Having our hair done once a month or so is something many of us take for granted.
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But if you are unemployed and putting your children first that is not so easy.
So in has stepped Sebelle Salon owner Lina Sorrentino who in the last six weeks has started making many people who can't afford to go to a salon feel special.
In May she opened the doors in Globe Lane on her say off to wash, cut and blow-dry the hair of 12 people gathered at the Need A Feed coffee van.
Seeing the smiles on the faces of people who had not been able to have their hair done in a salon for up to 35 years she decided to do it on a regular basis.
On Monday morning she and Blair Pinchan were back in on their day off making a difference in many more lives.
Among those having their hair done was a very grateful Rebecca Grech who left feeling like a movie star after not having had her hair done in a salon for over four years.
Ms Grech has always put her children first but on Monday it was her turn to be made feel special.
"I have never had my hair washed or treated," she said.
"I have just had it cut because that is all I can afford. My hair is always long and thin. It costs me about $40 just for a cut. And if you want a style cut you are going up in price.
"I don't get to do this at all. I cut my kids hair and try and help my mum cut hers but I am no hairdresser. This looks great. It feels really good. I am only on Newstart and I have got two children. They come before me. Their hair gets done before mine.
"I didn't know about this. I was just told on Friday. It was just when I was talking to a friend that I needed a hair cut the lovely lady behind said they were doing free haircuts today. I just thought WOW this was meant to be.
"I feel spoilt. It's hard when you are not working. You don't get to do this. It is great that these girls are doing this for people. I can't thank them enough. My hair feels great I can't wait to walk down the street looking like this. It is lovely what they are doing for people".
Ms Sorrentino said everyone deserves to feel nice and enjoy such an experience.
"It is important to help people and give back. Everyone deserves to feel good inside and out. This is something I can and like to do. Every little bit helps," she said.
"Seeing the smiles has been really amazing. Watching them walk out of here feeling good is great. This the second time we have done it. We are doing it every six weeks on a Monday. They love the experience and we love it too".
Need A Feed founder Shaz Harrison said it was fantastic seeing the response to what Ms Sorrentino decided she could so after seeing what the Need A Feed coffee van was doing in the Globe Lane.
"A lot of people want to help but they don't know how to help. The ripple affect of having this experience has carried on for the last six weeks ago. Those who came last time are still walking taller, feeling confident and happy".
Susie Freimayer said she came along after hearing about it from Need A Feed and will definitely be back to have her hair done again in six weeks.
"This is fantastic. It is their day off and they have come in and done this. It is excellent," she said.
Ms Pinchan said it was also an amazing experience for her. She has been a hairdresser for 16 years and seeing people walk out feeling so good and happy from something she does every day is incredible.
"It puts a smile on my face and makes my day too," she said.
Ms Pinchan hopes other what Sebelle Salon is doing helps others consider what they might be able to do to make someone else feel good.
Detective Chief Inspector Bran Ainsworth, of NSW Police, said seeing people come in who had not had their hair cut in a salon for years or even decades really made him think about how easy it is to take such things for granted.
"I would like to say a big thank you to the ladies here at Sebelle Salon," he said.
"It is great community spirit. They have come in here on their day off to donate their time and their service and as you can see are putting a smile on quite a few faces. It is fantastic. And it is gathering a lot of momentum".
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
