“Specsavers felt right – so I said yes”: Joel’s story

“I’d just landed in Cambridge and went for a walk. I stopped at a fruit stall opposite Specsavers and saw the word ‘audiologist’ on the shopfront. I told the vendor, ‘I’m an audiologist,’ and he said, ‘I know the guy who owns that store!’” That chance meeting led to an introduction to the store’s retail director, Henry Churchill, and audiology director, Jagdeep Dhillon. Joel was offered an internship while he worked on getting his UK registration.

Although Joel couldn’t stay long at Specsavers Cambridge due to visa and study commitments, the experience really stuck with him. At the time, he was juggling his psychology master’s at Anglia Ruskin University and an internship at the store, all while waiting for his UK audiology registration to come through- which took longer than expected. By the time it finally did, there weren’t any vacancies left in Cambridge.

“I knew I wanted to come back to work at Specsavers,” he says. And he did- this time, the opportunity came from Bournemouth, where his cousin was already working in the NHS. It felt like the right move, and Joel was ready to take the leap. Joel connected with Lesley, a resourcing partner with Specsavers Recruitment Services, through LinkedIn.

“She saw I’d worked with Specsavers before and said, ‘I think you’d be a great fit for Bournemouth.’” It was a big move, but Joel was ready. “I loved the city, I loved the company. So I said yes.”

Relocating from Cambridge to Bournemouth could’ve been stressful, but Joel felt supported every step of the way. “Lesley and my manager Andrew were amazing. They offered to meet me at the station, sent me property listings, and helped with the visa sponsorship. But I wanted to do it myself- I packed up my car and drove down.”

Before his first official day, Joel met Andrew for coffee and a tour of the town. “It made everything easier. I’d already built relationships with the team, so stepping into the role felt natural.”

Now, Joel works five days a week across different clinics. His days start with safety checks and appointment prep, but it’s the patient interactions that bring the most joy. “I tell my patients, ‘You’re going to hear sounds you haven’t heard in years.’ That moment of magic- it’s what I love most.”

He’s also embraced the Specsavers culture, both professionally and socially. “We’ve had team parties, BBQs, and get-togethers. I’ve made friends, and I feel part of a big family.”

Joel recently completed his probation and is now diving into CPD, including wax removal training and attending his first Specsavers Professional Advancement Conference. “I’m taking baby steps,” he says. “There’s always opportunity here-whether it’s training, mentorship, or even the pathway to business ownership.”

His advice to other audiologists considering relocation? “Research the company, not just the job. Specsavers didn’t leave me in the deep end. They figured things out with me, and that made all the difference.”

And when people ask Joel why he’d recommend Specsavers, he doesn’t even pause. “It’s absolutely worth it- the risk, the leap, the change,” he says. “You won’t look back and think, ‘Could I have done better?’ Because honestly, you’ll just keep bettering yourself here.”