Students from Middlesbrough College have given homeless people in their local area haircuts and clothing.
Seven trainee barbering students from the college’s in-house salon were at the Newport Community Hub in Middlesbrough to put their skills into practice with free haircuts. The students, Karen Errington, Jennifer Lees, Lisa Trow, and Amy-Leigh Watson were on hand to help those facing hardship at the In Out of the Cold event.
Tracey Todd, barbering coordinator at Middlesbrough College, said: “The barbering team were pleased to be able to help those less fortunate than themselves. We also provided vouchers to people who attended the event so they can come into the College and get a haircut at our fully functional salon.”
The 'In Out of the Cold' event was coordinated by Middlesbrough Council and provided clean clothing, entertainment and advice to homeless people.
Meanwhile students of Middlesbrough College’s MC Academy visited the John Paul Centre to deliver food, toiletries, scarfs and gloves to be distributed to those facing poverty.
Pastries and bread were prepared by some of the Academy’s catering students who are training in the college’s Waterside Brasserie. Students Josh Arrondelle, Lillie Dearden and Corben Haviland delivered the donations.
It’s the second year running the Academy has donated to the John Paul Centre which offers support to people living in poverty.
Sharon McIntyre, teaching assistant at MC Academy, explained: “This is a really important activity for our students. Every day on their way into college they see people facing homelessness on the streets, and it can be quite shocking. By donating the students do a great deed and also build their own confidence, showing they can effect positive change in the community. Young people sometimes get bad press and we like to show our students they can hold their heads high.”