Free haircuts project aims to inspire other stylists
Georgia Chappels runs free community haircuts to help those feeling the impact of rising costs.
Free haircuts project hopes to encourage other stylists
Each session is run by professional hairdressers and barbers who give their time outside their paid work.
A hair stylist from Ringwood is hoping to encourage other hairdressers across the country to provide free haircuts.
A few years ago, Georgia Chappels found herself in a "financial crisis" after going through a divorce. She depended on foodbanks and charities to help support her family.
She now runs the Community Haircuts project in Hampshire, offering a free, drop-in service with no questions asked.
She says: "I can't give back monetary value into the community, but I can give back my time."
Georgia retrained as a hairdresser after struggling with financial issues.
Chappels and other stylists from the area have been running the project for a year, at several venues across Hampshire and Dorset.
She hopes it will help anyone who is struggling as the cost of living keeps rising.
"People are making ends meet", she said.
"The mum might work two jobs, the dad works full time. Yes, they've got a mortgage. Yes, they've got a car.
"But the bills and everything after everything's gone - there's no money for luxuries such as a haircut."
And the service is not only for parents and their children - it is for everyone and has also been used by students and elderly members of the community.
Barber Thomas Perriman has only recently begun his career but has given some of his time to the project.
He said: "It's so important to give back when you've maybe gone through stuff yourself.
"Everyone in the community deserves to get their hair cut in an environment which, for whatever reason, they might not be able to get to normally."
Chappels also continues to work in a salon four days a week, alongside the regular Community Haircut events.
Although they do not have the same facilities or products that might be used in a salon, the team tries to make it feel as luxurious as possible.
Events are promoted on their Facebook page, and Chappels hopes to spread the word so other hair stylists will offer their time to provide a similar service.
"I would love to inspire other hairdressers up and down the country to maybe roll it out in their local community. It takes a couple of hours a month.
"The difference a haircut can make is it makes you feel like you again. It's more than just a haircut."