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Do Something for Nothing
Through the simple act of a haircut, readers are taken on a geographical and emotional journey into the lives of humans experiencing homelessness in different cities across the world.
“In this uplifting book, Coombes deftly illustrates how reaching out and listening can break down barriers in an often indifferent world.” —Booklist Online
“Joshua’s stories show the power that empathy and compassion have to turn a common, everyday act into something transformative. They are the revelations of connection.” —Michael Sheen, actor and activist
When you're on the fringes of society, being noticed can mean everything.
In 2015, while working at a London hair salon, Joshua Coombes took to the streets with his scissors to build relationships with people sleeping rough in the capital. This inspired him to begin posting transformative images on social media to amplify their voices. These stories resonated and thousands of people got involved in their own way. #DoSomethingForNothing was born--a movement that encourages people to connect their skills and time to those who need it. Via the simple act of a haircut, readers are taken on a geographical and emotional journey into the lives of humans experiencing homelessness in different cities across the world.
Featuring never-before-seen photographs and all-new writing, Do Something for Nothing explores themes of love, acceptance, shame, and perseverance, while inviting us to see ourselves in one another and dissolve the negative stigmas surrounding homelessness. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds from this book will be donated to organizations dedicated to assisting unsheltered people.
“In this uplifting book, Coombes deftly illustrates how reaching out and listening can break down barriers in an often indifferent world.” —Booklist Online
“Joshua’s stories show the power that empathy and compassion have to turn a common, everyday act into something transformative. They are the revelations of connection.” —Michael Sheen, actor and activist
When you're on the fringes of society, being noticed can mean everything.
In 2015, while working at a London hair salon, Joshua Coombes took to the streets with his scissors to build relationships with people sleeping rough in the capital. This inspired him to begin posting transformative images on social media to amplify their voices. These stories resonated and thousands of people got involved in their own way. #DoSomethingForNothing was born--a movement that encourages people to connect their skills and time to those who need it. Via the simple act of a haircut, readers are taken on a geographical and emotional journey into the lives of humans experiencing homelessness in different cities across the world.
Featuring never-before-seen photographs and all-new writing, Do Something for Nothing explores themes of love, acceptance, shame, and perseverance, while inviting us to see ourselves in one another and dissolve the negative stigmas surrounding homelessness. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds from this book will be donated to organizations dedicated to assisting unsheltered people.
231 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 18, 2021
13 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
Joshua Coombes
2 books3 followersJOSHUA COOMBES is a British hairstylist and founder of #DoSomethingForNothing—a movement encouraging people to connect their skills and time to those who need it. When Coombes launched the project in 2015, his intention was to positively impact people’s lives by offering free haircuts to those experiencing homelessness. By posting transformative images on Instagram, his platform continues to grow as he amplifies the stories of many that go unheard. Coombes’s mission caught the attention of media outlets in Europe and has rippled worldwide. Coverage includes appearing in National Geographic’s new series The Story of Us with Morgan Freeman, released on Netflix internationally. Today, Coombes continues his efforts in new countries, humanizing this issue globally.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
December 30, 2021
I appreciated that Joshua kept to the stories about the homeless people he encountered and told us very little about himself. These stories were inspiring and heartfelt, showing a side of society that we very often ignore, when clearly we shouldn’t. Thank you, Joshua, for bringing these stories, these people, to light.
May 10, 2021
Do Something for Nothing: Seeing Beneath the Surface of Homelessness, through the Simple Act of a Haircut; Author, Joshua Coombes
A few years ago, the author found his calling. Placing his barber kit in his backpack, he hit the road. Since 2015, he has traveled across America, Europe, India and Australia, always engaging homeless people in conversations and offering them free haircuts. Most are surprised, a bit overwhelmed, but only too happy to submit to his scissors.
The men and women are often filthy, lice-ridden, and ashamed of their ragged clothing, but when he connects with them, they often tell him their stories They are eager to have their voices heard. So, he doesn’t just give them a haircut, he communicates with them, spends time with them, and often shares a cup of coffee with them. Whenever possible, he offers help that he can provide, but mostly, he just listens to them. Most need a friend, even briefly. He treats them with respect.
