A hair and beauty salon is to offer free makeovers to young carers as part of its support for a Dorset charity.

HNB Salon in Canford Cliffs, Poole, has adopted MYTIME Young Carers as its charity partner.

The salon will not only seek to raise funds and awareness but also pamper MYTIME’s Employability Programme graduates, helping them look and feel ready for the working world.

It will donate free makeovers and haircuts for young carers successfully completing the programme which aims to support them into further education, training or employment.

The programme includes CV writing workshops, interview skills sessions and 1:1 mentoring opportunities.

Around half of young carers, aged between 18 and 25, are thought to be currently unemployed.

Penny Day, MYTIME’s Director of Fundraising and Communications, said: “Young carers develop so many valuable life skills from a very early age, including organisation, compassion and resilience.

“These are all qualities that employers value, but young carers don’t always recognise how much they have to offer in the workplace.

“Our Employability Programme is all about building confidence, so we’re delighted to now be able to offer all graduates a luxury makeover at the end of the course.

“These makeovers will serve as a celebratory treat for the young carers who work hard to graduate our Employability Programme, and will provide a much-needed break away from caring responsibilities.

“They’ll also really help to boost self-esteem, which is so key when entering the world of work.

“It’s an incredibly generous gesture by HNB and we’re very grateful for their support.”

Steph Stevenson, Founder and Owner of HNB Salon – known to passers-by for its resident Concierge Michael Seviour, pictured – said: “In my experience, pamper sessions can give people a huge confidence boost, which is very important for job interviews.

“The more confident you feel, the better you will present yourself.

“A huge part of what we do at the salon is to give people that little boost that they need to feel like a million bucks.

“We really love the amazing work MYTIME does in our local area, supporting young carers through school and into employment.

“We’re thrilled to be helping young carers in the best way we know how – with self-esteem boosting pamper sessions and relaxing treatments.”

• mytimeyoungcarers.org