Short Back & Sidewalks receive funding boost to expand into regional WA

Short Back & Sidewalks (SBSW) is an awesome service that began in Perth to provide haircuts free of charge and judgement to people experiencing homelessness and poverty, and this week they received a fantastic funding boost to expand those services.

Thanks to a $180,000 Lotterywest grant, they’ll now be able to expand operations into regional Western Australia.

“Short Back & Sidewalks is kicking goals by engaging and empowering people through the transformational power of a haircut,” said WA Homelessness Minister John Carey.

“Through their service, they are creating positive connections with vulnerable and marginalised community members to build a stronger and more inclusive community.”

Haircuts are something many of us take for granted, but as SBSW founder Craig Hollywood put it to us last year: “Positive connection and enhanced appearance are integral to your self-confidence, mental health and well-being… It could be the confidence boost someone needs to apply for accommodation or for a job.”

SBSW CEO Natalie Jenkins said the Lotterywest grant was a significant moment for the charity.

“This grant will assist us to expand our operations regionally throughout WA and provide important resources for our volunteer team,” she said.

“We are very grateful to Lotterywest for seeing the value in what we do and enabling us to deliver more haircuts, free of charge and free of judgment, to those who need it.”

SBSW aims to give 15,000 free haircuts and positive community connections per year by 2025, and you can find out more via shortbackandsidewalks.com.

Image Credit: SBSW Chair Tim Marney, SBSW Founder Craig Hollywood, WA Homelessness Minister John Carey, SBSW CEO Natalie Jenkins.