JOSH COOMBES: It’s like about directly impacting someone today and making someone smile,
that’s the idea.
JOSH COOMBES: I am Josh Coombes. I am founder of a movement called #DoSomethingForNothing.
I am a hairdresser and recently I have been going out on the streets to cut hair for those
who are homeless.
JADE STATT: My name is Jade Statt, I am a veterinary surgeon and I am one of the directors
of Street Vet Limited, which is a service where vets and vet nurses go out on the street
and offer their services to help the homeless.
MAN: 2 years. JOSH COOMBES: So last time you got your hair
cut was 2 years ago?
JOSH COOMBES: Do Something For Nothing was born in 2015. This was when I started going
out on the street with my scissors to cut hair for people who need it. I didn’t want
it to just be about me and cutting hair. So, I came up with the hashtag (#) and I always
wanted other people to get involved.
JOSH COOMBES: It’s about direct impact and it’s incredible to see the ways it has taken
off and how other people like Jade have now got involved.
JADE STATT: Well, I just felt really frustrated because I met a dog one night. That was kind
of what started it. It had really bad skin and I went up and chatted, I always chat to
the owners and their dogs and he said that it really needed treatment but he didn’t
know how to get the treatment and I was just like, ‘I can help you.’
JOSH COOMBES: So, we are going to try and head out today and have a look down towards
Shoreditch and see what we can see and it’s quite spontaneous really, like, you never
know who you are going to meet. JADE STATT: Really unpredictable.
JOSH COOMBES: Yeah.
JOSH COOMBES: We are doing this thing mate; we have got a project called Do Something For Nothing.
JADE STATT: A lot of the dogs maybe have not seen a vet in quite a long time either because
they are not aware of where to go or just it’s quite difficult for them to access
us. So, yeah, I will do a general health-check. I will cut their nails, clean their ears,
give them worming, free treatment. If they have got a specific problem, I do have some
antibiotics, pain relief with me as well.
JOSH COOMBES: Now she has created her own, like, revolution in the vet world, you know.
I mean there are so many vets now in the UK who are contacting her to say, ‘Hey, how
can I get hold of this and do something with it myself?’
JOSH COOMBES: The list of why somebody is homeless is as long as your arm. You do think
about your life and someone else’s and you do, kind of, cross them together sometimes.
You think, ‘Well, yeah we all make mistakes,’ you know. Like I have made mistakes in my
life. Like, it’s things I have done that I am not that proud of but I have had someone
to rely on me and to fall back on. JADE STATT: Yeah.
JOSH COOMBES: Isolation is huge with this.
JOSH COOMBES: For me I really believe in telling people about it. I really believe in the stories
of the people because you never know who you are going to inspire. Because out of a 100
people who like a photo or 1000 people who see a video, you don’t know which one of
those is going to go, ‘Actually, I feel like this is for me too and I feel like maybe
I can do something in my community.’ And that’s what it is about and it’s great
to keep in touch with people and give someone a first or second, third haircut and I have
done that in London a lot with different people.
JOSH COOMBES: Do you think it needs a bit of a shake-up the way people see homelessness?
MAN: Yeah, yeah. I don’t think people should be enabling people to use drugs by, you know,
giving them 20 quid at cash points just because they can. Because they can take that
20 quid, go inject it and overdose. If you want to do something for a homeless person
on the street - give them an act of kindness.
JOSH COOMBES: And I hear that a lot mate, I hear actually just, just stop and talk to
someone, right. Just stop and just see how someone is doing, try and build some community,
some friendship. I think that’s really, really important. Isn’t it mate? What is
like to, kind of be right in the midst of drugs and addiction?
MAN: Well the addicted part of your mind is telling you that you ain’t worth it.
JOSH COOMBES: So, there is a constant voice always telling you that you are not good enough.
MAN: Yeah, yeah.
JOSH COOMBES: You know you don’t have to solve every one of their problems, you can
just say hello and smile and recognise that whatever situation they are in, they are a person.
JOSH COOMBES: So, do you think people on the street have potential…
MAN: Yes, they are all practicing and making. JOSH COOMBES: Do you think people on the street
have more potential than people give them credit for?
MAN: Yes. Oh, yes.
JOSH COOMBES: There you go mate! Take a look at that.
JOSH COOMBES: It’s nice huh? Faded up the sides, in to the top.
MAN: Yeah, that’s how I like it.
JOSH COOMBES: Cool.
JOSH COOMBES: Nice one mate. MAN: Thanks mate, thank you!
JOSH COOMBES: It’s really about connecting with people. It’s about what you get in
return, like, I am the happiest I have been doing this and it’s okay to recognise that
and I believe like you would probably say the same.
JADE STATT: Yeah. JOSH COOMBES: It’s about what fulfils you,
you know. JADE STATT: Yeah, definitely the most fulfilling
part of my career to date is starting doing what I am doing now as a street vet.