The oldest optical organisation in the world has launched a new scheme this week for early career eye health and sight loss professionals.
The Journeyman scheme is new for 2021 and is aimed at people of any age who are within their first few years of working in any optical profession or in the sight loss sector. It gives more people the chance to get to know the organisation at an earlier stage, get involved and eventually move up to full membership of the Spectacle Makers’ Company. The cost is a one-off £30, valid for up to five years and people can join the scheme online via the Company’s website.
Learn more about the history of Journeymen and their role here.
An online launch event on Tuesday 21st September 2021 at 6.30pm will showcase the best in the future of eye health including Tom Broughton, entrepreneur and founder of Cubitts and Reena Chopra, optometrist and medal-winning AI researcher. The event is open to all those interested in joining, bursary award winners and recent Freemen of the Company. It is free to attend. You can register for tickets via Billetto: (https://billetto.co.uk/e/your-future-in-eye-health-tickets)
The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers is the oldest and best-connected optical organisation in the world with over 900 members, spanning 35 different professions and 12 countries. Its purpose, which has stayed the same for almost 400 years, is to support better vision for all.
The Spectacle Makers’ Charity gives over £70,000 each year in grants to organisations helping people with vision problems here and abroad and special bursary and ophthalmology awards to support young professionals across the UK starting their careers in eye health.
The Company’s Master, Huntly Taylor FBDO, said he would encourage early years professionals in any optical discipline to give the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers a try:
“This scheme makes it easier for people in the first few years of their career to get involved and explore their part in supporting better vision for all. In the last 2 years half of our new members have been under 40 and our online events have attracted people living and working far away from our home base in London. We are looking forward to expanding our reach and welcoming an even more diverse group of people into the Spectacle Makers’ family.”
Further Details / Contact: Helen Perkins, The Clerk, 020 7236 2932/07802 177685
Website: www.spectaclemakers.com/Membership Email: [email protected]
Further information:
Worshipful Company of Spectacles website
Journeyman Matthew Spiers with the Master, Huntly Taylor.