Optical retail chain Specsavers is paying tribute to the nation’s invisible unpaid carers with a touching new campaign centred around a giant artwork installation.

Devised in partnership with PR agency Golin, ‘The Most Valuable Portrait’, painted by Colin Davidson, is intended to act as a powerful tribute to the vital contributions of carers who so often remain hidden.

The work depicts Jaycee La Bouche, who cares for her mother, with the portrait being assigned the symbolic value of £184 billion by auction house Roseberys, illustrating the immense estimated economic value of unpaid carers every year.

“Our Home Visits colleagues see first-hand the incredible support carers give to their loved ones every day. Yet so many feel invisible and undervalued, despite providing support equivalent of the cost of a second NHS,” said Kim Bull, PR and social lead at Specsavers.

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“Through our partnership with Carers UK and our dedicated Carers Hub, we want to recognise the amazing contribution carers make to society and give them the practical and emotional support they deserve.”

The campaign activation has also been designed to spotlight the high street chain’s home visit offering run in partnership with Carers UK, illustrating the vast importance of carers to British society. Social was handled by Tangerine.

Elliot Riordan, creative director at Golin added: “The Most Valuable Portrait isn’t just an artwork, it’s a powerful statement of a community we’re all connected to in some way.

“It’s designed to make £184 billion worth of invisible care impossible to ignore, right where it matters most. And it speaks to everyone, not just carers. When people do essential work. yet feel unseen and undervalued, giving them recognition and support can make all the difference.”