A BARBER who spends her days off trimming the hair of former homeless people is a cut above the rest.

Paula Querino works at The Village Squire barbers, in Wivenhoe, and volunteers at Emmaus Colchester on her day off.

She is among 22 volunteers who give up their time for the charity that supports those who have formerly experienced homelessness.

Denise King, CEO at Emmaus Colchester, commended Paula during Volunteers’ Week, a national campaign which runs this week.

She said: “We’d like to say a big thank you to all of our volunteers who, like Paula, help to support our work.”

Paula has been cutting the companions’ hair since December when she spotted an advert on Facebook.

Paula said: “It could be any one of us affected by homelessness.

“When I first came to Emmaus, I was overwhelmed by the response and thoroughly enjoyed it, and that’s why I’ve continued.

“Although I cut people’s hair all day, I get particular pleasure out of cutting the companions’ hair, because I’m giving something back to the community, and making them look handsome.”

Before Paula joined Emmaus Colchester as a volunteer she had limited knowledge about the charity’s work.

She said: “I’d seen all the charity shops and my other half regularly shops in them, but until I started volunteering, I wasn’t aware of the full extent of how they help the companions.”

Paula’s commitment to Emmaus Colchester is not just through volunteering, she took part in the Colchester Half Marathon where, with the support of her customers at her Wivenhoe barbers, she raised £250 for the charity.

To find out more about volunteering at Emmaus Colchester, visit www.emmaus.org.uk/colchester/get_involved/volunteer.