Students at Edinburgh’s Telford College have been helping to spread some joy this Christmas by offering free haircuts to the Capital’s homeless community.
The SVQ2 Barbering class visited three of the Salvation Army’s centres this month to bring some festive cheer by offering free haircuts to men at the centres.
Along with lecturers from the course, eleven students were involved in the project. Both students and lecturers were split among four centres in Edinburgh including the Niddry Street, Cowgate, Pleasance and Ferry Road bases.
With the icy winter weather encroaching, the Salvation Army’s centres are the hub of the homeless community and are a place where individuals are able to enjoy food along with warm shelter.
Principal of Edinburgh’s Telford College Miles Dibsdall MBE explained why it was so important for the students of Telford to support the wider population. He said: “Christmas is a time for giving and that was the exactly the thinking behind the visit to the Salvation Army.
“The idea was brought to our attention by one of the students on the course, Alec Gallagher who was thinking of volunteering his time at the Salvation Army’s centres. The lecturers and other students loved the idea and it was decided they should all get involved.
“This time of year is sometimes extremely hard for people and exceptionally difficult for the homeless. If we can do one thing that may make their Christmas a bit easier then we will have certainly achieved something.
“We always encourage our students to get involved with the wider community and who better than to get involved with than the Salvation Army this Christmas.
“It is also the perfect chance for students to hone their skills and use them in a practical environment whilst liaising with the public.”
The Salvation Army is a Christian organisation who offer practical support and help to many people in community including the elderly and the homeless during the Christmas period and all year round.
Helen Blackburn, The Salvation Army’s Ashbrook Lifehouse Manager said,”We are truly humbled by the kindness of the students. For our service users to know that someone else cares for them is the real spirit of Christmas.”
Edinburgh’s Telford College is highly regarded for its facilities for teaching hairdressing and not only provides high quality training to learners, but also offers a wide range of hairdressing services to the local community through its own hairdressing salon, The Studio. More information about Telford College can be found on their website.
