Valerie launches the National Hair Service

Salon boss to give free haircuts to health staff

A Paisley salon boss is turning her business into the National Hair Service in honour of healthcare workers tacking the coronavirus crisis.

Big- hearted Valerie Lang, owner of Skye Aesthetics in the town, is offering 40 free cut-andblow-dry appointments to NHS and care home workers serving on the frontline of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Valerie, a former hairdressing lecturer at the town’s Reid Kerr College – now West College Scotland – wanted to do something to say thank you for the courage and professionalism that nurses, paramedics and care home workers have been demonstrating during the biggest health crisis of our lifetime.

She has joined up with fellow stylists Maureen Carroll and

Angela McDougall in offering the free appointments at the salon in Gordon Street, once the lockdown is lifted.

She said: “I came out of retirement in December last year and opened the business. It was then closed down in March because of the Covid-19 crisis.

“But, even sitting at home during all of this, I knew I wanted to do something to help all the nurses and care home workers who are doing such wonderful things for patients, working long hard shifts in the most difficult of circumstances.

“It is important we recognise their amazing work. I wanted to give something back to them.”

Valerie has since been bombarded with requests from nurses and care home staff, with around 20 of the appointments already booked up.

She told of her surprise when some of the nurses working in the RAH who contacted her to make an appointment turned out to be former hairdressing students of hers.

She said: “I was amazed when former students, now working on the frontline as nurses, contacted me and told me how they remembered me training them in hairdressing.

“It is quite a surprise to think they are working now as NHS nurses during the crisis. They were hairdressing students and now they are heroes.”

Valerie said 20 slots are still available, only for those employed in the healthcare profession.

The appointments will be confirmed for each person once the salon reopens for business after the lockdown has been lifted in consideration with government health guidelines.

Previously, Valerie has worked at the top of the profession, judging world championship contests and training winners in the world skills contests.

For more information, contact the salon at www. facebook.com/ SkyeAe s t h e t i c s Paisley/