Hello friends and strangers!

My name is Leith, and I want to become a barber. I've had to drop out of university due to an ongoing battle with mental illness and disability and now I'm trying to get a job I can rely on. I've just had my PIP benefit denied for the second time and I'm beginning to realise that I can not rely on welfare in this country anymore. I need to get into work.

Getting into the workplace can be difficult, even more so with a disability. The kind of job that works for me is client based, creative and practical, as well as being able to accommodate for my mobility and pain issues. I think that barbering would suit me down to the ground.

My first ever proper barber cut made me feel so confident in myself, like I could take on the world. I want to help other people feel like that! This is something I've wanted to do for a long time and I want to grab this opportunity while I'm still well enough to work.

The course I want to go on is a nine week course with the Gents of London Academy in Cardiff. This will give my the qualifications I need to start working, and provides a work environment appropriate for my accessible needs as a disabled person.

I'm asking you guys to help me out as I am currently unemployed and have had my disability benefits taken away. I need to get a job but with no degrees and little experience an intensive course feels like the only option. I want to keep living independently but if I don't get a job this year I may not be able to.

Any tiny donation would help or just sharing this with friends! a donation today is a haircut or wet shave for tomorrow. With these skills I not only plan to thrive in employment I will also be able to take my tools and knowledge anywhere.

Thank you for reading, Leith.