It’s hard to believe it’s already been a year since Hair in the Community CIC began taking shape—and what a journey it’s been so far. What started as a hopeful idea has grown into a not-for-profit organisation with real heart and impact, powered by people who believe in using their skills to lift others up.
Founded in Exeter, Devon, by Mary Pugsley MBE—who also runs the vocational training salon Hair at the Academy– Hair In The Community was born from a deep understanding of how education, care, and community support can transform lives. After more than 20 years of helping young people and adults find direction, Mary saw an opportunity to do even more—especially for those facing the biggest challenges.
At its core, Hair In The Community is all about empowering people through education and employment, and giving back in practical, meaningful ways. Whether it’s a free haircut for someone who’s been sleeping rough, skills taster sessions, specialist barber training for a young person ready to take the next step, or providing targeted support to young people who are NEET, we’re here to help people feel seen, valued, and hopeful about their future.
Supporting Young People to Build Brighter Futures at Hair In The Community
One of our proudest milestones this year has been our Barber Training Programme—a pilot course designed for young people who aren’t in education, employment, or training (NEET), or who’ve experienced marginalisation and disadvantage.
With no external funding available to secure, we personally invested in a 23-week course for two incredible young women, Abigail and Anastasia, who had faced periods of homelessness and complex life circumstances. Referred to us by St Petrock’s Homeless Charity, both showed determination and heart—the kind of mindset we know leads to real progress.
We provided them with:
- Guided, hands-on tuition from professional tutors
- High-quality equipment and resources
- One-on-one mentoring and welfare support
- Real-life experience at our Haircuts for Confidence sessions
In addition to their barbering qualifications, Anna and Abbi also completed Mental Health Awareness training, equipping them with the tools to support their own wellbeing and that of others in the wider community.
But it doesn’t stop at hairdressing. Through our programmes, young people are also building transferable skills that will serve them for life—like timekeeping, teamwork, problem-solving, listening, and the ability to communicate with people from all walks of life. These are the soft skills that often get overlooked but are essential for any job and for navigating life. By nurturing these qualities early on, we’re helping shape a stronger, more skilled, and emotionally equipped workforce for the future.
Fast forward to today: both sisters are now fully qualified barbers, and they’ve come full circle—offering free haircuts to others through our community projects. Their journey has been nothing short of inspiring. Anastasia shared:
“People have always told me I’d never do anything with my life. It’s going to be amazing to be seen as someone who’s actually achieved something.”
Their success reminds us what’s possible when people are met with opportunity, care, and belief.
Haircuts for Confidence: Dignity Through a Simple Act
Our second major project, Haircuts for Confidence, has brought free, high-quality haircuts to people in need across Exeter and Dawlish. With regular sessions at St Petrock’s Homeless Charity and The Strand Community Centre, our team—led by Community Barbering Lead Rhi Belcher—has delivered around 100 haircuts since September 2024, with the support of our newly trained barbers.
These aren’t just haircuts. They’re conversations, confidence boosts, and acts of care.
We’ve cut hair for:
- People experiencing homelessness
- Older men isolated in rural communities
- People preparing for job interviews
- Clients who haven’t had access to self-care for months or even years
One client, Brian, told us:
“I feel like me again. You girls don’t realise the difference you make every day.”
Another, Dan, said his haircut gave him:
“A new lease of life.”
And Gabriel, heading to a job interview, felt ready to put his best self forward:
“Now I look the part—I feel so much more confident.”
It’s these stories that fuel our work. Hair might seem like a small thing, but it can have a powerful ripple effect—restoring dignity, lifting spirits, and opening doors.
A Year of Impact, A Future of Possibility
From helping young people into skilled work to giving back through free, dignity-affirming services, our first year has been about building bridges—between individuals, opportunities, and the wider community.
We’ve been lucky to have some support of brilliant partners and funders, including:
- St Petrock’s Homeless Charity
- The Strand Community Centre
- South West Water’s Neighbourhood Fund
- The Gibsons Trust
- And a generous local family trust
Together, we’ve shown that change doesn’t need to be huge or complex—it just needs to be human: local people, helping local people.
What’s Next for Hair In The Community?
We’re only just getting started. Our goal moving forward is to expand both of our core projects and offer even more young people a route into meaningful employment.
Thanks to funding from The Gibsons Trust, we’re delighted to be able to continue offering free haircuts at St Petrock’s for more weeks—a service that makes a real difference to people experiencing homelessness. We’ll also be supporting Abigail and Anastasia to offer free haircuts going forward, giving them the opportunity to build more practice and confidence in their new skills.
Looking ahead, we are actively seeking funding to launch a series of career discovery weeks designed to support young people who are NEET. These free sessions will introduce students to vocational education pathways, offer hands-on experience in hair and beauty, and provide tailored careers support and guidance to help them take their next steps with confidence.
We believe in the power of second chances, in community-led support, and in the simple but profound impact of a haircut offered with care.
As we celebrate our first birthday, we’re filled with gratitude—for our trainees, our clients, our partners, and every single person who has believed in what we do. Thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to another year of confidence, connection, and community—one haircut at a time.