I didn’t just change jobs. I changed everything

Ben Asbury, Domiciliary Optical Assistant, made the move from Store Manager in London to the Clwyd and Snowdonia Home Visits team. This unexpected step into domiciliary led him to find a completely different way of working, living, and making a difference.

“If you’d told me a year ago that I’d swap running a busy London store for travelling across North Wales, meeting patients in their homes, I’m not sure I would’ve believed you.

But honestly? It’s the best decision I’ve ever made.

From the shop floor to leading the store

I didn’t start in optics. Like a lot of people, I found my way into Specsavers and worked hard to build a career.

When I moved to London after Covid, I needed something quickly. I walked into the Putney store, had a conversation with the director, and that was it; a great opportunity opened up for a supervisor, and I was thrilled to be offered it.

Within a year, I’d completed my Level 1 & 2 Optical Assistant qualifications, as well as BTEC Level 3 Optical Assistant, and In-Store Trainer levels 1, 2 and 3. I was training new starters, supporting the store between managers, and really getting stuck into how the business worked.

Then came Hammersmith. I joined as an Assistant Manager, but in reality, I was acting Store Manager. No retail director, just three optom directors who trusted me to bring my ideas to life. And I loved it. I helped to transform the store - stock control, frame displays, the look and feel. I started my BTEC level 4 Optical Assistant, I was managing a team and driving performance. On paper, everything was exactly where it should’ve been. But life had other plans.

The moment everything changed

My wife and I had built our family life in London, but behind the scenes, things weren’t easy. We’d been renting for three years, constantly battling issues with our property. Poor conditions, repairs not being done, black mould etc - it started to seriously affect our health. And with a young family, it just wasn’t sustainable.

We needed a change. My wife had always loved the idea of Chester; she’d seen it on TV, so we went to visit. And that was it. We fell in love instantly. The space. The calm. The beauty of it. We explored North Wales too, and I remember thinking; “this feels like a different life”.

Then, on one of those trips, we got an eviction notice due to us challenging the landlord on all the ongoing issues. Suddenly, it wasn’t just a dream anymore. It was happening.

Within days, we’d found a home, met the landlord, signed the contract - all before we’d even made it back down south. Everything moved fast. But it felt right.

A chance I didn’t expect

I’d already been looking at jobs in Chester, so I’d started speaking to the team there. One conversation stood out. It didn’t feel like an interview, just a genuine chat. I told my story, where I’d come from, what mattered to me. I’d applied for a domiciliary Optical Assistant role.

To be honest? I didn’t fully know what to expect. I happened to be in the area on holiday and was offered a trial day. That day changed everything for me.

Why domiciliary just clicked

I’ve always been someone who wants to help people. Properly help them.

And domiciliary? It’s exactly that. You’re not just seeing a patient and stepping into their house - you’re stepping into their world.

Some are vulnerable. Some are isolated. Some just need someone to listen. The more I saw, the more I realised - this is where I can make the biggest difference.

Now, every day is different. One visit might be someone in their 90s telling me how they met their spouse. The next could be a care home, supporting patients with dementia. I’ve seen patients aged 10 to 102.

There was one young boy I’ll never forget - bed-bound, seriously ill, but full of life. We talked about football, Pokémon, games. You know, just normal things. And, as a dad of four, that hit me hard. But those moments - they’re why I do this.

My clinical knowledge has grown

In store, you learn a lot - lenses, dispensing, processes. But domiciliary? It’s more hands-on. More clinical. More personal.

You work side-by-side with an optometrist, constantly learning. You understand the “why” behind every decision. You see conditions up close, understand patients’ wider health, and play a real part in their care.

And you’re never on your own. There’s always support - from your optom, from the office, and from the wider team.

The reality (and why it’s better than I expected)

I’ll be honest - it can feel daunting at first. In store, you know what your day looks like. In domiciliary? You don’t. You might walk into a farmhouse that’s been in a family for 300 years. You might visit someone who lives completely alone. You might be working around pets, tight spaces, or complex needs. But that’s what makes it incredible.

You spend more time with each person. You build trust. You actually fully get to know your patients.

And the support behind the scenes is amazing. Our office team handles the scheduling, admin, follow-ups - everything. Our days are structured, efficient, and manageable. If anything changes, you’re backed all the way.

What surprised me most?

The work-life balance.

In London, I was working weekends constantly, trying to keep everything running. Now? I do the school run. I have weekends with my family. I finish my day knowing I’ve genuinely helped people. And travelling across North Wales, it doesn’t feel like work. Some days, it honestly feels like a holiday.

“What if I don’t fit in?”

Here’s the truth - there’s no such thing as “fitting in.” If you care about people, if you’re willing to learn, if you’ve got a strong work ethic, then you’ll thrive in Home Visits.

Everything else? You’ll be trained. And if it’s not for you, Specsavers always gives you options. There’s always a way back.

Why I’d do it all again

Domiciliary gave me more than just a job. It gave me more time with my family, a deeper connection to my work, and real purpose every single day.

I didn’t just change roles. I changed my life”.