How Specsavers are helping vendors see and be seen

“I’ve been selling the Big Issue for nearly 20 years now,” says vendor Clive Rowe, with justifiable pride. “And Geezer here has been with me for 15 of those.” He gestures to his canine companion, a dog who’s seen almost as much of Plymouth’s streets as Clive has.

In a world where eye tests can feel far from a priority, and where cheap, pound-shop reading glasses and squinting at small print are the norm, Clive and his fellow Plymouth vendor, Mihaela Postaru have benefitted from a true community collaboration. For the past two years, Big Issue and Specsavers have been teaming up to bring better sight to the lives of vendors across the UK. It’s a partnership that’s less about rose-tinted glasses and more about the nitty-gritty of community support.

“My reading is absolutely terrible,” Clive, who sells the magazine by Plymouth’s Theatre Royal, admits. “I can’t do without glasses.” His journey from pound-shop specs to a pair of brand-new prescription frames shows this collaboration in action. “Having a proper pair of glasses is so much better,” he says, adjusting his new frames with a satisfied nod.

Mihaela’s story, on the other hand, is less about gaining new glasses and more about gaining peace of mind. “I was worried because I had a little bit of an eye infection in my left eye, and my right eye was really unclear as well,” she explains. Her brush with better eye care came in the form of an invitation. “I was selling outside Sainsbury’s and Josie from [the Sainsbury’s store] Specsavers came to me and asked me if I wanted my eyes checked.”

The result? A clean bill of eye health and a sigh of relief. “When they told me that my eyes were healthy, I was ecstatic,” she grins.

Susan Owen, a Frontline Vendor Support Worker at Big Issue, outlines some of the challenges vendors face. “Many Big Issue vendors come from a background of homelessness,” she says. “This may not be on the streets in a cardboard box, but it could be in a hostel or shelter, or sleeping on someone’s floor. When you’re in that situation, getting an eye test is not usually a priority. Your priority is getting somewhere safe and warm to sleep, getting food for the day.” She also thinks personal pride is another barrier.

“I think that sometimes they can be embarrassed,” she explains. “They may not be as clean and smell as fresh as someone else, they wonder whether they’re going to be treated the same, treated in a friendly way and with respect.”

But both Clive and Mihaela had their fears reassured when they went to their appointments. “I was surprised when I went in,” says Clive. “There’s so many friendly staff and the moment you walk in they make you welcome.” Despite initial nerves, Mihaela found the experience easy and seamless. “I wasn’t used to all the eye tests and lights and everything,” she admits. “But they made it so much easier for me, they told me not to worry and told me exactly what to do.”

For Dame Mary Perkins, co-founder of Specsavers, the partnership makes sense. After all, a high street optician is a key part of any community and should be accessible to every member of that community. “Since my husband Doug and I set up Specsavers 40 years ago, we have always had a commitment to delivering accessible, community-based healthcare,” she says. “Helping people to see and hear better regardless of their circumstances. That might mean visiting the homes of people who cannot leave them unaided through our domiciliary Home Visits service or making eye and hearing care more accessible for people experiencing homelessness. Helping to remove the barriers that some people, like Mihaela or Clive, might face to getting the eye and hearing care they have a right to, is extremely important to us.”

As Big Issue and Specsavers continue to expand our partnership, vendors across the UK are finding themselves with clearer vision and, perhaps, a clearer path forward. It’s a collaboration that’s less about grand gestures and more focused on practical support – proving that sometimes, the most revolutionary act is simply helping someone see a bit better or giving them confidence and peace of mind.

And it’s about more than just glasses or eye tests. It’s about recognition, respect, and the simple dignity of being seen – both literally and figuratively. As Clive and Geezer head back to their pitch, and Mihaela returns to her spot outside Sainsbury’s, they carry with them not just the ability to see clearly, but the knowledge that they themselves have been seen, heard and valued. And in a world that often overlooks those on its margins, that might be the most visionary outcome of all.

About Specsavers Out of Hours Service

Forty-four Specsavers stores are trialling free eye health clinics outside of usual opening hours for people experiencing homelessness. The clinics aim to provide a quieter experience for patients, some of whom face barriers to health care. Local homelessness organisations work with the stores to identify and accompany patients. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and the hope is to roll this out to more stores soon.

Click here to find out more