Craig recognised for going above and beyond- a win for the whole SBSW team
“When I started Short Back & Sidewalks I had no real connection to the social services sector.”
“I was just a bloke wanting to help other people doing it tough.”
Craig Hollywood has won the Outstanding Contribution: Going above and beyond category at the Community Services Excellence Awards for his significant impact to the sector and dedication to improving the lives of others.
He started Short Back & Sidewalks (SBSW) in a Northbridge carpark, where a few volunteers gave haircuts free of charge and free of judgement to people experiencing homelessness and poverty.
It was a simple idea that has gone on to create thousands of positive connections across Australia with some of the most marginalised members of the community.
“Being recognised by the WA social services sector is something I will always be proud of,” said Craig.
“All I wanted to do was reduce the stigma around homelessness and that starts with a conversation and a positive connection, something our clients get with a haircut.”
SBSW is currently expanding across regional WA and building strong relationships with service providers along the way. Craig said it was clear on the night how much work Chief Executive Officer Natalie Jenkins and Operations Manager Elaine Healy have put into building those connections.
“It speaks volumes about the impact Short Back & Sidewalks has made that we had a working relationship with pretty much every WA service provider that were nominated at the awards,” he said.
SBSW CEO Natalie Jenkins said they’re proud of Craig for receiving the recognition for going above and beyond.
“He has made a significant impact through Short Back & Sidewalks and his dedication to improving the lives of our most marginalised community members,” she said.
“We’re so pleased to see him recognised from within the social services sector.”
SBSW were also a finalist in the 'Trailblazing Small Organisation Catalysts of Community Innovation' category.
“Congratulations to Healing Smiles on their well-deserved win, as well as all other finalists in this category who are doing trailblazing work in the community,” said Natalie.
Craig shared his win with Oscar Colbung from Southern Aboriginal Corporation.
The Awards are a collaboration between WACOSS, Department of Communities, Department of the Premier and Cabinet, and Council of Aboriginal Services Western Australia (CASWA).
Read more about the other award winners and finalists: https://cseawards.org.au/
