Taking his passion to the streets
Something as simple as a haircut may not be a big deal for some, but it’s created a positive influence for many of my client’s lives.
Nasir Sobhani
Certificate III in Hairdressing SHB30416 (previously Certificate III in Hairdressing SIH30111)
Nasir Sobhani, also known as 'The Streets Barber', began offering homeless people free grooming services while completing a Certificate III in Hairdressing (now Certificate III in Hairdressing SHB30416) at Victoria University (VU). Believing that a clean cut can lead to a fresh start, Nasir's work has continued and grown.
Over the years he's visited many different community organisations, shelters and communities, listening to personal stories – building meaningful connections and spreading hope.
“Cutting hair is my passion. There’s nothing that I’d rather do in life, so it only seems befitting that on my day off I’m doing what I love.
"I look for people that are living on the streets and I try to offer them a haircut, a face shave or even my companionship.
"My end goal is to give them a form of confidence that they sometimes tend to not have.
"It may be a superficial change, but if that can change a frame of reference or an inner reflection about themselves, then that’s the first step.
"When I first meet people on the streets, they’re really timid and shy, but once they see their reflection in the mirror, the joy on their face and the notion of feeling valued is just priceless.
"I think it does more for me than it does for them and that’s one of the driving forces for me to want to keep doing what I do.
"Something as simple as a haircut may not be a big deal for some, but it’s created a positive influence for many of my client’s lives."
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