We find ourselves at a time of year where thoughts turn to celebrations with family and friends, to a season of giving where we think of others, including those less fortunate than ourselves. It is also a time where reflection and introspection are most likely to occur, as the year comes to an end and we prepare for a new one.
One of the privileges of my role is that I hear almost a constant stream of what is being done to help individuals and communities by fellow registrants across the sector, making a difference by giving their time and energy in their own area or further afield, such as supporting Vision Action and similar organisations.
It is heart-warming to see all those involved in charitable and community projects, from offering eye care to people experiencing homelessness to volunteering at local park renovations and raising monies for worthwhile causes in practice – the list is as long as it is varied. I commend you all.
There are many worthy charities in our sector, such as Blind Veterans UK, which do some amazing work supporting people who have vision loss, and their families. Frankly, they are working harder than ever as an ageing population and an over-burdened ophthalmology system leads to more and more sight loss, much of which is preventable.
I was delighted to join many colleagues from the sector at the Palace of Westminster to launch Specsavers State of the UK’s Eye Health 2022 report, where Marsha de Cordova, MP for Battersea and co-chair of the all party parliamentary group on eye health and vision impairment, announced her intention to put forward a bill for a national eye health strategy. This had its first reading in the House of Commons on November 29.
With 640,000 people waiting to see an ophthalmologist in England alone and 250 people a day beginning to lose their vision (500 per day by 2050), the need for change has never been greater. That change starts with you.
I believe our industry has some of the very best people, and are motivated to do good in their professional work and beyond. We interact with millions of people every month across the varied landscape of optics. We see those who are apprehensive about accessing care and those who are lonely; the whole spectrum of humanity.
Sight is repeatedly voted as the sense people would fear losing the most. It is truly a gift – just ask someone who has seen their own vision deteriorate. We play a pivotal role in how those accessing our services are educated about the importance of eye care. They then carry that message on to others who, hopefully, over time, realise the importance of accessing care. It is a message I’ve raised in this column before. How are you giving and sharing that important gift of knowledge? What words are you choosing?
Words are powerful things and the old adage ‘the pen is mightier than the sword’ has been attributed to many, one of the earliest being Edward Bulwer-Lytton. It appears in his 1839 play Richelieu; Or The Conspiracy. But it is the Jamaican political activist Marcus Garvey’s quote that really resonates with me. He said: ‘The pen is mightier than the sword, but the tongue is mightier still.’ How true.
As registrants, we are frequently a figure of authority for the colleagues we work with, who play a vital role in promoting this message and supporting the delivery of high-quality services. What tools are you giving them so that they can share this message? What motivation, support and words of encouragement? Being generous with your time undoubtedly has a knock-on effect in the care they offer and those words they share with those accessing services.
Promoting benefit to others is a positive thing. In terms of psychology, the neural links between generosity and happiness are well-established. It is thought to be linked to something called your TPJ or temporo-parietal junction. There have also been links made between volunteering and living longer. Certainly, the act of giving promotes cooperation and social connections. But we’ve left someone out; the gifts you give yourself.
You certainly deserve some. Self-development is a broad area: good daily habits and routines, making healthy choices for yourself physically, spiritually and mentally. How will you make a positive difference in your personal and professional life? What words will you say to yourself to motivate that choice and make a difference to yourself and others?
As we look forward to what will, I’m sure, be a brighter 2023 and reflect on a busy 2022, let’s put that notion of being generous to others to the test and see the difference we can really make.
- Paul Morris is director of professional advancement at Specsavers UK & Ireland.