Are you tired of the daily grind and feeling like you're stuck in a rut? Do you long for a change of pace and a new adventure? If so, the story of Sam Westoby's journey with OutsideClinic might just be the inspiration you need to take the leap and try something new. 

Sam had been working at an independent opticians in Edinburgh, Scotland, for several years, and while he loved the work, he was feeling a bit stagnant in his career. He longed for something more challenging and fulfilling - something that would give him a sense of purpose and make a difference in people's lives. 

That's when he discovered OutsideClinic. Sam was intrigued by the prospect of working in a more flexible and rewarding way and was thrilled by the idea of helping patients who might not otherwise be able to access eye care services. 

After joining in 2021, Sam has never looked back - and has since taken hold of a a relocation package, which has seen Sam move from Scotland. A massive change, but three months into his new home in the countryside, Sam and his partner, Hannah, love their new lives.

Let's hear from Sam himself about his experience: 

OC: Hi Sam! Congratulations on the move! How are you finding your new home? 

SW: We've been here for three months now and have absolutely loved our time in Cornwall so far. The pace of life down here is entirely different to that of Edinburgh. Everyone is very much laid back and relaxed. We found a lovely house in a quiet neck of the woods but still in an excellent location for getting around Cornwall. It's also nice to have a garden for the first time, as we lived in a flat previously, so we have been experimenting with new plants and looking forward to sitting out in it in the summer. 

OC: That's lovely! Glad that you have settled in well! Have you had the opportunity to explore the area? 

SW: Yes, very much so! Everywhere we go is somewhere new to explore, and everyone is very welcoming! I've been getting lots of tips from patients on places to add to our ever-growing list of places to visit. We feel spoilt by the number of beaches that are so close; we love heading for a walk on the sand after work whenever we get the chance. As we both have weekends off, we typically do a long coastal walk or a trip to somewhere on the list. My favourite beach so far has been Gwithian which is only ten miles from our house, and a great visit to see the sunset after work. 

OC: It is a beautiful part of the country! Great relocation choice – can you tell us a little bit about how the move came about? 

SW: Well, the idea began when I came across an email from head office advertising the relocation opportunities, and I joked around the thought with my close friends, family and partner. I got chatting with my partner's grandmother about Cornwall – she has first-hand experience with relocation, as she lived in Tunisia and Abu Dhabi alongside her late husband. We concluded that the opportunity was too good to pass by and felt it was an excellent time to make the move. It's fantastic that this opportunity is available with OutsideClinic. 

OC: Well, we are glad you did, as you seem to love it in Cornwall! Can you tell us how you found OutsideClinic? 

SW: Well, I graduated in 2018 and went straight into an independent on the high street. I worked for several branches before taking up a resident position in one of the stores. A year later, I was approached about a domiciliary role which caught my interest. I felt claustrophobic and trapped in my practice test room and just felt I needed a change from the same old monotonous shift in a high street practice. So, I took the leap and started for OutsideClinic- I haven't looked back since. 

OC: How does domiciliary differ from your work in the high street practices? 

SW: Firstly, it is so much more rewarding. I genuinely feel I'm improving my patient's quality of life. I love the change in scenery too. Being out and about driving between patients is so refreshing; it gives me time to unwind and relax, listening to music which I wouldn't usually get the chance to do in practice. Getting weekends off – well, that makes sense. I can make plans knowing when I am off. Having just moved to Cornwall and the area being brand new to us, those weekends are used to discover our new home. We also have several surf lessons booked and have recently discovered the app 'borrow my doggy', where we hope to eventually meet a few dogs to take on our weekend walks!

OC: Apart from getting your weekends off, what do you love about working for OutsideClinic? 

SW: The quality of all the equipment is second to none; I'm working on the leading edge of domiciliary eye care. The company have clearly taken the time to think everything through, making sure all the equipment and technology we use is up to date and efficient in how we use it. The people at the company are great, it can be easy to feel lonely in domiciliary, but at OutsideClinic, we're always in constant communication with each other. I keep in close contact with the Scheduling team as my day progresses, use WhatsApp to connect to fellow optometrists and have regular catch-up calls with the regional manager (whose support I have found outstanding!) Everyone at head office is lovely and feeling part of a team is excellent. 

OC: One difference between high street and domiciliary is that the appointments are longer – Do you enjoy having more time with your patients?  

SW: I love that I'm with the patient throughout the whole journey during the visit, where we can build rapport. It ensures the patient gets exactly what they need, and I can give them a tailor-made experience. Being in the patient's home, I can see exactly what they do during the day and make better recommendations on glasses/products that will directly improve their quality of life. I've met so many lovely patients, one of whom even had a pet sheep they had to keep out of the garden, so it didn't eat any of the plants! 

OC: The patients really do make the job worth it! Are you happy that you switched from high street optometry to domiciliary? 

SW: Moving to domiciliary has been the best career decision I've ever made. I feel domiciliary eye care has negative connotations, which I quickly discovered were untrue. I've never enjoyed working as much as I do now. 

OC: Thanks Sam! So glad to hear you are loving your work and new location. 

Sam Westoby's journey with OutsideClinic showcases the rewards of domiciliary optometry, including a more flexible and fulfilling career, the ability to make a positive impact on patients' lives, and the opportunity to work in great places like Cornwall. By taking the leap and trying something new, Sam found a sense of purpose and fulfillment that he had been searching for in his optometry career. If you're an optometrist looking for a change of pace and a more rewarding way to practice optometry, consider joining OutsideClinic's team of dedicated optometrists and experience the satisfaction of bringing eye care services to patients in their homes.