Short Back and Sidewalks begins free haircut service for homeless people in Geraldton

A charity committed to giving free haircuts to homeless people started its service in Geraldton on Monday. Short Back and Sidewalks provides not only a haircut, but social interaction for people sleeping rough. Chief executive Natalie Jenkins was present, as were a number of volunteers helping cut hair. Teresa Italiano, a volunteer hairdresser for the organisation, said she was inspired to get involved when she heard about the service. “I first heard Craig Hollywood who’s the founder speak at a global conference that I was at last year in Sydney, and I was really touched by it,” she said. “I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for people doing it tough, and I thought this is a perfect way to help out.” Ms Italiano is a Geraldton local and is the owner of the Cut Loose Hair Design. She said the volunteer experience has been unlike any other. “The whole experience is quite humbling, it’s just about being kind and treating everybody equally,” Ms Italiano said. “Seeing the happy looks on their faces has been really nice, and everyone has been so grateful and appreciative of us coming down in our own time and doing this.” Short Back and Sidewalks worked with Ruah Community Services to get it running in Geraldton. The organisation’s service is volunteer run, with the hairdressers all taking time out of their day to help out.’ Ms Italiano encouraged anyone to get involved. “I’s not much to take two hours out of your day to make people feel better about themselves,” she said. “That’s what our industry is about, even just normal everyday clients, it’s all about making people feel better about themselves and given the opportunity to escape for half an hour. “It’s a start for getting everything back on track.” The organisation is looking to run the service in Geraldton once a month.