
The many ways Specsavers is leading the way in Optometry
Sign Up For Post Alerts
“It’s feeling like part of a family and your community.”
After working in independent practices for a while, I was specifically looking for opportunities at Specsavers. It felt like a place I’d feel very at home. I liked the buzz of the stores and the way they worked, so I was happy when a role came up. That was over 22 years ago. In that time, I’ve been an optometrist and then a director. I feel very grateful that I've been on this journey with Specsavers. They’ve taken me out of my comfort zone and developed my confidence.
Six years ago, my partner and I opened a store in Maghull, in Sefton and we’re looking forward to opening a third store next year in Prescot. We've got great teams in both stores that have a very positive, supportive attitude to each other. We've all got each other's backs and look for ways to help one another.
Learning from each other
We’re here to support the development of team members as much as they want it. We’ve had people who started as optical assistants, who’ve gone on to become dispensing opticians. One of our dispensing opticians is now at Bradford University to do the one-year intensive conversion course to become an optometrist. She'll be coming back to us next September. It's been really rewarding over the years to see people go on those journeys.
Just over a year ago, we became a hub for Hearcare and we partnered with an audiologist for that side of the business. So, I’m trying to develop my own experience as well, within the Hearcare side of things. I’m really curious about hearing and how we can help people. I want to build my skills in this area.
Driving a better future for eyecare
There are some remarkable people in this organisation, and I really feel like we're leading the way in optometry. For example, we’re involved in schemes which extend the services available for our customers. Our Maghull store is in one of only three places in the UK that’s part of the Optometry First scheme. We offer CUES (Community Urgent Eyecare Service) and MECS (Minor Eye Conditions Service) to allow easier and more timely access to eye care for patients with eye conditions both urgent and chronic, without the need to travel to the hospital and sit in a waiting area for long periods. In addition, we are involved with glaucoma referral refinement schemes and cataract shared care. We hope to be involved with glaucoma and macula degeneration shared care as it develops. These services help reduce the burden on our overloaded hospitals and give our clinicians a greater opportunity to utilise our clinical skills.
Being part of the community
There is a real sense of community in the work we do too. We have customers come back time and again. They know your name and you pick up from where you left off at their last appointment. There’s such a great atmosphere and camaraderie within the team. It feels really satisfying to serve the community and build that reputation. I think we have the ability at Specsavers to deliver for people and move things forwards in terms of eyecare. We’re leaning into the future in a very positive, courageous way and I'm proud to be part of that.
Tags
#FeelsLikeSpecsavers

Teaser
DispensingContent Type
BlogPublish 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
DispensingContent Type
BlogPublish date
04/14/2025
Summary
Rachel Clarke was seven years old when she decided she wanted to be an optician. Why? Because her ultimate hero, her dad, who knew the answers to every question she ever asked, didn’t know how her

Teaser
DispensingContent Type
BlogPublish date
04/14/2025
Summary
Amy Griffiths, a dedicated Dispensing Optician at the Swansea Specsavers store, has a life that revolves around her passion for optics and her energetic collie, Aurora. "My life kind of really centres

Teaser
AudiologyContent Type
BlogPublish date
04/09/2025
Summary
Kristi journey from optics to audiology is a reflection of her determination and passion for helping others. Initially working in the Redditch branch of Specsavers, Kristi was intrigued by a career
by
Mike Davidson

Teaser
International CareersContent Type
BlogPublish date
04/08/2025
Summary
A new beginning Chidinma Ulu is an Optometrist who relocated to Bristol from Nigeria back in 2021. She’s excited to share her journey, from her education in Nigeria to becoming a fully qualified Optom

Teaser
ApprenticeshipsContent Type
BlogPublish date
04/03/2025
Summary
Katie Marshall, Supervisor in our Wellington store, started out as an Optical Assistant Apprentice. From going through some particularly tough times due to health challenges to flourishing in her care

Teaser
AudiologyContent Type
BlogPublish date
03/21/2025
Summary
Hi, I'm Deveny, and I'm currently working as a Hearing Aid Dispenser and Clinical Lead at Specsavers Bishopsgate in London. Before moving to the UK, I worked in South Africa across three different lo
by
Mike Davidson

Teaser
Support OfficeContent Type
BlogPublish date
03/20/2025
Summary
Petru's Pavalasc adventure with Specsavers started in February 2014. He'd just moved from London to Bradford with his wife and their six-month-old baby, looking for more than just a job to pay the bil

Teaser
AudiologyContent Type
BlogPublish date
03/17/2025
Summary
After 10 years of being an audiologist in a high-street store, Hasan knew he was ready for a change. With a shift in the demographic of people coming into stores and an increase in requests for home
by
Mike Davidson

Teaser
ApprenticeshipsContent Type
BlogPublish date
03/17/2025
Summary
From Zoology to Optometry - a journey of discovery James Roberts recently celebrated a significant milestone in his career journey by achieving a distinction in his Lab Technician Apprenticeship. Addi
Selected jobs for you
Salary
Up to £25,812.80
Location
Farnham, South, United Kingdom
Contract Duration
Permanent
Area of Interest
Administration roles
Locations
Farnham
Description
So you’re an organisation expert wanting to take your career to the next level? This role could be perfect for you. As an Administrator at Specsavers, you’ll be a key part of our Optics business. You
Reference
sf-81881-1
Expiry Date
01/01/0001

Author
Hannah Soutar
Author
Hannah SoutarSalary
Competitive
Location
Salford, North West, United Kingdom
Contract Duration
Permanent
Area of Interest
Optical Assistant
Locations
Salford
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-81879-1
Expiry Date
01/01/0001

Author
Alicia Downingkeat
Author
Alicia DowningkeatSalary
Competitive
Location
Salford, North West, United Kingdom
Contract Duration
Permanent
Area of Interest
Trainee Optical Assistant
Locations
Salford
Description
Are you a caring individual looking to start your career as an Optical Assistant? You’ve come to the right place. We aren’t looking for people with years of experience and heaps of qualifications, ju
Reference
sf-81880-1
Expiry Date
01/01/0001

Author
Alicia Downingkeat
Author
Alicia Downingkeat