An Edinburgh hairdresser has been chosen by a global haircare company, Schwarzkopf Professional, to join their 2018 charity initiative, Shaping Futures.
Lauren Scott, who lives and works in the capital, will join five other UK hairdressers travelling to the Philippines in August. As part of this group of volunteers, Lauren will deliver training for young people who are currently living in an SOS Children’s Village. She will teach them how to cut, colour and style hair which may open the door for future employment opportunities in the haircare profession.
Lauren began working at Austen Thomson Hair in Edinburgh about five years ago after working in Hawick and is thrilled about this exciting opportunity.
“I have been lucky to have had a wealth of great training throughout my career and I can’t wait to pass my experience and knowledge on to these young people” she said. “I want to help them create an amazing future for themselves. I am thrilled to have been selected for this year’s team, after hearing about the initiative at a Schwarzkopf event several years ago.”
“Moving to Edinburgh has given me the chance to challenge myself and provided opportunities I’d never have dreamt of before. In 2014 I was given the chance to work at the Athletes Village at the Commonwealth Games and earlier this year I was picked to work backstage at London Fashion Week – both amazing experiences. However, having been chosen to go to the Philippines for Shaping Futures may just top these!
“I am no stranger to foreign travels, with regular solo backpacking trips to South East Asia and Central America. So, the idea of going to a new country to be immersed in a new culture, teaching and learning, only fills me with excitement.”
As with all of the volunteers, Lauren has been asked to fundraise £1500 for the SOS Children’s Villages charity and the additional money needed to cover their expenses. The group has already set up a Just Giving page where donations can be made.
Kay Brady, National PPS Manager UK & IRE for Schwarzkopf Professional, said “It’s because of the passion, dedication and spirit of people like Lauren that we are able to run Shaping Futures, and offer young people a chance of a new life.
“This programme is incredibly important and over the past nine years, we’ve helped hundreds of youngsters from the SOS Children’s Villages fulfil their dreams and aspirations. We are incredibly proud of all the people involved in the initiative, but especially the young people who fight every day to create their own futures; they are inspirations to us all.”
Author of The Team for Me - 50 Years of Following Hearts. Runs Mind Generating Success, a successful therapy practice in Edinburgh. Contact me if you want rid of any unwanted habits. Twitter @Mike1874
