In 2015, Craig Hollywood pitched the idea of offering free haircuts to people experiencing homelessness at a barbershop in Perth.
Calling it Short Back & Sidewalks, it has since grown into a national for-impact organisation that’s gone from strength to strength.
Current Work:
Since the days of heading to car parks in the Perth suburb of Northbridge with a couple of barbers, Short Back & Sidewalks now has around 350 volunteers on its books. Over the years it’s given out over 7,400 free haircuts, regularly operating alongside some of Australia’s largest service providers.
Initially set up to help members of the community experiencing homelessness, Short Back & Sidewalks has now expanded its reach. It also supports young people at risk, women with lived experience of domestic violence, and remote communities where a haircut isn’t easily accessible.
Craig can’t cut hair (he’s an engineer) but knows the difference a sharp new haircut and a conversation can make to someone’s day.
For his work Craig was named as the 2022 Western Australia’s Local Hero in the Australian Of The Year Awards and the City Of Perth Citizen Of The Year for 2022.
By giving free haircuts, Craig is creating connections with vulnerable community members and providing positive benefits to volunteers across Australia - ultimately building a stronger and more inclusive community.
Talking Points
AFTER ISO: Have we forgotten how to work together after so much time apart? The power of positive connections and collaborations.
Collaboration is key to any success, but first we have to connect with each other again. (Demonstrating the power of collaboration i.e. services exist autonomously but achieve much greater outcomes when ideas and efforts come together.AFTER ISO: Have we forgotten how to work together after so much time apart? The power of positive connections and collaborations.
Activating social consciousness and thinking differently about contributing to society is one of the three pillars of corporate responsibility.
In this Keynote Craig will help audiences reframe the conventional to the inspirational and help them understand that thinking outside the box can be a game-changer.
Key Takeaways:
- Greater collaboration and willingness to collaborate post-COVID silos.
- Stronger social consciousness in support of corporate responsibilities.
- Pressing the refresh button on the conventional can have game-changing impacts.
- Gaining awareness of the tangible mental health benefits and positive impact that volunteering can provide to them and their staff.
Video
Craig Hollywood | 2022 Western Australia's Local Hero | Short Back & Sidewalks
In 2015, Craig pitched the idea of offering free haircuts to people experiencing homelessness to a barbershop in Perth. Calling it Short Back & Sidewalks, it has since grown into a national for-impact organisation that’s gone from strength to strength. Since the days of heading to car parks in the Perth suburb of Northbridge with a couple of barbers, Short Back & Sidewalks now has around 350 volunteers on its books. Over the years it’s given out over 7,400 free haircuts, regularly operating alongside some of Australia’s largest service providers. Initially set up to help members of the community experiencing homelessness, Short Back & Sidewalks has now expanded its reach. It also supports young people at risk, women with lived experience of domestic violence, and remote communities where a haircut isn’t easily accessible. Craig can’t cut hair (he’s an engineer) but knows the difference a sharp new haircut and a conversation can make to someone’s day. For his work Craig was named as the 2022 Western Australia’s Local Hero in the Australian Of The Year Awards and the City Of Perth Citizen Of The Year for 2022. By giving free haircuts, Craig is creating connections with vulnerable community members and providing positive benefits to volunteers across Australia - ultimately building a stronger and more inclusive community.Craig Hollywood | The Project | Short Back & Sidewalks
Many of us take getting a haircut for granted, but for those in need, it can be a struggle. Short Back and Sidewalks is giving free haircuts to those who need them, without judgement.Craig Hollywood, Local Hero WA 2021 is an engaging, charismatic, passionate person who embodies what is good about society and allows all of us to think differently about the mark we want to ... keep reading National Australia Day Council
Craig isn’t a hairdresser, social worker or expert on homelessness - he is an empathic listener and great conversationalist. It is these connections formed through his charity Short Back & Sidewalks that create the biggest impact on our community
Craig is a community leader who understands the power of a positive connection. Craig is an expert collaborator, he seeks to ensure the services of Short Back & Sidewalks are coordinated and easy to access. Craig believes no one service or organisation can singlehandedly end homelessness, but by bringing resources together to provide better wrap-around support, that we have a real opportunity to do better for the Aussies who need us most.
