Do Something for Nothing
(Author and founder of Do Something for Nothing)
Joshua Coombes is a British hairstylist and founder of #DoSomethingForNothing – a social media movement that encourages and inspires people to connect their skills and time to those who need it.
From humble beginnings in 2015, Joshua’s desire, quite simply, was to positively impact people’s lives by offering free haircuts on the streets of London to those experiencing homelessness in the capital. By posting transformative images on Instagram, his platform continues to grow as he amplifies stories that often go unheard. His mission caught the attention of media outlets in Europe and has rippled worldwide. Coverage includes appearing in National Geographic’s new series ‘The Story of Us’ with Morgan Freeman released on Netflix internationally.
Joshua has recently written a book that has been published in the U.K, America, and Australia. Through the simple act of a haircut, readers are taken on a geographical and emotional journey into the lives of people experiencing homelessness in different cities across the world. Featuring never-before-seen photographs and all-new writing, Do Something for Nothing explores themes of love, acceptance, shame, and perseverance while inviting us to see ourselves in one another and dissolve the negative stigmas surrounding homelessness. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds from this book will be donated to organizations dedicated to assisting unsheltered people. There is the opportunity for Joshua to bring copies of the book when visiting schools to give his presentation.
Today, Joshua continues his efforts, cutting hair on the streets and collaborating with artists to curate multi-media exhibitions and share a unified message of empathy. Joshua gives talks internationally to provide intimate insights and experiences to inspire others to become active, and how powerful a simple act of kindness can be.
“Coombes is a hairdresser, and he believes that small acts of love can make a big impact.” – Morgan Freeman, actor
“Joshua’s stories show the power that empathy and compassion have to turn a common, everyday act into something transformative. They are the revelations of connection.” – Michael Sheen, actor, and activist
“A simple, big-hearted, and world-shaking idea.” – Nick Cave, singer, songwriter
