The agency first got behind the initiative in August 2023 after consultant Trena Lewis read about the project in a local paper. "The whole team here wears glasses," Lewis told TTG. "One day, we were in the office chatting about how, when we updated our prescriptions, we didn't know what to do with our old glasses. It felt very wasteful [to just throw them away].
"Around the same time, I came across an article on the Lions Club of Jersey's recycling initiative. I reached out and they were incredibly supportive. We agreed our office in St Helier would make an ideal public collection point as it's so centrally located."
All donated spectacles are boxed and sent to Lions Headquarters in Birmingham for initial sorting before being forwarded to Medico France in Le Havre. There, specialist equipment is used to clean and grade them to make them ready for redistribution.
The project is a 'source of shared pride' for the team (Credit: Trena Lewis)
Lewis explained the recipient countries, which include India and destinations in Africa, struck a chord with the agency. "It felt natural to help people in the very destinations we know, love and promote," she said.
Many pairs are supplied to patients attending eye camps in Africa, India and Eastern Europe, often sponsored by Lions Clubs, which provide access to life-changing vision care.
The first year the team supported the cause, World Travel Jersey only collected 12 pairs of glasses. This year, the agency has 5,175 pairs and counting, with "no final target" in sight, according to Lewis. "We'll collect them for as long as people continue to donate them," she said.
The impressive numbers were driven by a bigger community push by the agency, as well as a healthy dose of media exposure. "We shared the initiative widely with friends, family and clients, as well as across social media," Lewis explained.
"I've also been fortunate enough to be invited onto BBC Radio Jersey on several occasions to talk about the project, which has helped significantly raise awareness."
The agency invites industry colleagues to bring along 'a pair of unwanted specs' the next time they visit (Credit: Trena Lewis)
The project has also brought the team at World Travel Jersey closer together, with Lewis describing the initiative as a "source of shared pride" where "everyone plays a part" through encouraging and accepting donations, and then sorting and boxing them.
Feedback from the community has also been "overwhelmingly positive" – the agency was even nominated in the "Community Champion of the Year" category at the 2025 Pride of Jersey Awards.
"Although we didn't win, simply being nominated was incredibly humbling," Lewis said. "To be recognised in this way, alongside so many inspiring individuals and organisations, reinforced just how meaningful this initiative has become to people across the island."
World Travel Jersey "absolutely intends" to continue supporting SpecTrek, and is inviting any industry colleagues – particular tour operator BDMs – to bring along any unwanted pairs of specs the next time they visit.
"In our own small way, we love being able to help people," Lewis said. "It's a great way for the wider industry to deliver real, tangible impact to the countries we love."
