A Year of Giving Back: Our Care & Community Fund in 2025

An independent opticians group has reflected on a year of giving back, having supported a wide range of local charities, clubs and community initiatives through its Care & Community Fund throughout 2025.

Urquhart Opticians first launched its Care & Community Fund in 2021, following the Covid-19 pandemic, as a way of finding meaningful ,long-term ways to support the communities it serves. The fund opens six times a year, with £1,000 available each time for local groups, charities or individuals who are making a difference in their area.

Applicants are invited to share details about the work they do, the people they support, and how the funding would be utilised. The Urquhart Opticians team then votes on where the funding should go, ensuring the support reflects causes that matter most to both the team and the wider community.

Managing Director, Peter Telfer, commented: “As an independent business, it’s so important to us that we’re able to give back to the communities that have supported us and given us their loyalty over the years.

“Our Care & Community Fund has provided a great opportunity to ensure that our care for the community goes beyond just eyecare. The whole team at Urquhart Opticians have been really passionate in getting behind this initiative, and we plan to continue to support like-minded charities and causes through 2026.”

For each donation, the team assigned a different category, allowing them to reach a broader range of causes and community groups. Categories included support for over-60s groups, grass roots sports teams, individuals fundraising for charity, under-16s clubs, food banks and a Christmas gifting campaign.

As a result, the fund supported a variety of local organisations and initiatives, including Dementia Befriending Ayrshire,Whiteleys Retreat, and three local food banks: Galston Food Larder, East Ayrshire Foodbank and Hurlford Helping Hands. The team also sponsored kits for Bonnyton Thistle 2016s, a local children’s football team.

Funding was also awarded to Dayn Montgomery, who was raising money for Crosshouse Children’s Fund and Whiteleys Retreat, recognising the efforts of individuals who go above and beyond to support important causes.

Bringing the year to an end, Urquhart Opticians took part in the Glasgow Spirit of Christmas initiative, donating gifts for children through North Ayrshire Food Bank, Women’s Aid East Ayrshire and Barnardo’s South Ayrshire, helping to provide some extra comfort and joy to families during a challenging time of year.

The Care & Community Fund remains a core part of Urquhart Opticians’ ethos in 2026, reflecting the team’s belief that local businesses have an important role to play in supporting the well-being of their communities.

Our Care & Community Fund will reopen on 1st February, with full application details available on our Care & Community Fund page.