Joshua, the author, never cared for school and marches to the beat of his own drummer, so he understands the pain, the needs and the quirks of the homeless people he meets. Sometimes they just want to be seen, something that Ibram X. Kendi complains about in his book, “How To Be An Anti-Racist”, which although it is on a different subject, his comment is relevant here. The homeless are just like everyone else, they are lonely, sometimes scared, sometimes preyed upon. We ignore them, treat them as if they are invisible, as if they are simply shadows we can dismiss. Many, however, have fallen on hard times and never dreamed they would be on the street. Most are not there by choice, although some prefer to have no encumbrances, and some are addicts or alcoholics. Each has an individual story to explain their plight. A reader will be hard-pressed to dismiss their stories.
The author realizes that we often ignore the reasons that these people are on the street, always attributing it to their own poor choices, and by doing that, we are embracing and excusing our own rejection of them. Some of the people on the street are beyond our help, but that does not justify our apathy. One woman described her inability to earn money during the Pandemic. Begging is not a job, but to her, it was. One man broke down completely after his wife’s death and lost his job. Another got angry about his employer’s abuse and quit his job before getting another. One had epilepsy. Sometimes events just piled up and there was no way out for them. Once homeless, how does one keep clean, provide a contact for an employer, even apply for work or use a bathroom without support from someone or some agency?
Many have learned to work the system, but none are living well. Are we all not just a hair’s breadth away from being in the same position? Some of those living on the street are actually unemployable, some are unable to navigate the system, some are runaways, and some are substance abusers, but there are also those that are simply victims of circumstance, of hard luck or illness, a tragedy or emotional breakdown, a fire, an eviction, a work problem, an unforgiving employer or intolerant landlord, and some may just really want to be on the street, but all deserve some recognition of their existence and are deserving of some respect. So, if you went into this book with a hard heart, know that you will come out of it changed. These are not invisible people, they are real, living, breathing souls worthy of our concern. How we choose to support them is moot. We should support those in our society who can’t make it alone, no matter what their reason.
Joshua Coombes is a fine example of courage and compassion. He threw caution to the wind and attended to the needs of these people, sometimes filthy, sometimes resistant, sometimes really needy. He brought dry shampoo with him so they could feel and look clean. He wasn’t afraid to get near them and to catch whatever they might be harboring. He brought each one a bit of happiness, even if he didn’t change their lives, he did help to change some part of it. He brought them a day filled with unexpected pleasure.
Joshua will donate all of the profits from this book to charities that are created with the purpose of telling the world about these victims of homelessness, of giving them a voice, so they are visible and viable, hopefully to encourage programs to give these people the second chance in life they truly need, to inspire people to stop walking by them as if they are invisible, so they can come out of the shadows where they hide to seek some privacy and to escape the rejection. He refers to them as “unsheltered” which is so much nicer sounding than homeless, but just as devastating for individuals, couples and families.
A few years ago, the author found his calling. Placing his barber kit in his backpack, he hit the road. Since 2015, he has traveled across America, Europe, India and Australia, always engaging homeless people in conversations and offering them free haircuts. Most are surprised, a bit overwhelmed, but only too happy to submit to his scissors.
The men and women are often filthy, lice-ridden, and ashamed of their ragged clothing, but when he connects with them, they often tell him their stories They are eager to have their voices heard. So, he doesn’t just give them a haircut, he communicates with them, spends time with them, and often shares a cup of coffee with them. Whenever possible, he offers help that he can provide, but mostly, he just listens to them. Most need a friend, even briefly. He treats them with respect.
