Meet the Sunderland barber making sure men in care home look and feel their best with free haircuts

Yildirim Karatas, owner of Istanbul Barbers in Houghton, has offered free services to the men at Primrose Care Home in Hetton.

As of Monday, October 28, Yildirim began giving free haircuts and shaves to the male residents at the home.

This is set to become a regular occurrence on one Monday each month.

Yildirim said: “I have helped disabled and elderly customers in the area for a long time. I have never charged them for their cuts and shaves.

“I decided that I want to travel to the customers from Primrose Care Home, who come to my barbers regularly, so that they don’t have to come all the way here. The haircuts and shaves will still be free for all of them on a monthly basis.

“In the future, I could possibly offer this service to other homes and services in the area.

Yildirim hopes to continue offering his free services for the foreseeable future.

He said: “I love helping people. It makes me feel happy and I can sleep better knowing my customers are happy.”

Yildirim often receives praise from his customers for his care in the community.

In the past, he has received letters from Hetton Home Care Services and Gateway North East thanking him for the support he has given.

He has now been thanked by Primrose Care Home for his latest good deed.

Kelly Gallimore, Manager of Primrose Care Home, said: “For a barber to offer this free service to the men within the home is so appreciated. It’s nice that he offered to do this and it’s great to make links within the community.

“Yildirim has been known to do a lot to help the local community and he continues to keep giving.

“The men at the home struggle to get outside with various mobility issues so he has really helped to ensure the men look their best at all times.”