Mobile eye clinic brings hope

Kirketon Road Centre (KRC) is proud to be partnering with not-for-profit organisation, Eyes of Hope to provide free eye checks and glasses to KRC clients.

Through their pioneering new mobile eye clinic, Eyes of Hope is bringing the gift of sight to the homeless and vulnerable population of NSW. 

Poor eye health among people experiencing homelessness increases their vulnerability, making it harder to perform everyday tasks, access services and secure employment. 

Wendy Machin, Clinical Services Manager for KRC, said the new partnership with Eyes of Hope is an incredibly valuable addition to KRC and will improve access to eye care for vulnerable people. 

Wendy, who has worked at KRC for 27 years, explained that people come to KRC because they experience stigma, discrimination and other barriers to accessing healthcare. 

“Working at KRC is incredibly rewarding as we can provide a welcoming and holistic service to people who experience such stigma and disadvantage,” said Wendy. 

“People who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness face many challenges and poor eyesight really adds to this. By coming to a place people already know and trust, Eyes of Hope is reducing the barrier to accessing eye care.” 

“Owning free glasses can make a massive difference to people’s lives, especially given the many systems and forms they must negotiate to get housing and other services.” 

Eyes of Hope was founded by three friends working in the optometric, medical and ophthalmology fields, who had encountered people who needed eye care but could not access it. 

“Eyes of Hope bridges the gap to accessible eye care and glasses,” said Co-Founder Shenouda Girgis. 

“Our no-turn-away policy is core to our value system and, combined with our selfless volunteers, makes for an organisation that passionately provides eye care to the most vulnerable members in our community,” said Shenouda.