Bristol beautician offers workshops for vulnerable women

"I want to bring light and self confidence to women who don't take care of themselves," Ms Sullivan said

A beautician who offers beauty treatments to vulnerable people to help them "gain confidence" has started a run of workshops for women.

Natacha Sullivan runs The Beauty of Caring CIC in Bristol, which offers classes for vulnerable women to learn how to give manicures or massages.

She is a qualified socio-aesthetician, a beautician who works with vulnerable people to help them gain confidence.

"My goal is to bring women together," Ms Sullivan said.

"I came for a manicure and it was great to learn how to treat myself in a healthy way," Carolina said

Socio-aesthetic is a therapeutic approach, which allows vulnerable people to learn to care for themselves by offering them beauty treatments.

These can be homeless people, people with addiction issues or with experience of abuse.

Carolina is one of the women taking part in Ms Sullivan's workshops, which range from manicure classes to massage sessions.

"I came for a manicure and it was great to learn how to treat myself in a healthy way, but also to learn new skills," she said.

"It's important that I need to care about myself, with beauty products. I love to join and be with other women."

Socio-aesthetic is a therapeutic approach, which allows vulnerable people to learn to care for themselves

Ms Sullivan said: "I want to help them to create and share something beautiful, I want to bring light and self confidence to women who don't take care of themselves."

She added the sessions give the women a boost, and often they tell her afterwards that they have since had the confidence to buy makeup for themselves.

Maryline, another participant of the workshops, said: "I come to the massage session because it helps me to apply self-care but also to grow my self-esteem.

"I can feel it's good for my mental health, too."

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