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Greater Manchester hair salon welcomes Ukrainian refugee as new stylist
Inna had owned her own salon in Ukraine before the Russian invasion
A hair salon in Wigan has welcomed a Ukrainian refugee as its newest recruit.
Joanne Cottam, owner of Haus of Hair, set up a Facebook group especially for Ukrainian refugees relocating to Wigan, enabling them to meet up with and communicate with other Ukrainians in the area.
And when Joanne shared a job listing for a stylist at her salon into the group, she got in contact with Inna Hashynska, a hairdresser who had owned a salon back in her home country before she was forced to flee with her young son and her mother.
Her husband and father have stayed behind in Ukraine to defend their country.
Joanne felt that Inna was perfect for the role, so more more than happily offered her the job.
Announcing Inna’s arrival on the salon’s Facebook page, Joanne wrote: “This stylist has so much strength, determination and passion for hairdressing, that not even the heartache she is going through right now will stop her from picking up her comb and making you all look beautiful!
“I hope everyone will support Inna in salon to help her build her life again here in Wigan.”
Read More: Ukrainian kids are now receiving life-saving cancer treatment at Manchester Children’s Hospital
On the Facebook page, Inna herself wrote: “I had to leave everything behind to save mine, my son’s and my mother’s lives.
“In Ukraine I was a hairdresser for over ten years and owned a little salon but sadly I had to leave it and everything that was in it… I am happy to say, ‘thank you’ to Joanne, that I have the chance to rebuild my life and provide for my son here in the UK.”
Inna started at the salon on April 12th and has since settled in wonderfully.
Joanne told Wigan Today of her newest recruit: “Inna is so kind-hearted and her story broke my heart, I knew I needed to help.
“I can’t even begin to imagine how I would feel in her situation.
“She’s doing great, it’s amazing, to see the strength that she has. We’re getting by on Google Translate and the clients are so supportive of her.”