News: We speak with the minds behind Haircuts4Homeless.

Moving exhibition Angel Central

Haircuts4Homeless, the registered charity set up by veteran hairdresser Stewart Roberts MBE, teamed up with Angel Central Islington in September, to exhibit beautiful portrait photographs from clients over the past three years.

Inspired by the actions of hairdressers all over the world who cut hair for the homeless, Stewart set out not only to do this himself, but to build a whole community of skilled volunteers who can offer their services free of charge. Over the past eight years, Haircuts4Homeless has evolved from a single session in Essex, to 65 projects across the UK and Ireland, with over 600 volunteers and over 40,000 haircuts given so far.

In that time, Stewart has met so many wonderful people with amazing stories that deserve to be told. Therefore, three years ago he began his collaboration with photographer Jack Eames and session hairstylist Leigh Keates, with the ambition to document clients’ spoken words in an inspirational coffee table book - Hear Me, See Me.

The exhibition held at Angel Central, showcased the exquisite photography from Hear Me, See Me, encapsulating the importance of the charity’s mission via beautiful black and white portraits of Haircuts4Homeless clients.

With press, industry experts and many well-known faces at the launch of the exhibition, Stewart hoped to raise awareness of the charity, and to that he did and more. The thoughtprovoking imagery and intimate telling’s from clients, humanised the face of homelessness by challenging stigmas and stereotypes. In the stark, white gallery space at Angel Central, the message couldn’t have been louder – the smallest of actions can have the greatest effect. A haircut can have a huge impact on a person, not just improving their confidence but making them feel cared for and listened to, a moment they may not often experience.

Haircuts4Homeless Founder, Stewart Roberts commented: “Over the past three years we’ve met so many people and heard so many different stories, to be able to partner with Angel Central and put these stories on display to the public and raise awareness of the work that we do is something I’m really proud of. For us this was not just an exhibition, not just a book or a haircut, but a community that creates a space for wellbeing and acceptance and I’m delighted to be able to share the stories of the people that we’ve worked with over the years.”

Adam Cummins, Centre Manager, Angel Central said: “The work that Stewart and the team has done at Haircuts4Homeless is something that they should all be extremely proud of. I’m delighted that could host their exhibition and bring something new to Angel central for our visitors.”

The Haircuts4Homeless exhibition will now be on display at Beehives, Bobs & Blowdries at the Piece Hall in Halifax, from 17th September to 16th October 2022. A first of its kind exhibition, celebrating the last 70 years of British hairdressing, showcasing iconic looks of the past and highlighting the importance of sustainability in the future. Visit www.haircuts4homeless.com