Hairdresser gives free cuts in community centre

A hairdresser who's been offering free haircuts for a year said he wanted to give back to his local community during the cost of living crisis.

Josh Humphries, who holds occasional free sessions at a community centre in Telford, said "it's really important at the moment that people do what they can to help".

His latest session at Arleston community centre, during this week's half term, was a welcome boost to those for whom a haircut would otherwise be a rare luxury.

Customer Tracey Quine said a salon appointment usually sets her back "quite a lot of money", so she can't afford regular visits.

She turned up at Josh's pop-up with one of her sons who "just needs his hair trimming... so he looks nice for school".

"It costs quite a lot of money when you've got two boys and a father who need a haircut every five to six weeks," she told BBC Radio Shropshire.

Mr Humphries' sessions are part of the Welcoming Spaces initiative, which brings people in parts of Telford & Wrekin together over coffee while offering help with things like benefits, getting online and avoiding scams.

Angela McClements is the local Labour councillor and helps put the events together in Arleston which run every Tuesday morning.

"I'm absolutely delighted that Josh has decided to give his time for free," she said.

"We all know how costly it is to have your hair cut, especially when you have a family of children."

She added the hairdresser would "be there every week if he could", but said February half-term was likely to be his next session.

For Mr Humphries, who usually works at the Black Orchid salon in Shifnal, it is about putting back into the community.

"Angela sees first-hand the struggles that people have in her role as a councillor and running the community centre," he says.

"So I think it's really important just to try and create a little bit of positivity in people's worlds.

"I love making people feel the best version of themselves."