Joshua, the author, never cared for school and marches to the beat of his own drummer, so he understands the pain, the needs and the quirks of the homeless people he meets. Sometimes they just want to be seen, something that Ibram X. Kendi complains about in his book, “How To Be An Anti-Racist”, which although it is on a different subject, his comment is relevant here. The homeless are just like everyone else, they are lonely, sometimes scared, sometimes preyed upon. We ignore them, treat them as if they are invisible, as if they are simply shadows we can dismiss. Many, however, have fallen on hard times and never dreamed they would be on the street. Most are not there by choice, although some prefer to have no encumbrances, and some are addicts or alcoholics. Each has an individual story to explain their plight. A reader will be hard-pressed to dismiss their stories.
The author realizes that we often ignore the reasons that these people are on the street, always attributing it to their own poor choices, and by doing that, we are embracing and excusing our own rejection of them. Some of the people on the street are beyond our help, but that does not justify our apathy. One woman described her inability to earn money during the Pandemic. Begging is not a job, but to her, it was. One man broke down completely after his wife’s death and lost his job. Another got angry about his employer’s abuse and quit his job before getting another. One had epilepsy. Sometimes events just piled up and there was no way out for them. Once homeless, how does one keep clean, provide a contact for an employer, even apply for work or use a bathroom without support from someone or some agency?
Many have learned to work the system, but none are living well. Are we all not just a hair’s breadth away from being in the same position? Some of those living on the street are actually unemployable, some are unable to navigate the system, some are runaways, and some are substance abusers, but there are also those that are simply victims of circumstance, of hard luck or illness, a tragedy or emotional breakdown, a fire, an eviction, a work problem, an unforgiving employer or intolerant landlord, and some may just really want to be on the street, but all deserve some recognition of their existence and are deserving of some respect. So, if you went into this book with a hard heart, know that you will come out of it changed. These are not invisible people, they are real, living, breathing souls worthy of our concern. How we choose to support them is moot. We should support those in our society who can’t make it alone, no matter what their reason.
Joshua Coombes is a fine example of courage and compassion. He threw caution to the wind and attended to the needs of these people, sometimes filthy, sometimes resistant, sometimes really needy. He brought dry shampoo with him so they could feel and look clean. He wasn’t afraid to get near them and to catch whatever they might be harboring. He brought each one a bit of happiness, even if he didn’t change their lives, he did help to change some part of it. He brought them a day filled with unexpected pleasure.
Joshua will donate all of the profits from this book to charities that are created with the purpose of telling the world about these victims of homelessness, of giving them a voice, so they are visible and viable, hopefully to encourage programs to give these people the second chance in life they truly need, to inspire people to stop walking by them as if they are invisible, so they can come out of the shadows where they hide to seek some privacy and to escape the rejection. He refers to them as “unsheltered” which is so much nicer sounding than homeless, but just as devastating for individuals, couples and families.
April 25, 2021
thanks to netgalley and the publishers for a free copy in return for an open and honest review
Found this book very interesting as a hairdresser who gives homeless people haircuts and we learn about their life and how after the cut they feel more humane and the photos before and after
Found this book very interesting as a hairdresser who gives homeless people haircuts and we learn about their life and how after the cut they feel more humane and the photos before and after
March 3, 2023
Heartwarming and heartbreaking stories of people all over the world who deserve more than the situation they’re in. The simple act of a hair cut and a conversation makes a difference.
August 22, 2021
I tried to read this slowly but I was just sucked in to all the stories: homelessness across place and time. I’m inspired to figure out my contribution to #dosomethingfornothing
Read
May 20, 2021Joshua Coombes' new book, Do Something for Nothing: Seeing Beneath the Surface of Homelessness through the Simple Act of a Haircut, has just released.
Preconceptions. We're all guilty of it to some degree I think. I've worked in a setting where I did serve the downtrodden, the poor, the mentally ill and the homeless. The best tools I used were common courtesies - looking at someone directly, saying hello with a smile. "When you’re on the fringes of society, being noticed can mean everything."
Joshua Coombes had some additional tools in his backpack - his hairstyling tools. He has travelled across many countries, seeking out the homeless and offering them a haircut, a conversation, a chance to be seen and heard - and friendship. This simple gesture has become - #DoSomethingForNothing -a movement that encourages people to connect their skills and time to those who need it.
