EMPLOYEES at Specsavers took part in this year’s Swans Big Sleep Out, organised by homelessness charity Matthew’s House and the Swansea City AFC Foundation.
Taking place on Friday 14 November at Swansea.com Stadium, the annual event saw individuals spend a night sleeping outside to raise vital funds and awareness for those experiencing homelessness in the city.
According to Matthew’s House, more than 200 households in Swansea face homelessness every month.
Last year’s event raised £36,000, and this year organisers aimed to reach £40,000 to continue supporting people who are homeless or vulnerably housed across Swansea.
To help the organising charities reach its target, the Specsavers Swansea and Mumbles team fundraised at the stores in the run-up to the event, raising £350.
The store’s involvement follows Specsavers’ nationwide campaign for World Homeless Day (October 10), which saw more than 100 Specsavers stores and Home Visits teams hold out-of-hours and pop-up clinics providing free sight tests and glasses to people experiencing homelessness.
Specsavers’ ongoing homelessness programme aims to remove barriers to accessing essential eye and ear care – whether financial, residential or eligibility-related.
Chris Jones, retail director at Specsavers Swansea and Mumbles, said: ”Homelessness is an issue that affects people in every community.
”Taking part in the Swans Big Sleep Out was one small way for us to show our support and help raise both funds and awareness.
”As a locally owned and run business, we’re committed to making healthcare accessible to everyone, and this event was an important reminder of how vital community action can be.”
Specsavers works year-round with homelessness charities including Crisis, Vision Care and The Big Issue to improve access to healthcare and advocate for policy change – ensuring people experiencing homelessness can receive free eye tests, glasses and hearing checks.
For more information about the Swans Big Sleep Out or to donate, visit the Swans Big Sleepout 2025 JustGiving page.
Specsavers Swansea and Specsavers Mumbles is open seven days a week. To find out more information about Specsavers in Swansea or Mumbles, request an appointment or browse the online store, visit Specsavers’ Swansea page or Specsavers’ Mumbles page.
Additionally, to make eye health accessible to all, the store offers a Home Visits service for those unable to leave their homes unaccompanied due to disability or illness.
