Hairdresser to offer free haircuts for homeless in Sudbury

Kirsty Swain, 44 of Great Waldingfield, said she plans to offer the free treatments in the Salvation Army branch in Station Road, Sudbury, starting in the new year.

The mother-of-three who owns her own business, KLS Hair Design and Aesthetics, said she became interested in the Haircuts 4 Homeless charity, which sees hairdressers volunteer their time free of charge to cut homeless people's hair, after she saw adverts for the scheme in Colchester and Clacton.

Kirsty Swain, who is behind the initiative (Image: Kirsty Swain)

"I follow them [Haircuts 4 Homeless] and I have seen them advertised quite a few times and wanted to go and help out but I realised there was nothing really local to me," she said.

"I then wanted to set something up and it is all coming together now."

After reaching out to Haircuts 4 Homeless and securing the location, Ms Swain is now hoping to begin offering the sessions once a month starting in February 2024. 

Salvation Army in Station Road, Sudbury (Image: Google maps)

"It is amazing what a haircut and a beard trim can do for a bit of dignity and confidence," she said.

"I did used to work in a barbers in Sudbury for 15 years and we did have a few homeless people that would pop in and my boss would give them a free haircut or wash.

"It is amazing how much difference it would make to someone just looking a bit more presentable and I want to provide that."

Ms Swain said several hairdressers, including the owner of Men's Den in Long Melford, have reached out to offer help ahead of the first session. 

"Lots of people have been saying 'wow this is great' and how good it will be for the town," she said.

"I hope shopkeepers will display a poster or leaflets for me to spread the word because a lot of homeless people might not have social media and I want to reach as many as possible."