In the book, we see a 'before' picture of someone living rough and then we meet the person, hear their story, their hopes, regrets, love, loss, joy and more. And at the end of the essay, a second photo with the haircut. The smiles at seeing such a change are priceless. Such a simple gesture boosts someone's mood, what they think of themselves - and what society thinks of them. And while the haircuts are of value, it is Coombes' interest, caring and friendship that are of greater value.
Hopefully, you can take inspiration from Coombes and this book to really 'see' someone, to hear them, to question what you could do for nothing... whatever that might be.
Preconceptions. We're all guilty of it to some degree I think. I've worked in a setting where I did serve the downtrodden, the poor, the mentally ill and the homeless. The best tools I used were common courtesies - looking at someone directly, saying hello with a smile. "When you’re on the fringes of society, being noticed can mean everything."
Joshua Coombes had some additional tools in his backpack - his hairstyling tools. He has travelled across many countries, seeking out the homeless and offering them a haircut, a conversation, a chance to be seen and heard - and friendship. This simple gesture has become - #DoSomethingForNothing -a movement that encourages people to connect their skills and time to those who need it.
In the book, we see a 'before' picture of someone living rough and then we meet the person, hear their story, their hopes, regrets, love, loss, joy and more. And at the end of the essay, a second photo with the haircut. The smiles at seeing such a change are priceless. Such a simple gesture boosts someone's mood, what they think of themselves - and what society thinks of them. And while the haircuts are of value, it is Coombes' interest, caring and friendship that are of greater value.
Hopefully, you can take inspiration from Coombes and this book to really 'see' someone, to hear them, to question what you could do for nothing... whatever that might be.
June 3, 2021
This is fantastic collection of stories of homeless peoples lives. So he travels all round the world cutting homeless peoples hair and like any good hairdresser is able to get them to talk to him and tell him their background stories - how they got to where there are and how they are managing etc. The pictures of before and after are brilliant as well. This is a real human book and would reccomemend everyone read it !
May 3, 2021
This book drew me in with its cover and I was totally taken by the stories told by Joshua Coombe about his travels and his encounters with homeless people in cities around the world.
This book is wonderful- we can all learn so much from these experiences.
This book is wonderful- we can all learn so much from these experiences.
August 24, 2024
This is a really lovely book humanising those on the streets who become invisible to us. Joshua tells simple stories of the homeless people he meets and beautifully centers them to the book. His selfless act of giving free haircuts is how it all started but he doesn't make it the focus of the storytelling which is so remarkably humbling. I don't know if it's a must-read, but if you want to gift someone something, this would be a really good one.
June 23, 2021
I absolutely love this book!
Having worked with homeless people before and knowing how much of an impact an act of simple kindness can make this book was heartwarming and joyous. At the same time, this book touched on one of the most prevalent issues faced by the world today, and acknowledges how many people it can affect and how easily.
I would recommend this book to everyone, broaden your horizons and learn about one of the most striking issues in the world today, and how much a simple positive thought can bring to a persons day.
Having worked with homeless people before and knowing how much of an impact an act of simple kindness can make this book was heartwarming and joyous. At the same time, this book touched on one of the most prevalent issues faced by the world today, and acknowledges how many people it can affect and how easily.
I would recommend this book to everyone, broaden your horizons and learn about one of the most striking issues in the world today, and how much a simple positive thought can bring to a persons day.
July 2, 2021
A wonderful, heart warming book. Compels you to look at homelessness in a different way. Just a smile or a hello is all he asks although he, himself, did much more by offering hair cuts to homeless people. The difference he made was obvious in their smiles when they looked at themselves in the mirror after the haircut. Not a long read but one worth every minute.
January 8, 2022
Inspiring!
April 28, 2021
Joshua Coombes was working in a London hair salon when he took his hairstyling equipment and decided to give hair cuts to the homeless. He took pictures of them before and after the haircuts. He wanted to help so he used his hair cutting skills. Often, the new hair cut cheered up the men and women he met and some were even more able to find work with their neater appearance.
