Get involved
Orthoptists make a huge difference to the lives of their patients, providing cost-effective high high-quality eyecare. As the only professional body representing orthoptic professionals across the UK and Ireland, we do a huge amount of work ensuring that people know this, but we really need your help.
As an orthoptist, there is no better advocate for the profession than you. You may not see yourself as an influencer, but every member of BIOS can help support and promote the profession.
Read more about our current campaigns and influcencing work here
How can I get stand up for orthoptics?
1. Post on social media
Get the message out there by sharing information and resources via Instagram, X, Facebook or wherever else you post. On X or Instagram, remember to mention BIOS in your posts @BIOS_Orthoptics.
If you’re new to social media, take a look at our beginners’ guide.
2. Share resources with colleagues
We have produced a useful infographic demonstrating the value of the work that orthoptists do, along with a range of other promotional materials. Download them and share them with others to demonstrate your work. You could use these in conversations with commissioners and service managers, highlighting the vital role you play in delivering eye health.
3. Send us your case studies and testimonials
We are working to talk with policymakers, commissioners and healthcare professionals on your behalf. You can help by giving us the evidence to support our work: download our short case study template and forward it on to r.huzzey@orthoptics.org.uk.
4. Write to your elected representative
Write to your elected representative and let them know about the valuable work that you are doing. Look to set up a meeting or arrange a visit to your place of work so that they can see for themselves the valuable work being done in their constituency.
You might also want to encourage them to contact the Local Authority Director of Public Health or the Minister responsible – you could provide them with one of our templates, on the right.
5. Volunteer with BIOS
As a small organisation, we’re only able to provide representation to our members due to the hard work of our volunteers. Many of our Board and Council members will represent us with external organisations and stakeholders. You can find our current vacancies here.
Many members get involved for the first time via our Clinical Advisory Groups (CAGs). They provide representation on specialist issues, often leading on key issues and drafting formal consultation responses. Remember to join the member forums to hear the latest news.
Become a trade union rep with BOS TU. Our Union provides support to members with workplace and employment issues, but we also campaign on issues such as pay and working conditions, and we send Reps to the annual TUC Congress, of which we are an affiliate. Find out more here, or contact Sam Aitkenhead for more information TUSecretary@bios-orthoptics.org.uk
If you’re looking for advice or support in contacting, influencing or lobbying your local representatives, or have any questions about our campaigns, please contact Rich Huzzey, the BIOS Policy and Communications Officer at r.huzzey@orthoptics.org.uk.
We’d also be really grateful if you could copy any communication you have with your politicians or other stakeholders to us so we can keep a track of how and who we are influencing.
Explore other areas
Policy & campaigns
Find out about our work representing the orthoptic profession and campaigning on the issues that mean the most to our members.
Read more
Writing to your elected representatives
Writing to your elected representative can have a huge impact in promoting the orthoptic profession. We’ve put together a few tips to consider when writing:
Read more
BIOS vacancies
We’re dependent on the hard work of our volunteers to provide vital support and representation to our members.
Read more