Two kind hearted Glasgow barbers have started cutting hair for the homeless for free
Two Glasgow barbers are giving their time to cut the hair of homeless people in the city – and are making a name for themselves.
College students Dave Mitchell and Steven Thompson are being dubbed The Homeless Barbers after they began giving their time for free to help the city’s homeless.
They came up with the idea after their lecturer told them to get some cutting time to practice their skills.
They now visit the Salvation Army and Trotters drop-in centre on West Campbell Street every Friday to offer their service to homeless people.
Dave, who is from Easterhouse, said: "Now we don’t need cutting time and we do this every week.
"It's really good cutting these guys hair and showing them the final product."
He added: "I recently cut a Romanian boy's hair. He hadn’t had his hair cut in about six months so I put a nice fade in.
"The guy nearly burst out crying as he was going for a job interview that day
"That’s the whole thing about it. It is the look good, feel good factor and that is the benefit we get from it."
He continued: "Steven was homeless at one point and staying in a hostel, so he knows the hardships of it.
"When you are homeless £10 for a haircut is not on a list of priorities."
When you are homeless £10 for a haircut is not on a list of priorities
The initiative is a huge hit and they are hoping to expand the service further.The barbers are now in discussions with other charities including Glasgow City Mission and Huntershill Court Lifehouse to expand.
They are also appealing to other barbers who are able to donate kit.
Dave said: "We want to try and take this on the road, and hopefully people will come and join.
"This is a small organisation and we want to take it bigger."
He added: "We hope other barbers will read the story and donate some kit to us.
"Old clippers, scissors or combs so we can have separate kits to do this type of work.
"Right now, we are using our own stuff which is expensive to replace if it goes."
To get in touch with Dave, contact 07464 087080.
