JUMP TO CONTENT

Flexible foundations that built a career

Written byNatassia Gunn
Posting date: 13 Nov 2024

Join Tomi Fayefunmi, Optometrist at Specsavers Hempstead Valley, as he shares how the flexibility at Specsavers Hempstead Valley has enhanced both his personal and professional life.

“I started working at Specsavers during sixth form while I was still figuring out my career path” Tomi recalls. “Honestly, I had no idea what I wanted to do after school, other than finding a role where I could grow professionally while helping people. It was only during my work experience that I realised a career in optometry would give me just that. What appealed to me was the flexibility in shaping my future. There are so many paths you can take and so many doors that open as your skills develop.”

Balancing work and life

“One of the best things about my job is that flexibility. It extends to the hours I work too. I do condensed hours, so I get a four-day workweek. That extra day off is a game-changer – it gives me time to do what I love and really helps with job satisfaction. It’s a nice balance between being professional and having time to relax with friends and family. The store partners here are really accommodating with workdays and holidays, which makes balancing work and personal life so much easier.

Even though I commute from Essex, the 30-40 minute drive is totally manageable. The relaxed atmosphere at the store really helps me plan my day efficiently. This flexibility makes it easier to handle follow-up appointments, unexpected patients, and supervise colleagues, all of which make my work experience really fulfilling.”

Looking to the future

“Looking ahead, I want to expand my skills with additional qualifications like Independent Prescribing and Medical Retina. I’ve already talked to the store partners here, and they’re supportive. Plus, I’m lucky to have a great team around me. Some of them are further along in their careers and are always willing to help. Next year, I’ll get to supervise a new pre-reg optometrist, which will be a great chance to learn about leadership and support the next generation, just like others have supported me.”


Written byNatassia Gunn
List #1

#FeelsLikeSpecsavers

My 10-year story – with the badges to show for it!

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/09/2025

Summary

From Optical Assistant to Dispensing Optician and now Trainee Contact Lens Optician, Kerry Berridge has spent the last decade building a fulfilling career at Specsavers – all while raising a family an

Teaser

Read more
A Saturday job that sparked something bigger

Teaser

Partnership

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/07/2025

Summary

At 16, Charlie-Leigh Martin took a Saturday job at her local Specsavers in Chelmsley Wood. Six years later, she’s running her own store in Alcester as a director. “I was still in sixth form and thinki

Teaser

Read more
From college to clinical tech - growing with Specsavers

Teaser

Apprenticeships

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

06/30/2025

Summary

From college to clinical tech...and beyond Ellie Long, Apprentice Optical Assistant, tells us about her apprenticeship journey so far, and how she went from leaving college to joining Specsavers wi

Teaser

Read more
Home is where the hearing is

Teaser

Home Visits

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

06/11/2025

Summary

Home is where the hearing is Aekta Patel, Audiology Director, shares her perspective on the value of partnerships in delivering audiology care through home visits. "It’s a tough gig. But it’s wo

Teaser

Read more
From Bolton to Bristol - How Jumanah got her career moving

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

06/04/2025

Summary

Jumanah's journey with Specsavers is all about finding the right support and making the most of new opportunities. Despite a bumpy start, she flourished with the help of her amazing team and her own d

Teaser

Read more
From school leaver to Home Visits Director: Danielle's story

Teaser

Audiology

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

05/22/2025

Summary

From school leaver to Home Visits Director: A career built on care, growth, and support  When Danielle left school in 2005, she wasn’t entirely sure what her future would look like - but she k

Teaser

Read more
"I'm passionate that leadership is for everyone!"

Teaser

Support Office

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

05/08/2025

Summary

"I'm passionate that leadership is for everyone!"  In light of Learning at Work Week, Zoe Stebbings, Leadership Development Programme Manager for UK/ROI Retail, tells us about her career journey to

Teaser

Read more
"It's like watching light bulbs come on!"

Teaser

Support Office

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

05/08/2025

Summary

"It's like watching light bulbs come on!"  During Learning at Work Week 2025, Jenny Clifford, Global Learning Experience Design Lead, tells us why she loves learning and how Specsavers supports her

Teaser

Read more
"I wanted something bigger": Anna-Marie's story

Teaser

Dispensing

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

05/02/2025

Summary

Born and raised in England, Anna-Marie moved to Northern Ireland at 18, unsure of her career path. She dabbled in painting and art, but it wasn’t until she took a receptionist role at an independent o

Teaser

Read more
From dispensing optician to being her own boss: Verity's story

Teaser

Dispensing

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

04/28/2025

Summary

Verity's journey from a dedicated dispensing optician to a business owner at Specsavers shines a light on one of the several varied paths a DO (Dispensing Optician) could take with Specsavers. Here,

Teaser

Read more
Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

View more jobs
List #1

Selected jobs for you

Optometrist

Salary

DOE

Location

Nuneaton, West Midlands, United Kingdom

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Optometrist

Locations

Nuneaton

Description

Store – NuneatonPosition – Optometrist  Salary: Attractive salary - DOE Hours: Full Time ideally (Part time could be considered) Join our team and be part of our success story at Nuneaton Specsavers. 

Reference

sf-80662-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Connie Fazackerley View job
Optometrist

Salary

Competitive

Location

Kings Lynn, East England, United Kingdom

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Optometrist

Locations

Kings Lynn

Description

Store – Kings LynnPosition – Optometrist  Salary: Up to £65k + other perks discussed at interview  Hours: Full Time ideally (Part time could be considered) Join our team and be part of our success sto

Reference

sf-80558-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Connie Fazackerley View job
Optical Assistant

Salary

£24,264 per annum

Location

Cranleigh, South East, United Kingdom

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Optical Assistant

Locations

Cranleigh

Description

So, you’re a proactive people person ready to be the friendly face our stores need? Sounds like you’d be a great fit here. So, if you’ve had previous optical experience as an Optical Advisor or Dispen

Reference

sf-83318-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Hannah Soutar

Author

Hannah Soutar
View job
View more jobs