ACORN EYECARE
Acorn Eyecare is part of the NHS England Special Schools Eyecare service. The service is designed for children and young people who attend special schools; Acorn Eyecare provides them with the most accessible and individual eyecare provision.
The service is completely child-led and designed so that children feel relaxed and comfortable with what’s happening. At Acorn Eyecare our staff utilise specialist training and have the ability to test children’s eyes in their own familiar environment.
Even when a child finds communication difficult or is distressed by a medical environment we hope we’ll be able to put them at ease as the service takes place entirely in the school setting.
If your child needs glasses they will be supplied by us, and they will also get a spare pair. The service is completely funded by NHS England so you don’t need to pay anything, even for very robust glasses, which would normally be expensive in an opticians.
This service is such a fantastic provision for children who already have more than enough challenges in life. We hope you’ll decide to let them take part in it.
ABOUT US
Melanie Linegar BSc MCOptom Prof Cert Glaucoma
Hi, I’m Melanie. I have been a qualified Optometrist since 2000 , which means that I’m the one who conducts the eye checks. I am a Specialist Optometrist at York Hospital. I have lots of experience with children’s eyecare and was a Senior Optometrist in Darlington’s paediatric eyecare clinic until 2021. I also currently work in a varied range of high street independent opticians in North Yorkshire.
I’m really excited to be part of the new Special Schools Eyecare team as I’ll be able to utilise my years of previous experience and bring the highest standard of eyecare to children in and environment where they feel comfortable, hopefully making the experience a positive one for the child or young person.
I am undertaking further study at the moment, in addition to the Professional certificate in glaucoma that I already hold, I am working towards becoming an Independent Prescriber.
When I’m not working I enjoy being with my three children, in aged between 9 and 18. We love to be out in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside together and I enjoy swimming and paddle boarding whenever I can.
Nicola Clements FBDO
Hi, I’m Nikki. I qualified as a Dispensing Optician in 2005. A Dispensing Optician is the one who will help you choose your glasses and make them fit you so they’re comfortable. In addition to my work in special schools I work in an independent opticians in East Yorkshire.
I am really happy that this special schools eyecare service has been established as it is a very positive thing for children who have additional needs. I can’t wait to be able to do my job in a place where the children feel happy and relaxed without the stress of being in an unfamiliar environment.
I have two sons aged 11 and 14 and my eldest has ADHD and autism, so I have some experience of living in a household with additional needs, it has given me a much greater understanding of the challenges children may face. He loves Lego so I have learnt a lot about that and my youngest son has a pet snake called Nagini.
When I’m not watching Marvel Movies with my children you can usually find me at the gym or out running, I like to run marathons and I love wild swimming and Harry Potter.