During the haircuts, they had conversations about losing their spouse of many years and not being able to cope with the grief, of leaving home at a very young age to escape bad family situations, of their house burning down. In many stories, some were devastated and did not know how to get out of their situation, a few were upbeat, learning how to get better living conditions, like saving to buy a tent via trading objects or labor.
The worst is being so cold that you could not sleep, having your few belongings stolen, some were alcoholics and others dependent on hard drugs. The best was having someone answer back about how their day was going, to have someone listen to them with care and talk to them.
The author wants everyone to know what life is like for homeless and give back in some way. Use what you have to make someone's life better.
I received an Advance Review copy of thiJoshua Coombes was working in a London hair salon when he took his hairstyling equipment and decided to give hair cuts to the homeless. He took pictures of them before and after the haircuts. He wanted to help so he used his hair cutting skills. Often, the new hair cut cheered up the men and women he met and some were even more able to find work with their neater appearance.
During the haircuts, they had conversations about losing their spouse of many years and not being able to cope with the grief, of leaving home at a very young age to escape bad family situations, of their house burning down. In many stories, some were devastated and did not know how to get out of their situation, a few were upbeat, learning how to get better living conditions, like saving to buy a tent via trading objects or labor.
The worst is being so cold that you could not sleep, having your few belongings stolen, some were alcoholics and others dependent on hard drugs. The best was having someone answer back about how their day was going, to have someone listen to them with care and talk to them.
The author wants everyone to know what life is like for homeless and give back in some way. Use what you have to make someone's life better.
I received an Advance Review copy of this book from the publishers as a win in a LibraryThing contest. My thoughts and feelings in this review are entirely my own.
During the haircuts, they had conversations about losing their spouse of many years and not being able to cope with the grief, of leaving home at a very young age to escape bad family situations, of their house burning down. In many stories, some were devastated and did not know how to get out of their situation, a few were upbeat, learning how to get better living conditions, like saving to buy a tent via trading objects or labor.
The worst is being so cold that you could not sleep, having your few belongings stolen, some were alcoholics and others dependent on hard drugs. The best was having someone answer back about how their day was going, to have someone listen to them with care and talk to them.
The author wants everyone to know what life is like for homeless and give back in some way. Use what you have to make someone's life better.
I received an Advance Review copy of thiJoshua Coombes was working in a London hair salon when he took his hairstyling equipment and decided to give hair cuts to the homeless. He took pictures of them before and after the haircuts. He wanted to help so he used his hair cutting skills. Often, the new hair cut cheered up the men and women he met and some were even more able to find work with their neater appearance.
During the haircuts, they had conversations about losing their spouse of many years and not being able to cope with the grief, of leaving home at a very young age to escape bad family situations, of their house burning down. In many stories, some were devastated and did not know how to get out of their situation, a few were upbeat, learning how to get better living conditions, like saving to buy a tent via trading objects or labor.
The worst is being so cold that you could not sleep, having your few belongings stolen, some were alcoholics and others dependent on hard drugs. The best was having someone answer back about how their day was going, to have someone listen to them with care and talk to them.
The author wants everyone to know what life is like for homeless and give back in some way. Use what you have to make someone's life better.
I received an Advance Review copy of this book from the publishers as a win in a LibraryThing contest. My thoughts and feelings in this review are entirely my own.
June 2, 2021
When Joshua Coombes stopped to chat to a homeless man on a street in London in 2015, he never imagined that it would lead to a whole lifestyle change & a movement that has spread worldwide. Joshua was a hairdresser & had his tools in his backpack. When he offered the man a haircut, he did so much more: he showed that he cared, that he had time for them. He offered a “normal” conversation, a chance to be seen & heard. This simple gesture became #DoSomethingForNothing - a movement that encourages people to use their skills and give their time to those who need it. He acknowledges that a simple haircut is not going to solve anyone’s problems or solve homelessness, but the very act of listening has made a huge difference.
Joshua began posting images on social media to amplify the voices that are so often unheard, and has since travelled all over the world to raise the awareness of homeless people and find ways to have their voices heard, often partnering with artists, and this book shares glimpses of his experiences in London, and other cities across the world.
