2014 shaping futures team volunteer in india

The 2014 Shaping Futures team have returned from India, where they have been training disadvantaged young people the art of hairdressing as part of Schwarzkopf Professional's Shaping Futures initiative. The programme, launched in 2010 by Schwarzkopf Professional in cooperation with SOS Children's Villages, supports underprivileged young people in developing countries by enabling them to learn the skills needed to kick start a career in hairdressing. This year saw the team spend three weeks in Kolkata, India training students in shampooing, conditioning, root retouching and various forms of cutting, colour theory and blow-drying. At the end of the training period, a finale hairdressing show gave all 22 students the opportunity to showcase their new skills to prospective employers from within the industry. Shaping Futures ambassador, Janet Maitland was joined on this occasion by Mel Tudor from En Route Hair and Beauty; Nicole Parkes from Wish Hairdressing; Margarita Halamenda from Rizzo; Sara-Jane McBride from John Gillespie; Sarah Franklin from The Hair Shop and Anthony McMeiken and Sarah Brown from Janet Maitland Hair Excellence. Mel Tudor commented: "Teaching a vocational trade is so important in India as there is a massive divide between the rich and poor; whatever happens to these children in the future they can always earn some money and make a career using the skills we have taught them. I feel incredibly fortunate and privileged to help these young people and the work that Schwarzkopf Professional do out there is brilliant."

• Shaping Futures has just been given official charity status. Additionally they have a brand new Justgiving page where donations can now be made; text SHAP37 to 70070 or donate online at www.justgiving.com/shapingfutures.