Ezel Alsaadi, a barber in Bolton, gives free haircuts to the homeless, sharing their stories and raising awareness about their struggles.
Bolton: Ezel Alsaadi really gets what it means to struggle. He came to the UK as a refugee from Syria after fleeing the war in Iraq. His family faced tough times, almost ending up homeless themselves.
“It was rough,” he shared. “I’ve never been homeless, but I’ve had my share of struggles.” Ezel knows how hard it can be when you’re in a tough spot, relying on others for help.
After a cold night stuck outside his home for three hours, he felt inspired to help those who are homeless. “I thought about how they manage to survive in such conditions,” he said.
Then he saw a video of someone giving haircuts to the homeless and thought, “I can do that!” That’s how his journey began. He started cutting hair and sharing the experience on social media to raise awareness.
His TikTok videos took off, with one even hitting 2.9 million views! “I recorded my first haircut in Bolton and just kept going,” he explained. He’s now reaching out to people in Manchester and Liverpool too.
Ezel wants to show the world what homeless people go through. He sets up a chair and table, cuts their hair, and chats with them about their lives. His videos have received tons of positive feedback, and he’s committed to continuing this work.
“The comments I get make me proud,” he said. “I know I’m not changing their lives, but I’m trying to.” Ezel even started a Gofundme to gather supplies for those he helps on the streets of Bolton.
