Charity brings in barbers ahead of new school year

Mohammed Qasim, 13, took to the hot seat for a fresh trim

A London charity that runs a uniform swap, foodbank and shop became a barbershop for the first time.

The Romford hub of S.M.I.L.E. London and Essex invited children from deprived backgrounds to have free haircuts so they feel confident when they return to school.

The charity says it provides support to families facing poverty, homelessness and hardship across London and Essex. On Thursday it welcomed 19 four to 16-year-old boys to sit in the barber's chair.

Chief executive Maria Quaife said: "One of the financial restrictions families were having is getting back to school. Boys' haircuts cost about £25 to £30 per child, and we have families who've got six or seven kids, it's so expensive."

Trainees from local barbers Hairforce1 partnered with the charity

When it comes to the cost of uniforms, government data found parents are having to pay £442 on average to kit a child out for secondary school, and £343 for primary school.

The Department for Education said lowering uniform costs was a measure in the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which aims to strengthen safeguards for vulnerable children and put more money back in parents' pockets.

To help with costs, 13-year-old Mohammed Qasim's family visits S.M.I.L.E. regularly.

His father Ishtiaq Khan, who has six children, said the haircuts were a huge help.

Trainees from local barbers Hairforce1 partnered with the charity.

Anderson Boyce, managing director at Hairforce1, said: "These boys are extremely passionate about developing and becoming the best, and opportunities like this just show it.

"They get to add something to their skill-set as well as add something to the local community, add value, give back."

Though it is the first time S.M.I.L.E. has offered a children's barbers, Ms Quaife said she hoped it would not be the last.

"It'd be great to do it as a monthly thing, so then families can budget that they can come in every other month to get their haircut. With boys' hair, it only lasts for six weeks and they've got to get re-trimmed."