MANCHESTER’S barber for the homeless is bringing his mission from the streets into the shop – training underprivileged men and helping them regain control of their lives.

After a phenomenal first year, Sale’s Skullfades Foundation is ready to take its next step by opening a training studio in its Washway Road shop.

Shop owner and foundation founder Ged King will be helping men from disadvantaged backgrounds to launch their barbering careers.

“It is a hope that through the training programme they will get back into a routine of working and this will take place in a compassionate, encouraging and inspiring environment,” said Ged.

“Alongside the practical skills, outside agencies will be brought in to talk about personal development strategies, all in the hope that trainees will want to better themselves and think about what they could give back to their communities.”

Ged hopes to work with referrals from Barnabus, a charity for people who are homeless and socially deprived, and Coffee for Craig, a cafe inspired by Craig White, who lived and died on the streets of Cardiff.

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Ged King at Skullfades Barber Shop in Sale

He has a strong relationship with the organisations, having teamed up with them on projects in Manchester throughout last year.

Ged, who has been dubbed Manchester’s barber for the homeless, started off by offering haircuts to those living on the streets in his free time, which soon evolved into charity sleepouts, a winter appeal and a bumper care outreach day.

And Ged is offering businesses a unique opportunity to get involved with the new training scheme.

Three additional stations will soon be installed and Ged is asking for businesses to sponsor a chair at £40 per week.

“They can do it for as long as they want,” said Ged. “We can advertise their sponsorship on social media and they can put stickers on the chairs themselves.”

The new trainees won’t be the first to benefit. Ged was approached by a man who was living in his car last year, who was interested in becoming a barber.

After joining the Skullfades team, it has come full circle for the new barber, who is now cutting homeless people’s hair in the city. And the foundation is not exclusively for the homeless community.

Ged, a keen boxing fan, recently donated £1,000 worth of boxing equipment to Sale West Boxing Club.

He also surprised the youngsters with a visit from their hero, Sale boxer Sam Hyde.

“He chatted with the kids about being a champion, they loved it,” said Ged.

“The young ones look up to Sam, he started at Sale West so it is nice for them to meet him and see how he has risen through the ranks, amateur and professional.”

He also gifted a pair of boxing gloves signed by American heavyweight boxing champion Larry Holmes, who dropped by Skullfades shop late last year.

For more on the Skullfades Foundation visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/gerard-king. Anyone interested in sponsoring a chair, contact Ged on 0161 973 0184 or visit their Facebook page.