With thousands of hair, beauty and barber salons closed and industry professionals unable to work for more than three months, the Hair & Beauty Charity, has seen a staggering 78% increase in requests for financial support during the COVID-19 crisis. The charity has been working tirelessly to help those who need it the most through unprecedented times.
In the first month of lockdown the charity saw its monthly expenditure rise by 105%. Even though they have experienced a major loss of income with several of its fundraising activities and events being cancelled, they have been able to support beneficiaries through setting up a Relief Fund that has currently raised £30,000 during the crisis. Financially, the charity has distributed over £60,000 to beneficiaries during the crisis; an increase of 75% year on year. This is amazing work and it also shows that times are harder than ever; it’s important to help each other and support, if and when we can.
The Hair & Beauty Charity was first established in 1853 as the Hairdresser’s Orphan Fund and has continued to help hair and beauty professionals who have been affected by illness, disability, bereavement, or financial hardship. With over 300 applicants requesting help each year and an increase in requests during the current crisis, the charity depends on support of the industry to enable help for those who need it most.
”The stats speak for themselves; this time last year we were helping 94 beneficiaries but we’re now helping 167 beneficiaries, which is a huge increase for a small charity, especially as fundraising is very hard to do during the crisis. Although we expected some of the new beneficiaries to be short term, we are already seeing the need to extend the support, especially to those working in the beauty industry as they can’t return to work yet. It’s a very worrying time. It’s been wonderful to see the support the charity is getting from the industry and we’ve been grateful to companies and people who have donated to our Relief Fund so far, but the crisis is still happening and we will continue to help our industry as we have for over 150 years,” explains Hair & Beauty Charity President, Samantha Grocutt.
Let’s help; even the smallest donation can make a big difference. To donate visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/relieffund
For more of the latest hairdressing news, click HERE.
_______________________________
Respect is a hub for UK hairdressers of all ages and stages to find out what We Love, We Hear and We See as the best product launches, styling advice, hairtools, education training and seminars and hairshows! Sign up to our newsletter which is sent fortnightly direct to your email, so you stay up-to-date with salon styling information, trends in session work, advice on presenting on stage or progress in educating – whatever your interest, whether you’re a trainee or creative director, an educator or team leader, you’ll find all the opportunities and ideas on www.respectyou.me
We love hairdressing; we see and we hear how you can become the best hairdresser, colourist and salon owner possible. Contact us if you’d like to know more about us. If it’s worth talking about, you’ll read it here.
