Whilst this year marks a significant milestone for Haircuts 4 Homeless, it is bittersweet that this charity still needs to exist. What’s especially sad is that it is needed now more than ever.
Haircuts 4 Homeless is a charity founded by professional hairdresser Stewart Roberts. It has grown from a small initiative to a nationwide campaign. Set up in 2014, Stewart realised that his skills could offer more than just a fresh look—they could restore dignity and self-respect to people who had lost so much. He began by offering free haircuts to the homeless in his local area, and the impact was immediate.
A haircut might seem like a small thing, but for someone living on the streets, it can make a huge difference. It offers a rare moment of normalcy, a chance to feel cared for, and the opportunity to see oneself in a new light.
Stewart said, “I thank each and everyone of the volunteers who have given so much support over the last 10 years, however we would all prefer that homelessness be eradicated. But today with numbers on the streets rising daily we are needed more than ever. Given the ever growing demand, Haircuts 4 Homeless not only needs to survive but also needs to expand even further. For that it is crucial they have the support of sponsors existing and new.”
The impact of these haircuts goes far beyond aesthetics. Many participants have shared how a haircut has boosted their confidence, helped them in job interviews, and even reconnected them with family members. These transformations are not just physical; they are psychological and important. The UK is one of the biggest economies in the world, yet the rate of homelessness is growing rapidly.
St Mungo’s and the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) reported that between January and March 2024, 4,118 people were recorded as rough sleeping in London, an increase of 33% from last year. In the same period, with a 37% increase from last year, 2,038 people slept rough for the first time¹. That being said, according to The Big Issue, 112,660 households in England live in temporary accommodation, including 146,800 children².
Haircuts 4 Homeless continues to fight to reduce these statistics with over 600 volunteers recruited, over 90 projects set up across the UK and over 60,000 free haircuts given to date.
These volunteers, often hairdressers, set up regular pop-up events in shelters, soup kitchens, women’s refuges, ex-services, ex-offenders, addiction centres and places catering for people struggling with mental health issues, where they provide free haircuts to anyone who needs one.
The charity has become a beacon of hope for many, demonstrating that small acts of kindness can lead to profound change —one haircut at a time.
References: St Mungo’s¹ / Big issue².
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