Make it a resolution to help the homeless both for Christmas and the coming year. Hairdressing is about people helping people to look good and feel better, and is one of the most rewarding careers possible. So put your skills to even better use by helping the really vulnerable in our society – start seeing the homeless and lending a hand to get them back on their feet for 2020. Rough sleepers, families in B&Bs, sofa surfers, people in tents… there are too many people struggling with homelessness.
Take a moment to read about and admire the work of volunteer hairdressers who support the shelters established around the UK in the Crisis at Christmas campaign. Offering a safe place to sleep for the Christmas week is amazing, but just as importantly, Crisis offers support and advice on how to get back into their own home, to work and to regain a sense of self-worth. At the shelters nationally, Crisis gives guests access to healthcare such as doctors, dentists, and podiatrists, as well as information on accessing support networks for finance and job-seekers. Plus hairdressing. Yep! It’s a valuable service to provide hairdressing salons that give an instant boost to self-esteem. This year more than ever, hairdressers are giving up time over the holidays to work a shift in a pop-up salon. AND the brands are helping, too. Following a shout out for help from a project coordinator for London, three amazing brands have delivered equipment to enable salons at each of the capitals shelters. Bravo to ghd Professional for their hair tools, CND nails for nail care equipment, and Kent Brushes for a haul of brushes and combs. You all rock!
To donate to support Crisis, click HERE
And what about Haircuts4Homeless! We were thrilled this year to meet Stewart Roberts who established Haircuts4Homeless a couple of years ago, and now runs 65 pop-up salons across Great Britain. He coordinates a group of volunteers for each location, so they can give a few hours a month to work safely and in a group supporting the homeless. What a guy!
You can listen to a podcast recorded earlier this year with Stewart. It’s absolutely fascinating! Click HERE
Stewart explains how he became interested in working with the homeless agencies to create a co-ordinated service. It’s a great way to use your skills in the knowledge that you’re part of a community of other hairdressers watching out for each other as well as caring for those less fortunate. There are nearly 5,000 people sleeping rough around the UK each night. Feeling noticed, cared for and regaining self-regard is the best way to get them back into work and a home they deserve.
If you’d like to volunteer, then check out these links below.
Donate link: bit.ly/H4HDonations Or to volunteer in your area, the website https://www.haircuts4homeless.com/
