Toowoomba’s Rachel Glover launches Ginger’s Mobile Barber Services to reach lonely, disabled and elderly men

Rachel Glover witnessed the isolation some elderly and disabled men face in Toowoomba. Now she’s decided to do something about it in the form of a travelling barber shop.

Some of the men that barber Rachel Glover meets with haven’t had a haircut in years.

“One client had not had one for three years, because of sensory issues — another young lad has disabilities and had never had a proper haircut,” the Toowoomba woman said.

Combating male loneliness and isolation was partially behind Ms Glover’s decision to quit aged care and launch her own mobile barbering service just a few months ago.

Having worked with the elderly and people with disabilities for more than a decade, she became aware of how many men were unable to leave the house to get their hair cut – either for physical or social reasons.

Rachel Glover is reaching people who are often isolated and lonely with her business Ginger's Mobile Barber Service. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“While I was working in aged care it was one of the things I loved, talking to people and learning about their lives, and leaving them feeling better,” Ms Glover said.

“I was asked a few times (while in aged care) to cut people’s hair and I thought if I do this I can go mobile and make it a business.

“(Elderly or disabled) men are often so lonely and isolated, and if it’s one person being able to come in and give them a nice cut and a chat (I can do that).

“I love giving to people, I love making them feel good and that makes me feel good.”

That idea turned into Ginger’s Mobile Barber Services, which Ms Glover has now grown to a five day a week operation.

Along with the actual cut, Ms Glover said she wanted to reach out to people who didn’t have the means to leave their home.

“I’ve been up to Baillie Henderson to do cuts there, I also have two adult men with disabilities who can’t get out of their houses easily,” she said.

“There have been a couple of cases when I do go in and we have a conversation, you can tell they’re able to open up and talk about themselves and what’s happening with them.”

Ms Glover offers cuts, skin fades, beard trims and shaves.

For more information, head to her website.

Rachel Glover is reaching people who are often isolated and lonely with her business Ginger's Mobile Barber Services, Wednesday, December 7, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer