Kirkintilloch hairdresser offers free hair cuts to vulnerable members of the community

Harley Johns, 22, has been cutting hair since the age of 16 and works from a home salon on Monkland Avenue.

While she has always found happiness in her work, it was the sad passing of her mother just over a year ago that inspired Harley to dedicate her time to helping others.

She said: “I used to work with my mum in a salon that specialised in hair loss.

“We would be working together almost every day.

“She passed away not long ago and at points, it was really hard to think about what my future looked like without her.

“I really wanted to do something that would make her proud.”

Looking for a way to cope with losing such a close family member, Harley started to ‘live life day by day’ and began to re-evaluate what her priorities in life were.

It was when she started to realise just how many people were silently struggling that she formed an idea that would combine her love for hairdressing with helping others.

She said: “I started going to church a lot more often, and I realised that a lot of the people who were going to the services were dealing with addiction or were in active recovery.

“There were so many people that seemed really grateful that I had stopped to talk to them, and I think that’s because sometimes if you’re in that kind of situation it’s hard to get people to give you a chance.

“So that’s when I decided that I would try and start helping people by giving them free haircuts."

Now, Harley invites people in need to visit her beautiful home salon for a much-needed bit of pampering.

Pictured: Harley in her home salon

While a simple haircut might seem like a basic experience to some, after years in the business Harley knows taking the time to look after yourself can mean much more than a simple trim.

She said: “I started calling it Haircuts for Hope because that’s what it was all about for me, giving people back a little sense of hope.

“I think everyone, myself included, knows how much better it can make you feel to have your hair done.

“Even a wee cut and blow dry can give you so much more confidence in yourself.

“When you’re were in a difficult situation or struggling with money, you probably wouldn’t prioritise getting yourself a haircut, but when they leave the salon you can see that it’s given them that extra bit of motivation to face the day.”

Harley has found her stride with Haircuts for Hope and plans to continue providing her services and is looking to partner with charities and support groups. 

It’s an inspiring story of channelling personal grief into something positive and bringing a great deal of good to her local community

She said: “A cut and blow dry should usually only take about an hour, but quite often when people come in they’ll sit for much longer.

“People do tend to open up a lot more because they start to feel relaxed.

“I feel like they don’t often get the chance to have someone listen to them.

“I think this is something I’ll always offer now.

“It’s great to see people find a bit more confidence in themselves, and it really makes me feel good too.”

For more information on Haircuts for Hope click here.