Vision Care

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Vision Care

Free eyecare services for people affected by homelessness in the UK.

Vision Care for Homeless People (VCHP) provides free eye care services for people who are homeless or vulnerably housed in an accessible, friendly environment where they feel safe and welcome. Our mission is to preserve and protect the vision of homeless and vulnerable people in the UK who are unwilling or unable to access treatment through high street opticians. Our patients are particularly disadvantaged when it comes to obtaining eye care. They also suffer a higher level of eye problems than the general population. People need glasses to look for work, find accommodation or simply to keep themselves safe. To reach our patients we base our clinics in homeless centres and provide our eyecare services for free at the point of access. Through our existing clinics we reach around 8% of homeless people across England and aim to reach 40% in the future. CHARITY NUMBER:

The Charity Commission for England and Wales Registration Number 1118076

22/09/2026

👏Many thanks to Admiral Life for match funding Nathan's fundraising total in the Hackney Half Marathon. Nathan - and family - challenged themselves to run in support of Vision Care this summer - raising funds to help us provide our free eye care services for people experiencing homelessness. It's amazing to have a company support their employees in their charity fundraising - Nathan was able to double his fundraising total - which means more people helped with vital eye care. 👁👓
❓Does your company match fund their employees' charity fundraising? This can make such a difference to a small charity! 😍Comment below!

22/08/2026

👏HUGE thank you to Steve and Hazel from The Exeter Inn, Chittlehamholt – Devon – plus all their customers who took part in the monthly charity pub quizzes from summer 25-summer 26. Vision Care was one of 2 charities of support – and we were delighted to receive a cheque for £1730 which will help fund the work we have been doing in Devon in this period. Our volunteer teams delivered 190 free eye tests for people experiencing homelessness over the year - that's 190 lives changed with the gift of better sight! Well done everyone! 🤓

04/08/2026

🏃 Could you run the TCS London Marathon 2027 for Vision Care?
Applications are now open for our three charity places in the 2027 TCS London Marathon!
For one year only, the marathon will take place over two days:
Saturday 24 April 2027 (2 places available)
Sunday 25 April 2027 (1 place available)
By running for Vision Care, you'll be helping provide free eye care for people experiencing homelessness, giving more people the chance to see clearly and access the support they need.
We're looking for passionate runners who are ready to champion Vision Care and commit to reaching – and hopefully exceeding – their fundraising target.
📝 Apply now and tell us why you'd love to run for Vision Care and how you plan to raise funds and awareness 👉 https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/b41fkS5fAB
⏰ Applications close: Friday 4 September 2026

Not a runner? Please share to your networks to help us connect with people who would love to hear about this opportunity. 🙏

14/07/2026

We are delighted to share that Vision Care has been awarded £18,317 by The National Lottery Community Fund.

This funding will help us to run our eye care clinic in Edinburgh for those who are experiencing homelessness.

This project has been made possible thanks to players

We are incredibly grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund and to everyone who plays the National Lottery for helping to make this work possible

22/06/2026

During , we’re celebrating the real, measurable difference Vision Care makes for people affected by homelessness.
This year, our volunteer‑run clinics continue to welcome patients in need of eyecare and we’ve expanded our reach through our Mobile Vision Services, a domiciliary model that brings eyecare directly to people where they are.
👁️ This mixed‑delivery approach is working. Since January, we’ve carried out 670 sight tests and dispensed 730 pairs of glasses. Behind every number is a person whose world has become clearer, safer, and more accessible.
We’re proud of the impact we achieve as a small charity — made possible by the generosity of our supporters and the partnerships we build with fellow charities. Clear sight isn’t a luxury; it’s a lifeline. Thank you all for standing with us. 🫡

26/05/2026

☀️ ☀️ ☀️ It’s bright out there! Can you help protect peoples eyes by donating some sunnies? 😎 - Supplies needed urgently for our Manchester & Birmingham clinics. 🙏

People experiencing homelessness are more vulnerable to the damaging effects of UV rays to eyesight as they are more likely to spend time outside without shelter. ☀️ ☀️ ☀️
UV radiation can have both short- and long-term effects on the condition of our eyes. It can burn the surface, cornea and lens of the eye, much like sun can burn skin. Long-term exposure to UV radiation can be serious, increasing the risk of developing cataracts. It can also cause cancers of the eyelid and contribute to Macular Degeneration.

🕶️ Frame companies – optical stores – please get in touch if you have surplus sunglasses you could donate to our clinics to help people protect themselves through this heat wave - Contact [email protected] or comment below. Thank you!

13/05/2026

May has 2 bank holidays, (and a little more sunshine🌞), more opportunities to enjoy time outdoors with friends and family.

But imagine trying to experience the world around you when everything is blurred because you don’t have, or can’t afford glasses.

Poor vision can lead to headaches, isolation, anxiety, and low confidence - especially when you already feel excluded from society.

This Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re highlighting the link between sight and mental wellbeing.

£50 can help provide life-changing glasses to someone in need, donate via the link in the comments 👇🏽

14/04/2026

🎉 Huge congratulations to our three runners, Rachel McClelland, Anna Frazer and Liz Brown who successfully completed the London Landmarks Half Marathon on Sunday, in aid of Vision Care🏅.
Well done!! We are very proud - and very grateful for the amazing fundraising you have done - collectively raising £2.5K for our clinics 🙏 👁️
🪇 Inspired? Comment below if you'd like to run to champion eyecare services for people experiencing homelessness or email [email protected] - we'd love to chat to you about some great events coming up!

07/01/2026

🔥Count down to Out of the Box Optoversity Challenge continues... 🎉
👉Sign up for first and second years online quiz on 1st Feb.. 🙌
👊 and 1 month today before we meet the final year students on the 7th Feb for a day of challenges and learning experiences. 👏
Sign up for both events closes on the 30th Jan (see link in bio f.f.i and to sign up).
There are some great PRIZES to be won (see our next post!) Are you joining us???
.opsoc

24/12/2025

❄️ This Christmas, help someone rediscover their world. 👓

Donate here to our Christmas appeal 👉 https://visioncareforhomelesspeople.enthuse.com/cf/vision-care-s-christmas-appeal

Address

50-52 Commercial Street
London
E16LT

Website

http://www.visioncareforhomelesspeople.org/

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