OBE for Prison Optician Trust founder

Skills and rehabilitation for prisoners

Optometrist Tanjit Dosanjh, the founder of the Prison Optician Trust (POT) who featured in the December 2020 issue of Dispensing Optics, has been awarded an OBE for services to prison optometry and reducing reoffending.

The Prison Optician Trust offers eyecare and training in optical skills for prisoners, and supports former prisoners into work. During lockdown last year, Tanjit set up Liberty Glasses to sell the Trust’s own acetate spectacles to independent optical practices.

On receiving news of the honour, Tanjit said: “The last time my family name was in the papers it was when my Dad tried to kill my sister and got handed 14 years in prison. Today, I’ve been awarded an OBE for my work with prisoners. The past doesn’t equal the future.

“I hope this OBE helps me to establish optical training for prisoners on a much larger scale and encourages others to get involved with working with prisons. I owe a great deal to the people who have helped me along the way: Chris Goodchild, Sarah Coccia, Mark Woodruff, Gerard Lemos, Susie D, Eve Dallas, Edwina Grosvenor, Diana Jones, Ross Dowsett, Sanjay Patel, Gareth Hadley, Mary Perkins, Michael McGonnell and Taps Mutakati.”

Read more about Tanjit’s story here.

* Sarah Joyce from York was awarded a BEM for her services to optical care during the coronavirus response. A superintendent optometrist at Asda Supermarkets, Sarah was key in Asda being able to keep the optical departments open during the coronavirus pandemic.