As we approach the start of a new year, I have been doing a lot of reflecting on what it means to be an eye care professional in 2026.

For the past several years, The Eye Care Advocate has been a place for clinical resources and skill-sharing. But as I’ve navigated my own journey as a locum, a lecturer, and—more recently—a husband and father navigating a period of significant family loss, I’ve realised that clinical facts are only half the battle.

True professional success isn’t just about what you know; it’s about having the resilience, the ethical compass, and the community support to handle the pressure of the testing room.

What is Changing?

To make high-quality learning more accessible, I am making two major shifts:

1. The Skill Centre is now Open-Access:
   I have removed the login requirement for our core resources on this website. I want these tools to be there for you exactly when you need them, without the barrier of a password.
   
   
2. A New Digital Home:
   I have built a dedicated, interactive community space designed to support you through the “human” side of optometry—from your first year at university through to established practice.
   
   This website will still remain, but there will a much more active presence within the community.
   

More Than Just a Membership

This isn’t just another platform for downloading cribsheets. This is a space designed to turn “studying” into “leveling up.” We have gamified the learning process with digital badges and streaks to recognise your progress and allow you to celebrate the wins of your peers.

Inside the community, you’ll find:

• From ‘Ret Mess’ to ‘Ret Success’: My signature course for mastering retinoscopy.
  
• The Student Blueprint: A complete guide to maximising your university years and preparing for your CLiP placement.
  
• Digital Library: Exclusive access to my book, History and Symptoms, along with advanced clinical scripts.
  
• The Staff Room & Common Room: Dedicated discussion spaces for peer support, whether you are an undergraduate or a qualified professional.
  
• The Advocate’s Challenge: Tasks and scenarios designed to build your clinical confidence and professional autonomy (Professional Tier).

Choosing Your Path

We have created two tiers to ensure the support is relevant to where you are in your career. While our content is based on UK optometry guidelines and teachings, international colleagues are more than welcome to join us for the community and mindset training.

• The Student Advocate: Focused on the journey to practice (Undergraduates and CLiP placement students).
  
• The Practitioner Advocate: Focused on professional mastery and peer support for NQs and established optometrists.

Join Us for the Launch

We are officially opening the doors at 1:00 PM on January 1st, 2026.

I have chosen this afternoon launch time quite deliberately. I want to start my year present with my family before I step into my role as your host. In our community, we lead by example—and that starts with respecting our own boundaries and wellbeing.

Founder Member Rates (Available for the first month):

• Students (Years 1-3): £10/month (standard rate £15).
• Practitioners (CLiP/NQ/Qualified): £20/month (standard rate £30).

If you are ready to move beyond the shortcuts and build a career you can be proud of, I look forward to welcoming you inside. A big thank-you to the members that have been trialling it out and testing the platform, as well as the 10 members in the Waiting Room already!