Eastbourne opticians gives away 500 pairs of glasses to NHS workers as a special thank you for their hard work

An Eastbourne opticians is giving away 500 pairs of glasses to NHS staff as a special thankyou for their hard work throughout the pandemic.
Bott's Opticians manager Adam BlackburnBott's Opticians manager Adam Blackburn
Bott's Opticians manager Adam Blackburn

Bott’s Opticians, which is the longest-standing independent opticians in Eastbourne, is offering to give away glasses throughout December.

Manager Adam Blackburn said: ‘During December, anybody can bring their prescription into the opticians and we will give them a free pair of single vision glasses if they can present their NHS badge.

‘It’s a little Christmas present to say thank you to NHS staff for all their hard work. My wife works for the NHS so I understand and I thought this would be a nice thing to do.

Bott's Opticians in EastbourneBott's Opticians in Eastbourne
Bott's Opticians in Eastbourne

‘It’s down to all the hard work that they do. Even if it’s a second pair it’s helpful - the last thing that they need to worry about is having a spare set of glasses.

‘If I can help out in some sort of way to make their lives a bit easier in these hard times then that’s great.’

Anyone wanting to purchase any extras such as non-reflective tinting or varifocal lenses will need to pay an additional charge.

If you’re interested in taking up the offer, you need to contact the opticians in advance to arrange an appointment, as staff are limiting the number of patients coming in due to the impact of the pandemic.

Some of the frames on display at Bott's OpticiansSome of the frames on display at Bott's Opticians
Some of the frames on display at Bott's Opticians

During the first lockdown in the spring, staff were helping patients by delivering services where they were most needed. They took over some medical work which is normally carried out in hospital, such as follow-up eye care for people who had damaged their eyes.

The team offered an emergency replacement or repair service to all NHS and key workers in the area. It meant that they could keep working if they broke their glasses.

This meant that the numbers of people attending hospital for eye appointments was kept to a minimum and it also meant patients who were worried about coronavirus didn’t have to visit a busy outpatients department.

Staff also checked in with the elderly and the vulnerable, not just to check on the health of their eyes but to see if they were okay and even to have a chat to prevent loneliness and isolation.

Now Adam has said he hopes this scheme will give our NHS workers a boost during a difficult winter.

He said: ‘It’s something that is very dear to my heart. In the past the NHS has had a rough deal and suddenly something like this comes along and people say “thank God for the NHS”.

‘It’s something that’s taken for granted until we need it and then people say that we haven’t got enough nurses. This is something really important to me and I want to do my bit to be able to help.’

The offer will work on a first come, first served basis. Call 01323 727782 or email [email protected]. The branch is located in Grove Road.

A further 500 pairs of glasses are also being given away at Armstrongs Opticians in Haywards Heath.

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