Short Back & Sidewalks

We are thrilled to welcome Carina Viola as the new Chief Executive Officer of Short Back & Sidewalks. Carina brings over 20 years of experience in the social services sector, shaped by her upbringing in the Kimberley and across regional Western Australia. With academic foundations in Psychology and Criminology. Her international experience includes managing homelessness shelters in Canada, designing programs for young people who are focused on raising awareness of sexual exploitation and building community resilience. In Australia, Carina has worked across both Adult and Youth Justice services before joining Anglicare WA in 2016, where she lead the organisation’s North West operations. Carina brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to community impact. We’re looking forward to the fresh ideas and the energy she’ll bring as we continue our mission to create positive connections through free haircuts. Please join us in welcoming Carina to the Short Back & Sidewalks team.

A big shoutout to the legends at Quick Cut, for giving their time and skills to provide free haircuts and friendly chats for those doing it tough in their local neighbourhood. This is part of our partnership with Hawaiian, through our 'Neighbourhood Haircuts' program across twelve salons, in eight of their Perth shopping centres. Thank you to all of the salons, service providers and Hawaiian shopping centres partnering with us to help create positive connections in our community, one haircut at a time. Hawaiian's Noranda

Did you catch our Founder Craig speaking with Alex Hughes from No Place for Poverty? Giving a few hours a month has benefits for people receiving but also for the wellbeing of the volunteer and as a result the community as a whole. No Place for Poverty is a social movement committed to raising awareness and driving action against poverty and inequality in Western Australia.

Here’s to our Bunbury volunteer legends, who give their time to provide free haircuts, connection, and dignity to those most in need. And a big shoutout to Intown Centre, Anglicare WA, Milligan, and Doors Wide Open, who make our services possible. Want to get involved? We’re always looking for hairdressers, barbers, and service facilitators. Visit our website to register: https://lnkd.in/gVNWYDe

We’re so excited to share that we were announced as one of the major grant winners at the Impact100WA Pitch Dinner last Friday, alongside Constable Care Foundation and Sam's Spares! This incredible recognition and the funding that comes with it, will help us to expand our work to four new services across the Perth metropolitan area and connect with more in our community experiencing homelessness and poverty with a free haircut, free of judgement, whilst also creating positive connections and conversation.   A massive thank you to the Impact100 WA donors, and congratulations Busselton Hospice Care Inc. and Transfolk WA, who were both recipients of a minor grant.

Last week, we headed to the Live & Connect event at The Y Hub, Leederville to support youth mental health.  A huge thank you to our volunteer legends for showing up, connecting with some awesome young people and sharing great conversations. Your energy made the day one to remember.

It’s Anti-Poverty Week, a reminder that poverty is closer to home than we think, and that small acts of kindness can have a big impact. At Short Back & Sidewalks, we see every day how something as simple as a free haircut and a friendly conversation can help someone feel valued, respected, and seen. Want to join our volunteer community or make a donation? Visit our website.

A big shoutout to the legends at Noranda Barbershop, for giving their time and skills to provide free haircuts and friendly chats for those doing it tough in their local neighbourhood. This is part of our partnership with Hawaiian, through our 'Neighbourhood Haircuts' program across twelve salons, in eight of their Perth shopping centres.  Thank you to all of the salons, service providers and Hawaiian shopping centres partnering with us to help create positive connections in our community, one haircut at a time.

We’re calling on hairdressers, barbers, braiders, and all-rounder volunteer legends to give just two hours of their time this Christmas. A short shift that will make a big difference this festive season. Join us for the 50th anniversary of Mission Australia Christmas Lunch in the Park event, and help us make a difference to people in the community doing it tough, with a fresh cut, dignity and connection.  When: Christmas Day, Thursday 25 December 2025 Time: 10am - 2pm (2-hour shifts available: 10am - 12pm and 12pm - 2pm) Where: Moort-ak Waadiny / Wellington Square, East Perth With over 1,500 people expected to attend, this event focuses on bringing hope, compassion, community and celebration to Perth's most marginalised and disadvantaged people this Christmas - through a shared lunch, companionship, entertainment and access to community support services.  To register as a volunteer visit our website here - https://lnkd.in/gVNWYDe

We’ve just launched our brand-new Volunteer Portal!  This portal includes a new induction and onboarding experience, designed to better support our volunteers and get them ready to step into their first service with us.  A huge thank you to Lotterywest for making this possible. If you're volunteering with us, let us know what you think!