Corby hair stylist thanks 'angels' for support getting back to business and back to her roots

A Corby hairdresser who started a support group for fellow stylists has said how much the shared experience has helped her as they waited for restrictions to be eased.

Owner of The Little House of Hair, Stacey Fotheringham, took on another job to make ends meet as she waited for cash from the government's Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.

Usually working from a salon at her home, the self-employed hairdresser found a job within two days of lockdown being announced - less than a week after temporarily closing her doors.

Stacey said: "I work alone and when lockdown hit I had so many questions and worries I didn’t really know who to talk to.

"When it all shut down, especially a week in, I felt I'm on my own but then I though it would be great to have a network where we could talk.

"I don’t work for anyone and I have no staff but I know a lot of hairdressers and salons in Corby so I decided to create a Facebook group for support, so we could help each other and work together through the uncertainty.

"I named us the Corby Hair Angels and I couldn’t have got through lockdown without them."

As soon as lockdown was looking likely, Stacey contacted her clients and told them that her salon would be closing temporarily, then took her CV round to businesses in Corby.

On the second day of her job search Stacey managed to get a job at Morrisons in Corby as a member of their check-out team and as a welcomer.

With an income secured, the support group became a way to keep in touch with the hairdressing world.

The group of 24 hair professionals were able to share their experiences of life how they were coping with life away from the salon.

Stacey said: "It’s been amazing all the way through we have made each other laugh and helped each other through tears.

"We have shared progress pictures of the salon renovations to make them covid safe and we have shared PPE and advice."

Stacey reopened her doors to clients on Saturday at 7.30am managing to fit in five customers for restyling and colour, with a 15-minute deep clean between each person.

She said: "I wear a visor and the client can wear a facemask which I provide. They santise their hands when they come in.

"The first day was overwhelming. I was worried about people's health. I got my most vulnerable, sheilding customers in first.

"I've had quite a few gifts of flowers and prosecco. Some customers paid in advance during the lockdown because they knew I wouldn't be earning.

"There have been a few home hairdressing mistakes that I have had to rectify - wonky fringes and shop-bought box dyes - but nothing I can't sort.

"On opening day, the Corby Hair Angels all wished each other luck and shared photos in our visors and at the end of the day shared congratulations for getting through the first day and moans of backache.

"It’s been fantastic to not be competitive and have a team of independents come together and be amazing."

Stacey will be working to fit in her clients as well as keeping her supermarket job.

She said: "I have throughly enjoyed working at Morrisons so much so I'm going to keep working there four hours a week.

"The job has helped me support my family. I'd like to thank Morrisons for giving me the job and allowing me to work my hours around my husband's.

"I really enjoyed it there but I’m now back to cutting hair instead of scanning food."

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