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Can FREE Haircuts 4 Homeless be expanded nationally and internationally?

by Mark E Crossley
12/27/18
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There is a new website in the United Kingdom called https://www.haircuts4homeless.com, the purpose behind this is “a community of hairdressers who just give a few hours each month to give haircuts for homeless people”. 

How can churches partner with this initiative?

It says in Matthew 10 v 30 “ And even the very hairs on your head are all numbered”  

There are certain practical things on a natural level we all need, one of which is a haircut. 

God knows each person inside out and even knows how many hairs on our head, he knows us that well. 

God calls some to be professional hairdressers, He has a heart and compassion for the poor so perhaps we could be combining these skills to help the most destitute in our society so here are a couple of ways in which the church and society could be helping in this matter more.  

FREE haircuts once a month

I would like to see city and town centre churches in England and Wales offering a free haircut once a month to local homeless people so if there are any hairdressers that attend city centre churches could offer this service, this could be offered as part of a churches together scheme hosted by a particular church each month on a rotational basis for a set amount of hours but to advertise this on the above website so this adds to the amount of towns and cities this service is available. 

Internship and discipleship years

It would be great to see the church partnership with local hairdressing academies so if any congregational members in the week are training to be hairdressers but have a faith then an integrated program could be offered so a person spends a couple of days training to be a hairdresser then once they are at a certain standard as part of their training they could evangelise cutting hair gaining experience for local homeless people. 

Clergy with hairdressing experience 

It would be interesting to know if any hairdressers have actually transferred to become a vicar, minister or a pastor could use their industry knowledge with their training they have a dual use of duties that can be of benefit to the church and to their local community. 

Acts of kindness days 

Many churches on random days annually will offer acts of kindness so instead of giving out chocolates for example may consider this as a service even if this is only annually. 

How can the rest of society help?

Hairdressing training colleges 

It would be great for every hairdressing training college in England and Wales but also internationally as part of a persons training to give a certain amount of hours once suitably qualified to helping homeless people by offering a free haircut to gain clients and then carry this on into their professional career so the more hairdressers involved can ensure that no person is left out for the duration to which they are homeless. 

It would be great to have more initiatives to sponsor a certain amount of homeless people to become hairdressers each year to have some success stories. 

Armed Forces

It is widely known that once a person is released from the armed forces they can become homeless so it would be good if we could make the website known to all charities that work with the Armed Forces once they are released from their service so should this become a necessary requirement although one hopes that they can be reintegrated back into society they are aware of the website. 

Job Centre Plus 

Job Centre Plus should be made aware of this service, many people who are on benefits can become homeless if they cannot pay their rent so it would be really good to see posters on this service in local Job Centres so in the unlikely event they are homeless they are at least aware they can tap into this if required.

Bailiffs  

It is now so common with series on TV such as “Can’t pay, we will take it away?” we see all too often enforcement officers from the High Court in affect making people homeless then perhaps we should make these companies aware that if even for a short period of time they are homeless if they need a haircut then this is where you can actually go and receive one, this is going above the call of duty, regardless of why they are homeless they are and we should still do what we can to help them learn lessons and get back on their feet again. 

Food banks  

It would be great to see a partnership with services that offer a food bank so if at the times these services operate hairdressers could link into this would in affect give people two services for the price of one so to speak but this is free of charge. 

Christmas Day Meals  

Premier Radio facilitates the Christmas Alone campaign https://www.premier.org.uk/Projects/Christmas-Aloneso maybe it would be good if hairdressers on Christmas Day would be able to offer a couple of hours of their time on this special day to help the most vulnerable and marginalised in our society. 

Homeless Shelters

It would be great to see a partnership with all local homeless shelters to offer anyone in accommodation at set times so hairdressers meet them where they are at. 

Government tax relief 

If hairdressers offer this kind of service for a number of clients the government may consider offering some kind of tax relief for businesses or self-employed people.

Volunteer Coordinators

Could we have regional volunteer coordinators to help get projects more off the ground to increase the amount of services offered regionally, nationally & internationally?  

A few quotes to reflect upon 

Unknown “Life isn’t perfect but your hair can be”. 

Unknown “A hairstylist, a wonderful person who touches more than their hair” 

Unknown Hairsytlists prayer “Angel of beauty, my guardian dear, banish bad hair days from the bueaty shop here, guide my hands as I cut, cur, and style, help me work miracles with skill and a smile !!!” 

Unknown Hairstylist Blessing “May your scissors always be sharp, your fingers stay nimble, your hairbrush at hand, your feet without bunions and may you always have a smile on your face as you help keep everyone’s hair in the style of the day:. 

Lord, we thank you for all those to whom you have given the gift to cut other peoples hair but we realise that some people may struggle financially so if you are able to bless people financially you may raise up a generation that would reach out to the lost by blessing them with free haircuts for the duration they are homeless that in tern when they back on their feet again offer something back to the communities to which we live. We pray your holy spirit will stir up a passion in others hearts to be receivers and givers of such services. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen. 

27^thDecember 2018