I really liked the way that each chapter was the story of just one person (or in a handful of cases a couple or family) and told their story in a way that really brought out their personality, their uniqueness, and also had the photo of that person before & after their haircut. The pictures were sensitive – they were about the person not their clothes/location/background or anything else.
Overall, this is one of those books that you should read – it makes you see “homeless people” as individuals and reminds you over & over that the most valuable thing you can give to another person is your time. Money cannot buy time.
Joshua says in the introduction that “This book isn’t about homelessness; it’s about humans and showing up for one another where we can … Thank you for reading and seeing people who can so often be invisible”
Disclosure: I received an advance reader copy of this book free via NetGalley. Whilst thanks go to the author & publisher for the opportunity to read it, all opinions are my own.
#DoSomethingforNothing #NetGalley
Joshua began posting images on social media to amplify the voices that are so often unheard, and has since travelled all over the world to raise the awareness of homeless people and find ways to have their voices heard, often partnering with artists, and this book shares glimpses of his experiences in London, and other cities across the world.
I really liked the way that each chapter was the story of just one person (or in a handful of cases a couple or family) and told their story in a way that really brought out their personality, their uniqueness, and also had the photo of that person before & after their haircut. The pictures were sensitive – they were about the person not their clothes/location/background or anything else.
Overall, this is one of those books that you should read – it makes you see “homeless people” as individuals and reminds you over & over that the most valuable thing you can give to another person is your time. Money cannot buy time.
Joshua says in the introduction that “This book isn’t about homelessness; it’s about humans and showing up for one another where we can … Thank you for reading and seeing people who can so often be invisible”
Disclosure: I received an advance reader copy of this book free via NetGalley. Whilst thanks go to the author & publisher for the opportunity to read it, all opinions are my own.
#DoSomethingforNothing #NetGalley
January 4, 2023
Would give 6 stars if I could. I absolutely devoured this book in less than 2 days.
One of my favorite things about this book is the fact that the author really makes it a point to emphasize the human aspects of all the people he writes about. He uses their names many times throughout each person’s part of the book in an effort to reiterate that they are regular people with names and hopes and dreams and passions and feelings, and he describes the way they talk, the way they laugh, and who they are as people. Joshua also describes their backstories and how they got to living on the street, but he is careful to do this through a lens of empathy and respect rather than sympathy. I really felt like I got to know all of them through the stories he told of them, and I could feel his love and compassion for all of them through his writing.
I used to work with unhoused folks through a mutual aid organization I was a part of, and I got the opportunity to learn a bit about the people I would distribute food to. I remember one of them telling me that one of the hardest parts of living on the streets is the way people would treat them as if they didn’t even exist. As if they were subhuman and/or invisible.
This book reinforces the importance of acknowledging people and treating them as humans. Through his haircuts, Joshua not only provides a service for unhoused people that helps them feel pampered and fresh, he listens to and befriends them and shows them that they are seen and valued.
His book also serves as a reminder that we are all more than our current circumstance.
My only complaint is that I wish it were longer. I didn’t want it to end! I also do wish we got to know more about all the people in the book. For some people, he really went in depth about his encounters with them (such as David and the guy that lived in Boulder whose name I don’t remember but he wrote songs or poetry) which I loved. However, for a few, he didn’t really describe them beyond just that he gave them a haircut. Maybe they didn’t want their stories to be shared in depth, not really sure.
But apart from that, this has quickly turned into one of my favorite books I’ve ever read.
One of my favorite things about this book is the fact that the author really makes it a point to emphasize the human aspects of all the people he writes about. He uses their names many times throughout each person’s part of the book in an effort to reiterate that they are regular people with names and hopes and dreams and passions and feelings, and he describes the way they talk, the way they laugh, and who they are as people. Joshua also describes their backstories and how they got to living on the street, but he is careful to do this through a lens of empathy and respect rather than sympathy. I really felt like I got to know all of them through the stories he told of them, and I could feel his love and compassion for all of them through his writing.
