Charity on the hunt for volunteers to help bring fresh cuts to the homeless

A charity providing haircuts for the homeless is looking to expand its service to Bunbury and is on the hunt for volunteers to help. Short Back and Sidewalks began in 2015 by 2022 WA Local Hero Award winner Craig Hollywood in Northbridge by giving haircuts in carparks and on sidewalks. The service is now offered across the country’s metropolitan centres with more than 250 volunteers — and is looking to expand to regional WA. Charity chief executive officer Natalie Jenkins said the expansion was exciting for the organisation and much needed for the area. “We know that there’s a lot of need and a growing need, and every time we talk to service providers, no matter where they are, they talk about the need and how good this would be for their client base,” she said. “There’s a lot of demand. We know that homelessness is increasing across the country, we know that cost of living is creating a lot of pressure for people, we know that that’s impacting into regional areas across the country. “In some areas, such as Bunbury and in other regional areas, it’s becoming a lot higher than the community would like to see and anyone would like to see.” Once a month haircuts will be on offer for about two hours in areas where people go to get essential goods and services such as food, showers and support services. Ms Jenkins said the service was about more than a simple haircut. “It’s a massive improvement for people from a self esteem perspective. One of the things that a lot of us take for granted is that we are able to get a haircut when we need,” she said. “On another level, much bigger level, it’s actually about the positive human connection that happens between the hairdresser or the barber and the person having their hair cut.” An information session will be held on Friday, March 1 at Funkee Monkee Eatery and Bar for those keen to help out as a hairdresser, barber or even as a greeter and record keeper.