Redruth’s Hayden Trerise-Smith has set his sights on a bright future after qualifying as a dispensing optician. 

The 22-year-old has been a popular figure in the town’s Specsavers store for seven years, having started there as a teenager. 

He worked his way up from a part-time job at the store to now being qualified to give advice to customers on vision care, as well as supply glasses and contact lenses.

 To mark his achievement, Hayden celebrated with colleagues and the store’s directors, Jonathan and Lucy Eva. 

Hayden said: “From a young age I was a patient at Specsavers in Redruth, wearing glasses and contact lenses for my poor vision. I always enjoyed visiting because the staff were always so friendly and kind to me and treated me as an individual rather than a child. 

“During my Easter holidays, when I was 15, I applied for a job within every shop in Redruth and, to my surprise, Specsavers phoned back and offered me an interview.

“I worked every Saturday and soon realised how much I enjoyed helping the customers throughout their journey in Specsavers. 

“Seven years later I am still here and really enjoying my role within the store. Who knew a part-time job would turn into an entire career. 

“Jonathan and Lucy recognised my passion for the industry and recommended that I became a dispensing optician. After my GCSEs, I worked hard through the Specsavers clinical development programme and am now a fully qualified dispensing optician.” 

To study full-time for a dispensing optician diploma takes three years, followed by working under supervision for a year.

Store director Lucy said:  “It’s a joy to have Hayden here. He’s so good at his job and he’s really popular with the customers. They love his enthusiasm. 

“Many of them have seen him develop and grow into the true professional he is now. We’re all really proud of him and know he has a bright future in this industry.”