KH Hair Salon Director Dawn Bramhall with Sharon Page and Helen Stilwell
The team at KH Hair in Arnold say they are ‘overwhelmed’ by the generous response from the public following a plea for donations to help keep Nottingham’s homeless warm this winter.
The salon put out a call for donations of items including shoes, warm clothing, food and toiletries, which were delivered to the Salvation Army’s William Booth Memorial Halls on Wednesday 11 December and distributed to service users visiting the weekly Wednesday Kitchen.
Around 100 guests visit the Wednesday kitchen, provided by the Salvation Army in partnership with S.A.F.E (Supporting Arms Feeding Everyone). KH Hair salon manager, Helen Stilwell, says: “We can’t believe the fantastic response and would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who donated clothing, sleeping bags, food and other items that will help the homeless through the cold winter months. It really was overwhelming to see so many people caring about those less fortunate and it was a privilege to meet some of the people who use the facilities and to hear their stories.”
The Wednesday Kitchen gives visitors an opportunity to enjoy a hot meal and a chance to sit somewhere warm for a while. Salvation Army volunteer, Sharon Page, said: “Donations from the public are really appreciated by our service users. Not only does it mean they can feel warmer, drier and fresher but they know people care about them and that’s just as important.”
One such visitor, known as JB, said: “I love coming here. Everyone is so friendly it makes me feel happy. It’s like a proper community where you feel like people actually care about you.”
A chance conversation with a homeless hairdresser on the evening has inspired Helen and her team mates to help support the centre further. “He told us he cuts the hair of other services users and we have offered to go back and help him.” she explained. “We are also happy to donate some new equipment for him including combs, neck collars and gowns.”
S.A.F.E’s Sharron Spowage added: “We have been touched by the generosity of so many people at this special time of the year. Thanks to KH Hair, not only can we help people now, but we have a good stock of things for the coming year and have also been able to add to the small food bank we support here at King Edward Street. Furthermore, we are able to send appropriate donations to a local women’s refuge for mums and children fleeing from domestic violence. We are so grateful and happy that we can help so many people.”
