointed to look at sites in the North, including Edinburgh and Newcastle. The charity planned to open a clinic in Gloucester and its first in Wales.
In 20 years of VCHP, Styles noted that the way eye care was delivered had changed but the charity was able to continue services because of the level of support available.
‘We have always been supported to an amazing degree by the UK optical community, with the donation of often brand-new technology. The labs – large and small – have taken care of our glazing needs and frames and cases are donated, along with a good supply of much needed ready readers,’ she said.
Styles highlighted a need for more fundraisers, volunteer optometrists and clinic managers because VCHP aimed to have every clinic running independently.
‘We know that our service is needed in cities and towns throughout the UK and we are welcomed by the local community when we introduce the idea of a new clinic. However, the work needed to set this up and ensure that we are GOC compliant takes time. Training the volunteers and keeping a strong team together so that they are confident and knowledgeable about the needs of this community is time consuming.’
A rewarding experience
Styles added that eye care professionals should volunteer because they will likely find the experience to be the most rewarding part of their week.
She said: ‘They make a tremendous difference to people’s lives and there is nothing but gratitude and appreciation for the time they spend with the patients. Every patient has a story to tell and, although it is normally sad, we know that we are making a significant difference to their lives.
‘It is not just optometrists that we need, but also clinic managers and fundraisers. This is a great way to reach out to the local community and engage with so many different organisations. The important thing about VCHP is that every pound raised goes to a good use. We don’t run any offices and have no full-time staff. We are a very lean charity with the smallest of overheads and our supporters like that.’