Personal and professional growth: Amy's story

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 around my dog at the minute," she says. Amy spends her days off walking her on the beach, visiting the park, and hiking through the countryside. "We need to keep her active. Otherwise, she is absolutely bonkers!”

Career journey at Specsavers

Amy's journey at Specsavers began when she recognised the potential for growth beyond her role as an optical assistant. "I wanted to expand my skills and be able to help customers holistically, rather than needing to refer more complex cases to a colleague," she explains. Motivated by the desire to help customers directly, Amy pursued a career as a dispensing optician.

Balancing a full-time course while working full-time was intense, but Amy had the backing of her team and directors. "If you need time off to do things, they'd always try to organise it, travel for exams, everything really." The support extended beyond her immediate team, with qualified Dispensing Opticians in the store and from the support office teams providing guidance and advice.

Rewarding aspects of the job

One of the most rewarding aspects of Amy's job is the opportunity to make a real difference in her customers' lives. The Swansea store has a significant contract with the NHS, allowing Amy to see a wide range of patients, including those referred from hospitals and other opticians. "We see quite a lot of low vision patients here, which you most likely won't get exposure to in other places," she notes. Being able to help these patients directly is incredibly fulfilling for Amy.

Feeling valued and supported

In addition to the rewarding nature of her work, Amy feels truly respected and valued at Specsavers. "The directors here and the team here are very open with their appreciation. If you do something really well, they're the first people to tell you," she says.

Another aspect that really helps Amy in her role is having a strong team around her. "Some of the optical assistants in our store have done additional BTEC courses, like Cert 3 and 4. I love that I can rely on them just a little bit more because they have that extra knowledge and expertise," she explains.

Culture and community

Amy describes the culture at the Swansea Specsavers store is close-knit and family-like. "There's no kind of hierarchy here. We're all very much work together. We are really close." Amy says. This sense of belonging extends beyond the Swansea store to the entire Specsavers network. Amy has connections with Dispensing Opticians from other Specsavers stores, creating a supportive community.

Personal and professional growth

Amy's time at Specsavers has helped her grow both personally and professionally. The opportunities for development and the supportive environment have been instrumental in her journey. "I’ve already spoken to Chris, our Retail Director, about doing the professional certificate in paediatric eyecare this year. But it’s not just about the professional stuff. Working at Specsavers has also inspired me to better myself in other ways," she shares. For example, Amy and her colleagues asked to do a sign language course to better communicate with patients who are hard of hearing. "The directors supported us and funded the course, which meant we could learn and improve our skills."

Future aspirations

Looking ahead, Amy's career aspirations include becoming a low vision practitioner. "I fell in love with low vision during my DO course, and it's a field I'm passionate about," she says. Her five-year goal includes relocating to Australia with her partner and continuing her journey with Specsavers there. "The support for relocation within the Specsavers family is fantastic."

Amy is also considering becoming a Contact Lens Optician in the future but for now, she is focused on mastering her current role and learning more in the field of low vision, a qualification that she’s looking forward to starting next year. Reflecting on her career, Amy is proud of her ability to find creative solutions for patients. "Whether it's sourcing special-order lenses or exploring alternative options, I love being the person that can give that help."

Why Specsavers?

In Amy's own words, what makes Specsavers a great place to work for a Dispensing Optician to work? "It's the support. From the directors to the team, the support is second to none. Specsavers is with you every step of the way, from the start of your course to the finish. It's a place where you can grow, learn, and make a real impact."

The support extends beyond the store. Amy received guidance from Kirsteen Newman, who helped her navigate the decision to start the Dispensing Optician course. "Our regional trainer, Kate, was also instrumental in answering my questions and providing support throughout the process. It's a testament to the wider Specsavers network and the resources available to help you succeed."