
Personal and professional growth: Amy's story
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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."
Ready to join us?
When you come on board, we’ll help you expand your knowledge with professional certifications in areas like low vision and paediatric eye care. Our friendly and supportive environment encourages both personal and professional growth, and you can even explore our unique business ownership opportunities.
We're one of the world's best workplaces – come find out why!
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