In Lyon, the association “Coiffure du cœur” brings together hairdressing professionals and volunteers, place Carnot, in order to do their hair for the most disadvantaged during a privileged moment of relaxation.
As night fell, the association’s team “Coiffure du cœur” is preparing to welcome their customers, scissors and comb in hand. In this improvised open-air salon, people in need can come and have their hair cut with the “Coiffure du cœur” association and share a meal with the “Fraternité” association.
A free cut with hairdressing professionals
Created in 2018 in Toulon, the association has evolved and now offers its services in several cities in France. “We were two, three, and then now, we are around twenty between Tarbes, Toulon, La Seyne, Avignon, Lyon” explains Hélène Boiron, president of the association. Hairdresser in La Seyne-sur-Mer and in Toulon in the Var, she co-founded this association which today brings together several volunteers.
Quentin, a hairdressing apprentice, is also part of the team. “It’s a nice action, I really wanted to do it”. Comb, trimmer, brush, the young man, adorned with his equipment, does his hair but also creates social ties with these people. For Lan Dorey, head of the Lyon branch, the goal is “to help too, in the street”. Same story for Bruno Morel, head of the Avignon branch, who wishes to “federate people, hairdressing professionals, to make people want to, but also volunteers to come and animate a little bit, distribute coffees, distribute drinks.“
Create a link, beyond the hairstyle
Comforting words, exchanges and smiles are also exchanged during these moments. “The goal is to come, of course, to have a good time with us, that we give them a makeover, that we pamper them”, Bruno explains Morel, who adds, that the participants come above all because they have a great lack of social ties, because they feel alone. Some are victims of domestic violence or suffer from various addictions. Today, the president of the association prefers the street to her hair salon. “I feel more useful. People are sincere here. Very often, they have lost everything, so they have nothing more to lose, and easily surrender”. Between benevolence and confidence, the traveling hair salon brings people together and warms hearts.