Shaping futures
One UK ambassador, three Schwarzkopf technicians, seven volunteers, 32 disadvantaged young adults and six weeks of intense hairdressing training, adds up to Schwarzkopf Professional’s Shaping Futures.
This incredible social initiative continues to triumph with the 2013 trip to SOS Children’s Village in Bangalore, India, where 32 disadvantaged young people were given the skills to become hairdressers and earn a living, often for the first time.
UK hairdressers Jane De Francesco, Teresa Connolly, Susan Hackett, Hayley Shaw, Kayleigh Neild, Kelly Stewart and Lesley Maher were responsible for delivering the training under the watchful eye of UK ambassador Janet Maitland.
The trainees were immersed for six weeks in top level training providing them with the foundations to thrive within a hairdressing apprenticeship in India. Schwarzkopf Professional supports the initiative through skilled trainers and also provides all necessary tools such as model heads, products and appliances.
All 32 students took part in a finale show to prospective employers and press and an impressive 26 students went straight into a hairdressing placement. The remaining eight returned to school to finish their education before pursuing their hairdressing career.
Janet Maitland, who was appointed to a two year role as Schwarzkopf’s UK Ambassador for Shaping Futures says: “The UK team were amazing and raised over £14,000 as a united effort to support this incredible initiative. I feel very lucky and privileged to be involved with Shaping Futures. It’s a very happy and positive experience for everyone involved. It’s emotional at times, especially leaving the students, but we really felt like we made a big difference to their lives.” sos-childrensvillages.com
