Homelessness hairdressers Short Back and Sidewalks expand services to Albany for first time

People doing it tough in Albany can “reclaim their identity and self-confidence” with a free haircut thanks to the arrival of a Perth-based makeover initiative for the underprivileged.

Short Back & Sidewalks offers haircuts to marginalised and vulnerable people “free of charge and judgment” and has recently expanded its service to Albany, partnering with local service providers for two days of makeovers.

SBS visited Albany Youth Support Association, the Salvation Army and the Albany Women’s Centre on December 9 and 10 to offer people experiencing homelessness and hardship the simple pleasure of looking good.

Salvation Army client Shananne Miller, who brought her five-year-old Johnny with her, said she was “so happy” to be “looking nice and feeling special” in time for the festive season.

“It was so lovely coming here and having mine and his hair done, I feel very privileged,” she said.

“It actually brought tears to my eyes and Johnny’s so happy he got to choose exactly what he wanted with the stripes.”

Started in Perth in 2015, SBS has expanded across Australia and into the regions, working with local service providers to refer clients and use their premises as temporary salons before enlisting qualified hairdressers to volunteer their skills.

SBS chief executive Natalie Jenkins said the organisation believes in “equality behind the cape”, encouraging a safe space where clients can have their dignity restored while being pampered like the “most important person in the room”.

“It’s a wonderful tool for relationship building, recreating the special salon experience where you tell your hairdresser all the things going on in your life,” she said.

“So when someone comes in for a haircut, they’re looking good for an interview or an appointment with housing but they’ve also just had a nice conversation with someone about what they’re up to.

“It makes them feel like they’re actually in control of what’s going on again in their life.”

Seeing their reflection after a haircut, they can recognise who they are again and regain their identity and self-confidence.

Salvation Army officer Colette Albino said simply “seeing yourself as you used to be” can be transformational for people going through hard times.

“These things like feeling put together you can take for granted but if you don’t have it and your circumstances are eating away at you, people tend to define you as your circumstance and say that’s who you are,” she said.

“Seeing their reflection after a haircut, they can recognise who they are again and reclaim their identity and self-confidence.”

The SBS service will return to Albany each month with booking available through Albany Youth Service Association, The Salvation Army, and Albany Women’s Centre.