A THOUGHTFUL hairdresser has launched a dementia friendly day each week to support people living with the illness.

Sarah Haswell, who works in Vow Hair and Beauty Lounge in Troon, will offer her chair for discounted treatments, cuts, styles to take pressure off families and give their loved one back some independence.

Sarah who has been hairdressing since she was 16, also volunteers helping residents at a local care home – styling hair every Saturday.

The 29-year-old also spent time working as a carer within a home, and now she wants to do something to help families caring for their elderly mums and dads.

She told the Advertiser: “I used to work in a care home so I know the effects dementia can have on a person. I also volunteer and its a really enjoyable experience.

“I just want people living with dementia to benefit from coming out and getting their hair done.

“A lot of people have their hair cut by families who are looking after them so it would be good to take the pressure off them.

“Its also about giving them that independence back, a lot of woman used to enjoy going out the hairdressers, and they can’t do that anymore when they have dementia. It will help that and make them feel good about themselves again.”

Sarah is going to run her dementia friendly morning every Wednesday from 9.30am till 1pm. Clients who attend can come along and enjoy tea/ coffee and biscuits as well as chat away to other clients.”

Sarah hopes to bring a smile to someone’s face, in a salon and has encouraged other local businesses to get involved too.

She said:“I think it would be a great thing if more places got involved. I know Morrisons in Troon has a dementia friendly hour, these sort of things can really make a difference.”