Clothes and cuts available at CBD pop-up

Access to new clothes and free haircuts are available for those doing it tough at a Bourke St pop-up in mid-June.

The community hub, which also offers access to computers, laundry facilities and healthcare workers, has operated for one Wednesday a month in April and May, with the final date set for June 14.

A joint initiative from community health provider cohealth and the City of Melbourne’s social enterprise Micro-Labs, the pop-up is designed for people experiencing homelessness, drug dependence or other disadvantage in the CBD.

Not-for-profit group Thread Together were set to provide excess stock from some of Australia’s largest fashion retailers.

Cohealth recreation and inclusion worker Ronnie Basa said loneliness and isolation were common among people experiencing homelessness or drug dependence, and providing both practical and emotional support was crucial.

“Recreation and social inclusion is so important for people who are homeless,” he said.

“Cohealth works with people from this community to find out what activities they want and need, and then designs services that reflect their needs.”

Lord Mayor Sally Capp added: “Everyone deserves a space to feel safe and welcomed, and this new pop-up offers our most vulnerable community members exactly that.” 

The final cohealth community hub pop-up day will take place on Wednesday, June 14 at 227-229 Bourke St (opposite Kmart), between 11am and 3pm.

Caption: Community health provider cohealth are offering free haircuts, health appointments and new threads for vulnerable people in the CBD.