About us

Purpose

Goal

  • To provide guidance, education and support for Somerset eyecare providers.

  • To liaise with NHS England to influence local commissioning and policy.

Accredited and knowledgeable eye care professionals providing local, quality and appropriately funded services to improve eye health outcomes across Somerset.

A person writing notes on a spiral notebook with a black marker, next to a laptop and some colored pens on a wooden table.

Member Benefits

  • Local, accessible CPD

  • Networking opportunities

  • NHS contract support

  • Enhanced services commissioning, information and provision support.

  • Additional learning support grants.

The Committee

A woman with short blonde hair wearing a beige blazer and matching pants, and a white button-up shirt, standing against a plain white background.

Sarah Farrant

Chair

Year Qualified: 2003

Role: Practice director, IP Optometrist, dry eye specialist, consultant, lecturer, UK ambassador for TFOS

Why did you join the LOC?

To improve access to education amongst the profession and access to eye care for patients.

A man with dark hair and glasses smiling, wearing a pink checkered shirt and a blue tie, standing in front of a display of eyeglasses in an optical store.

Simon Frackiewicz

Vice Chair

Year Qualified: 2003

Role: Community IP optometrist, paediatric optometry clinic at Yeovil Hospital.

Why did you join the LOC? Developing enhanced services for the benefit of our local community and optometrists alike

Interests: Music - playing bass guitar in a local rock band, cycling, spending time with my family

Bucket list: Learn to fly

Ben Williams photo

Ben Williams

Treasurer

Year Qualified: 2001

Role: IP Optometrist Community and Hospital


Interests: House renovation, Cycling, Football, Guitar, Piano

Bucket list: Get a dog when I retire

A woman with short reddish-brown hair, glasses, and a black top smiling in front of a plain background.

Rebecca Donnelly

Committee Member

Year Qualified: 2013

Role: Practice Director. AOP Councillor.

Interests: Travel, hiking, wine, good food.

Bucket list: A long and slow train journey around Europe.

A woman with long brown hair, glasses, and a light purple sweater smiling at the camera against a gray wall.

Alison Davis

Committee Member

Year Qualified: 2014

Role: Community IP Optometrist

Why did you join the LOC?

Enjoy supporting the Optometry profession by helping Optometrists and the public get the best service locally.

Bucket list: Learning to knit

A woman with long, dark, wavy hair and a black turtleneck sweater sitting inside an optical store, with glasses displayed on wall racks in the background.

Rachana Jani

Committee Member

Year Qualified: 2016

Role: Optometrist

Why did you join the LOC?

I want to stay connected with local colleagues and play an active role in supporting our community to access high quality eye care.

Interests: Travelling, reading and finding new food spots

Bucket list: Visit New Zealand

Smiling man with dark hair and a beard in a dimly lit restaurant with yellow walls, white tablecloths, and elegant table settings.

Daniel Hill

Committee Member

Year Qualified: 2017

Role: Community Optometrist

Interests: Dog walking, video games, reading, tennis, cooking

Why did you join the LOC?

I think it’s important to be involved in the progression and development of the profession.

Bucket list: See the Northern lights

Nigel Burgess - Committee Member

Ed Farrant - Committee Member

Lewes Hambrey - Committee Member

Suren Kumar - Committee Member

Damien Reavey - Committee Member

A young woman with shoulder-length wavy dark hair, wearing a pink scarf and a dark gray sweater, looking directly at the camera against a plain beige wall.

Coraley Dunn

Committee Member

Year Qualified: 2008

Role: Community Optometrist

Interests: Walking, cycling, skiing and playing the flute (not all at the same time!)

Why did you join the LOC?

I want to help shape the policies linking community optometry with NHS services so that everyone gets the best possible eye care.

Bucket list: Visit Japan.