I used to work with unhoused folks through a mutual aid organization I was a part of, and I got the opportunity to learn a bit about the people I would distribute food to. I remember one of them telling me that one of the hardest parts of living on the streets is the way people would treat them as if they didn’t even exist. As if they were subhuman and/or invisible.
This book reinforces the importance of acknowledging people and treating them as humans. Through his haircuts, Joshua not only provides a service for unhoused people that helps them feel pampered and fresh, he listens to and befriends them and shows them that they are seen and valued.
His book also serves as a reminder that we are all more than our current circumstance.
My only complaint is that I wish it were longer. I didn’t want it to end! I also do wish we got to know more about all the people in the book. For some people, he really went in depth about his encounters with them (such as David and the guy that lived in Boulder whose name I don’t remember but he wrote songs or poetry) which I loved. However, for a few, he didn’t really describe them beyond just that he gave them a haircut. Maybe they didn’t want their stories to be shared in depth, not really sure.
But apart from that, this has quickly turned into one of my favorite books I’ve ever read.
May 11, 2021
DO SOMETHING FOR NOTHING: SEEING BENEATH THE SURFACE OF HOMELESSNESS, THROUGH THE SIMPLE ACT OF A HAIRCUT is compiled and written by Joshua Coombes.
DO SOMETHING FOR NOTHING is published by Akashic Books. I received an ARC (Advance Publication Copy) in exchange for reading and reviewing the book. Thank You.
Joshua Coombes is a hairdresser. “In 2015, while working at a London hair salon, Joshua Coombes took to the streets with his scissors to build relationships with people sleeping rough in the capital; he began posting transformative images on social media to amplify their voices.” (book cover)
The format of the book is a large, oversized paperback with black & white and muted color photographs. The ‘chapters’ are cities Joshua Coombes has visited and interacted with people on the street - London, New York City, Washington, D.C., Denver, Boulder, San Fransisco, Los Angeles, Tijuana, Mumbai, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Amsterdam and Paris.
The Introduction and Afterword - both are very emotional and inspiring.
Joshua says in the Introduction that “This book isn’t about homelessness; it’s about humans and showing up for one another where we can.”
I would use words acceptance and empathy to describe this book. Indeed, the key to this book, the core of this book is empathy and acceptance. (Please see pp. 178, 179 & 216)
I love to read and think about what I have read. I think reading, whatever the genre, changes one in unpredictable and often, meaningful ways. DO SOMETHING FOR NOTHING changed me in some very dramatic ways and I am grateful. Thank you to kind people everywhere. *****
DO SOMETHING FOR NOTHING is published by Akashic Books. I received an ARC (Advance Publication Copy) in exchange for reading and reviewing the book. Thank You.
Joshua Coombes is a hairdresser. “In 2015, while working at a London hair salon, Joshua Coombes took to the streets with his scissors to build relationships with people sleeping rough in the capital; he began posting transformative images on social media to amplify their voices.” (book cover)
The format of the book is a large, oversized paperback with black & white and muted color photographs. The ‘chapters’ are cities Joshua Coombes has visited and interacted with people on the street - London, New York City, Washington, D.C., Denver, Boulder, San Fransisco, Los Angeles, Tijuana, Mumbai, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Amsterdam and Paris.
The Introduction and Afterword - both are very emotional and inspiring.
Joshua says in the Introduction that “This book isn’t about homelessness; it’s about humans and showing up for one another where we can.”
I would use words acceptance and empathy to describe this book. Indeed, the key to this book, the core of this book is empathy and acceptance. (Please see pp. 178, 179 & 216)
I love to read and think about what I have read. I think reading, whatever the genre, changes one in unpredictable and often, meaningful ways. DO SOMETHING FOR NOTHING changed me in some very dramatic ways and I am grateful. Thank you to kind people everywhere. *****
January 9, 2024
This series of short personal essays from hairdresser-turned-content creator Joshua Coombes and accompanying photographs by various photographer friends was a great holiday read... one of those that renews one's faith in the good of humanity.
