Salon offers free haircuts for homeless people

Reverend Darren Middleton said the salon hoped to help in a practical way

A new hair and beauty salon for people facing hardship has opened in Plymouth.

Reverend Darren Middleton, who runs the salon, said the REV7 salon would offer free hair and beauty treatments to people who were homeless, overcoming substance misuse or otherwise vulnerable.

The salon on Mutley Plain is part of the Methodist Church's New Places for New People project and is dedicated to help build self-esteem.

Mr Middleton said: "Having a new hairdo gives you great confidence and that might be the catalyst for someone to transform their lives."

• LISTEN: Reverend Darren Middleton describes the new salon

He said the free appointments were funded through paying clients and a pay-it-forward scheme.

"This is showing the love of God in a very practical way," he said.

"We like to call it 'a slice of heaven at REV7'."