Anyone could be a few missed pay cheques away from homelessness 

“I couldn’t see anything,” says Bruce, remembering his time sleeping rough at Manchester Airport. “When you’re homeless your glasses get damaged or lost, you feel vulnerable, isolated. You bump into things.” Now volunteering at the Vision Care for Homeless People (VCHP) clinic at the Cornerstone Centre, near the Hulme area of Manchester, Bruce knows more than anyone the vital importance of accessible eye care for people experiencing homelessness.

The bustling centre, operated by Caritas Salford, hosts a weekly eye clinic run by VCHP, supported by Specsavers and other opticians who have donated equipment, their time and free glasses for those who need them.

It’s lunchtime, and the main hall is filled with people, around a hundred or so, sharing meals together, enjoying tomato soup and a roast dinner. The smell of roast beef hangs over the room, and there are cakes donated by a local store in the kitchen. Anyone experiencing or at risk of falling into homelessness can come here to access a meal, clothing and support. A Pride flag flies outside, and the centre’s garden (which doubles as an outdoor gym) grows fresh vegetables and herbs – little touches that make everyone feel welcome.

In a small but well-equipped examination room, lead optometrist Jane tests patients’ eyes using equipment donated by the local Specsavers store, as well as other organisations. Her patient is selecting his frames. “I’m a bit of a funky dude, I like to stand out a little bit more,” he says, trying a pair on. Laughing, Jane offers another pair. “How about these?” she says, before going on to discuss tinted lenses. He does, indeed, look a funky dude in his new specs.

For Bruce, this service proved transformative. Beyond providing him with much-needed glasses, the eye test revealed serious underlying conditions requiring specialist care.

“Jane picked up that I had a problem with my eyes and referred me to Manchester Royal Infirmary,” Bruce explains. He’s cheerful and matter-of-fact in the face of a condition that could seriously impact his quality of life. “They picked up something that could be really serious if I fell or hit my head. Now I know to be careful. Because of this place, I’ve been lucky. I’ve got eye drops now for the rest of my life, and I know exactly how to look after myself.” Had the problem not been discovered, Bruce’s eye health and vision would have been at risk. Now the progress of the condition has been slowed.

The need for such services is pressing in Manchester, where recent statistics show one in every 74 people is experiencing homelessness – a sharp rise from one in 154 in 2017. Bruce’s story illustrates how quickly circumstances can change. “Mine was financial,” he says. “I had a long-term relationship break down, and things snowballed. I knew I was going to be homeless, so I googled it and tried to prepare myself. Manchester offered support services not every city has.”

At the airport, Bruce found a way to cope. “I got into my routine, kept myself tidy and out of trouble. I never got any problems from security or police – I’d just try to keep as low a profile as I could.”

Jodie Conroy, an optometrist who owns a Specsavers store in Accrington, volunteers at the clinic and has seen how precarious situations can be. “Anyone could be a few missed pay cheques away from homelessness,” she says. “I probably had some misconceptions before, but there are so many people who’ve fallen on hard times. They had a life like mine, and then something happened within a short space of time.”

Research by Caritas shows 74% of people who use Cornerstone have problems with their eyesight. It highlights the impact of on-site care: while 15% of people at centres without opticians report problems accessing eye care, at Cornerstone – where opticians are available on-site – no one reported such difficulties. The clinic removes obstacles. There’s no need for a fixed address, no requirement to keep appointments, and no cost. This is vital. People experiencing homelessness face specific challenges related to eyecare that are often overlooked.

“We see a lot more cataracts in younger people, alongside other eye conditions,” Jodie explains. “The lifestyle when you’re homeless means eye diseases often appear much earlier than we’d typically see in our high street practice.” Catching such conditions early is crucial.

Specsavers’ commitment extends beyond the clinic. Since November 2022, all Big Issue vendors have been offered free eye tests, OCT scans and glasses. This includes ear wax removal – essential services that can be difficult to access without a permanent address. Now in social housing and volunteering at the clinic himself, Bruce helps others access the care that helped him. His optimism is infectious. “Everything in life is temporary,” he says. “It’s about never losing hope, because things can change. And they did. Manchester offered people who cared and looked after me. That’s wonderful.”

Specsavers’ partnership with VCHP includes plans to triple the number of clinics across the UK over the next five years, expanding from eleven to 24 locations. As lunch service winds down at Cornerstone, the atmosphere remains welcoming. “I look forward to volunteering here more than any day at work,” Jodie admits. “Everyone is just so unbelievably grateful for your time.” It’s a sentiment Bruce absolutely understands. “Thank god for Manchester,” he says. “People looked after me. Because… I know this sounds awful, I don’t mean to get the violin out, but nobody wanted me… And Manchester offered people who cared and looked after me.”

Find out more about VCHP and how you can support them at visioncarecharity.org