Care Home Residents’ Help is a Cut Above for ‘Wonderful’ Laura

Residents at a Winchester dementia care home gave some hands-on help as a long-haired staff member lost 34cm of her auburn locks for charity.

It was the fifth time that Laura Sheldrake, Companionship Team Leader at Colten Care’s St Catherines View, has had a sponsored haircut for good causes.

On hand to offer help with the scissors were residents Valerie Woodall and Barbara Evans, professional hairdresser Olena Braharenko and Home Manager Vanda Baker.

To start the proceedings, Olena sectioned Laura’s hair into four equal ponytails ready for the cut.

First up was resident Valerie who, with the help of Olena, managed to cut the initial one, followed by Vanda, again with Valerie’s direction.

Eyeing the second ponytail, Valerie said: “I wish I had this hair.”

Laura said: “She then held it up against her head and pretended to have long auburn hair. She was full of smiles and started to reminisce about the hair she had when she was younger. Barbara looked on as she was too worried she would make a mistake, instead offering me the encouraging words, ‘You are doing great, it looks really good’. It was such a joy to have Valerie and Barbara helping me on the day.”

After the ponytails were cut, Olena tided up the loose ends giving Laura a short, stylish look as chosen by staff and residents in the home.

Laura is giving her cut hair to the Little Princess Trust, a charity that uses hair donations to make wigs for children and young adults going through hair loss due to various medical conditions.

She also received some cash donations which will be put towards St Catherines View’s charity of the year, the older people’s support organisation St John’s Winchester.

Valerie said afterwards: “I think what Laura did is fantastic, and for two great charities. She is a wonderful person. I thank her for letting me help her.”

Laura said: “This was my fifth time donating hair. We all take it for granted and as my hair is so thick and grows so quick I want to be able to do something for others. At the end of the day, hair grows back but for those suffering with medical conditions that is not always the case.”