Volunteering skills at homelessness charity is a snip

By Emmaus

20 Feb 2023

Emmausburnleycompanionnick Desktop

Emmaus in Lancashire is calling for local businesses to support people working their way out of homelessness, after linking up with volunteer hairdressing team Haircuts 4 Homeless. 

Six beneficiaries of the Emmaus charity department store at Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre received free hair makeovers recently, signalling the start of a new volunteering relationship. 

Haircuts 4 Homeless plan to continue their visits permanently, supporting the homelessness charity’s drive to restore lost confidence and boost self esteem among people in need. 

Emmaus in Lancashire helps adults with experience of homelessness, providing homes, personalised support, and meaningful work and training for adults. Funding comes from the sale of second hand and new goods at Emmaus Department Store in Rochdale Exchange on Market Way, and three charity stores in Preston.

Volunteer Hannah Yates visited the Rochdale store on behalf of the Haircuts 4 Homeless team, offering free restyles to people being supported by Emmaus. Hannah works five days a week at Hair By Lisa Prescott in Tarleton in addition to volunteering. 

Inspiration to volunteer

Hannah said: “I was inspired to start coming to Emmaus Department Store to speak to people and cut hair, after seeing the care that Emmaus provides for people who have been homeless.  

“We all know how a haircut makes us feel; our hair is the crown we never take off. To give up a few hours of my time costs nothing, but the way it makes the client feel makes it all worthwhile. 

“I personally like working with Emmaus because people there want to help themselves and each other towards better outcomes. People helped by Emmaus are very well supported and I feel that when I visit Emmaus communities. I’m so grateful that I’m able to use my skills as a hairdresser to make people feel better.” 

Haircuts 4 Homeless is a charity on a mission to help homeless people feel better by cutting hair, supported by many well-known names within the industry. Volunteers work with charities and people who are street homeless across the UK, and Hannah is looking forward to continue visiting Emmaus Department Store in Rochdale on a regular basis, in addition to Emmaus' community home in Preston, to give free haircuts in the future. 

Volunteering your skills

Director of Emmaus in Lancashire, Stephen Buchanan, said: “It was brilliant to welcome Haircuts 4 Homeless to Emmaus Department Store. Everyone was really excited to welcome Hannah and pleased with the results. 

“Emmaus in Lancashire is on the look out for businesses and organisations who would like to help and would like to open up a voluntary skills library to help people receiving support here with health and wellbeing opportunities as well as work experience and training. 

“Taking care of yourself can be a low priority, or all but impossible, for people struggling to find food, somewhere to live or someone to turn to. It’s wonderful to see stylists and barbers volunteering their time. We would love more local organisations to come on board to help Emmaus support people to start feeling more human again.” 

How Emmaus helps

At Emmaus, people with experience of homelessness are helped with life skills, support with health, wellbeing and the management of finances in order to progress towards independent living.  

By living in a communal setting, Emmaus fosters a sense of companionship and routine. Training is also available to help people move into meaningful employment when they are ready to leave. 

If you or your organisation or business would like to volunteer, please take a look at the roles and opportunities at Emmaus in Burnley and Rochdale here or at Emmaus in Preston here. The charity welcomes volunteering as part of corporate social responsibility programmes and work placements. Please get in touch using our online form if there is another way you would like to support.

Latest news

1

University recognises adidas curator Gary Aspden

University recognises adidas curator

11 Jul 2025

2

Investment drives growth plan at CoolKit Coolkit Vans

Investment drives growth plan at CoolKit

11 Jul 2025

3

Story Homes submits plans for 140 new homes in Longton Story Homes plans

Story Homes submits plans for 140 new homes in Longton

11 Jul 2025

4

University of Lancashire climbs 14 places in student positivity survey Happy students at ULAN

University of Lancashire climbs 14 places in student positivity survey

10 Jul 2025

5

Forbes Solicitors achieves strong growth and promotes 15 Forbes Solicitors promotions

Forbes Solicitors achieves strong growth and promotes 15

10 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley College University Courses Building, Burnley, BB12 0AN

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Lancashire Business Day 2025
241122lbvlancashiredaylhp0647web
Networking
27 Nov 2025

Lancashire Business Day 2025

Burnley FC , Burnley, BB10 4BX

12:00 - 17:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin