A HAIRCUT. Something so many of us take for granted, but something which we all know can make such a big difference – a good or bad hair day can affect how any of us feel. For homeless people, a haircut is a privilege, sometimes an unattainable one. Stewart Roberts believes that one of people’s basic human rights is for them to feel good about themselves – being homeless “knocks resilience, self-esteem and self-confidence”. This is why he founded Haircuts4Homeless in 2014, a community of skilled hairdressers who commit a few hours each month to give haircuts for homeless people, boosting their confidence.
Before and after Haircuts4Homeless worked their magic
Following the popularity of the service, the H4H team collected data from their projects across Romford, Ilford, Chelmsford, Southend and Ipswich, and found that “many homeless people had some previous experience in hairdressing, from cutting hair in prison to formal training. The opportunity to undertake a proper course or complete unfinished training was greeted with massive enthusiasm.” This led to the next step for H4H – the formation of an academy to “build people’s skills, confidence and capability to empower them to feel in control of their lives again, so they are able to move on from homelessness for good.”
Founder Stewart Roberts at work
H4H Academy courses have been supported by The Jet Training Academy, Akito Scissors and Evo Hair Products. City & Guilds will be collaborating on a bespoke qualification for the students while Akito Scissors will be presenting them with a pair of professional scissors upon graduation.
The Academy helps the homeless to learn hairdressing skills, gives them a workplace and most importantly, gives them a place that feels like home.
by Alicia Pountney
For more information on how you can get involved, visit Haircuts4Homeless