Volunteers visit elderly residents who cannot leave home for haircuts and wellness checks
Jongno-gu partners with Junghwa University of Art's service club and the Korea Beauty Welfare Association to deliver care at the doorstep
Jongno-gu has launched a home-visit hair care program for low-income and mobility-impaired residents who cannot easily leave their homes, drawing warm praise from the community. The initiative, called the "Ansim Jongno Daily Life Care Project (Hair and Beauty Service)," sends trained volunteers directly to the homes of vulnerable residents.
The district kicked off the service June 22, going door to door at households of underserved residents in the area. The program targets people who have stopped visiting salons because of physical limitations or distance. Its launch was seen as especially meaningful as a product of public-private cooperation between the district, a local university and a professional organization.
In Gyonam-dong, the "Midream" beauty volunteer club of Junghwa University of Art — made up of current students, alumni and a faculty adviser — provided pro bono services. Seniors who received haircuts from the club smiled broadly and expressed their gratitude.
In Buam-dong, the Korea Beauty Welfare Association, which has a formal agreement with the district, visited eligible households. The association's members hold not only cosmetology licenses but also welfare qualifications such as care worker certifications, allowing them to tend to both the physical and emotional needs of frail residents and earn their trust.
Many of those who received care had gone without a proper haircut for some time, struggling not only with physical discomfort but also with diminished self-esteem and hygiene concerns. One elderly resident who received a haircut said, "My body isn't well, so visiting a salon was out of the question — every time I looked in the mirror, my spirits sank. Having someone come to my home and take such care made me feel 10 years younger. It wasn't just my hair that felt refreshed — my whole heart did too."
Jung Mun-heon, the district mayor, said the service goes beyond simple grooming. "This is a stepping stone to improving the hygiene of isolated neighbors and bringing vitality back to their daily lives," he said. "We will consistently expand the pool of service providers so that timely, comprehensive welfare reaches residents who need it most."
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