Coombes visits areas frequented by people experiencing houselessness in major cities around the world and gets to know folks sleeping rough, offering them a haircut if they want it. While cutting their hair, or simply sharing a coffee, Coombes befriends and hears the stories of people who've fallen down on their luck, often over periods of years. He always puts the humanity, and the voices of, the people he talks to first. The book is very little about him, and really about the stories of those he helps, some of whom make it out of their current situation, and some of whom don't. What comes across more strongly than Coombes's selflessness is that of the people living on the streets. The communities they form, the way they give to others even when they have so little themselves, challenges every assumption about unhoused people.
Coombes visits areas frequented by people experiencing houselessness in major cities around the world and gets to know folks sleeping rough, offering them a haircut if they want it. While cutting their hair, or simply sharing a coffee, Coombes befriends and hears the stories of people who've fallen down on their luck, often over periods of years. He always puts the humanity, and the voices of, the people he talks to first. The book is very little about him, and really about the stories of those he helps, some of whom make it out of their current situation, and some of whom don't. What comes across more strongly than Coombes's selflessness is that of the people living on the streets. The communities they form, the way they give to others even when they have so little themselves, challenges every assumption about unhoused people.
November 28, 2022
A friend of mine who works closely with the homeless population read this book. The author, a former hairstylist, makes a point of going out on on the streets and meeting people where they are. When the time is right, he offers them a bit of dignity in the form of a haircut. The book is a collection of the before and after photos and the people that he meets.
There is nothing deep in this book, he doesn't discuss the why of homelessessness or how to solve, just a personal approach. As always, a reminder to be grateful for the things in my life.
There is nothing deep in this book, he doesn't discuss the why of homelessessness or how to solve, just a personal approach. As always, a reminder to be grateful for the things in my life.
July 16, 2021
An incredible book. We’ve all seen homeless people in the street and wondered how they got there, what their story is and if they are ok - but just kept on walking. Josh has been brave & vulnerable and taken the courage to actually ask these questions whilst treating them with respect, dignity & care. DIGNITY! The dignity is REAL!!! This book inspired me to do something for nothing, and I hope it does for you too.
June 14, 2021
As a hairdresser, who has also been a volunteer with the homeless and women in crisis I could relate to this, but he has taken this so much further and much more profound in his outreach that I was moved to tears. Homelessness can happen to anyone and I wish more people could know the individual person and their story. Please read and share this book.
August 26, 2021
This was a fascinating book. I'm sorry it took so long for me to finish it. I'm afraid the cover put me off. Joshua really travels the world and uncovers some great stories and some lovely faces. A unique look at a worldwide problem. Well written with great photography.
December 5, 2021
Incredibly moving, remarkable how this act of kindness can be transformative. Beautiful stuff that moved me to tears at some point. Though some of the stories made me feel like we could've gone further.
May 22, 2021
A must read. I’m inspired by Joshua’s remarkable story of his experience demonstrating compassion for people experiencing homelessness. The before and after photos with the haircut warmed my heart.
June 2, 2021
Coombes brings us into the world of the fringes, from cities like London, Paris, Amsterdam, Boulder, Sydney, and San Francisco. In an unpretentious and non condescending way, invites us to listen to these stories that we would otherwise have never heard or paid attention to. And without mention, tells us to be on the lookout for the ways we can meet others where they’re at, and maybe even do something good, for nothing. ❤️🩹
August 21, 2021
This one got me thinking "what can I do?"
April 4, 2022
Profound book for seeing others as ourselves
April 21, 2023
Beautifully written, both powerful and full of hope
January 19, 2024
NYPL book
April 4, 2025
the world needs more people like Joshua
November 9, 2022
Given the current climate, I thought something a little more uplifting might be a better choice & couldn't have picked a better book!
I sincerely loved everything about this book, this man & this movement. Pick this up, read it, learn from it. It’ll make you smile & also make you want to help make a change.
I sincerely loved everything about this book, this man & this movement. Pick this up, read it, learn from it. It’ll make you smile & also make you want to help make a change.
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